I’ve put together a few short videos of some spots that I’ve visited in the last few days. Ever get that urge to just drive around and see what’s shaking at certain places that you haven’t been to in a while? I took a good drive all through the Withlacoochee State Forest, stopped out at Lizzie Hart Sink, Tillis Hill, and Mutual Mine. After that, I headed over to Homosassa and hung out at Macrae’s for a little while. I always love the vibe of old Homosassa down by the water. Lots of people having a good time, boats coming in, others being launched.
The last stop was out at the Chassowitzka River Campground and boat ramp. This is one of my favorite places to just go sit and watch people launching kayaks and small boats. It’s got that old fish camp feel that you can hardly find these days.
Check back tomorrow, I’ll post one or all of the videos as time permits.
Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Holiday!
Looking for a great social network just for outdoors folks? Head on over to Hiker’s Journal! You can set up your own personal page, participate in the forums, and add videos and pictures.
Rory Partalis is a great guy from Atlanta and has put together one of my favorite sites to visit. Get on over to Hiker’s Journal!
This probably will offend a lot of so-called purists, but I communicate via wireless broadband while outdoors. I’m frequently thumb-typing away on my cell phone, updating Twitter and sending Qik videos wherever possible. Some might say that this type of activity takes away from the reason why a lot people retreat to trails and other remote areas – to escape the day-to-day grind and the constant distractions that consume our lives.
I admit, I don’t like it too much when people talk a whole bunch on their cell phone while outdoors either. There’s a fine line between keeping people informed on your whereabouts and being annoying. Letting someone know that you are fine and the trip is going well and as planned is one thing, but blabbing on and on to your cousin in Shreveport about when the next Phish concert is or how much beer you drank the night before is a little inconsiderate. We’ve all experienced these people at trail shelters, campsites, or passing by in a canoe, right? Right.
This is what makes services like Qik and Twitter great for updating friends and family while on a long hike or a multi-day adventure. You’ll be hard pressed here in Florida to find a place where you can’t find a decent enough signal to send a text message. Sending live video with Qik allows for others to share a little bit of your adventure, and Twitter messages can provide a discreet way to pass along updates on how your outing is going. Doing this while a bunch of folks are not around or not making a spectacle out of yourself are both good things. Now you can use technology to stay safe, inform others of your location, and share your adventures without being that guy whose phone will probably end up in the campfire.
I’ve submitted the term “Treets” to be added to the Twittonary. It’s derived from Trail Tweets, and can be used to let people know that you are sending a tweet while out hiking, biking, trail running – whatever. Here are some examples:
“Latest treet – just passed the A-B connector. Should be at campsite in two hours.”
Or:
“Holy treet! I think I just saw a Skunk Ape!”
Be on the lookout for interesting treets from me here: twitter.com/kevinmims (and follow me!) and come up with some more outdoor phrases to add to the Twittonary. Now, hit the trail and do some treeting!
One of my homies over at VISIT FLORIDA just sent me a link to The Sunshine Expedition, a 2,800 mile paddling and hiking journey around Florida. Jodi Eller, Matt Keene, and Matt Gallagher are true adventurers!
They are also using SPOT, so you can track their progress in real-time. This should be fun! Currently they are in the Crystal River / Homosassa area.
Be sure to check out The Sunshine Expedition website. Link it, Tweet it, Digg and Stumble. Tell your friends, shout it out in the supermarket checkout line, whatever - just help get the word out!
“Man, I’m really hungry. I haven’t had anything to eat since that carton of rotten eggs yesterday,” Larry the Raccoon said with a groan to Phil, his younger brother. ”That’s not true,” Phil replied. ”I gave you half of the ham sandwich I found over in Bin #3, remember?”
“That’s right, you did, but - hey, what’s that smell?” Larry said as he excitedly hopped up on a sawed piece of pine log. ”Smells good, and smells like dinner to me, Phil. Let’s investigate!”
Moving with extreme stealth and masked by the impending dusk, Larry and Phil moved through the sea of palmettos, crouching just outside the perimeter of the campsite. ”Ooh, Larry, that’s Progresso Steak and Mushroom soup, we’ve gotta get our mitts on some of that! That bald guy looks like a pushover, Larry,” Phil whispered. “He’s too busy taking video of his tent to see us. Move, move, move!”
That’s what I imagine the conversation between the little masked bandits who ran off with my Jetboil cup, which was full of piping hot Progresso soup, on an overnight stay at Juniper Prairie campground in the Ocala National Forest. I donned my headlamp and stomped around in the palmettos surrounding the campsite, but it was too late. The damage was done.
I’ve since purchased a replacement Jetboil cup, but I’m still sort of upset about losing the original one. I knew my Jetboil made others envious, but never imagined it being jacked by two crazy raccoons. Better than a bear, I guess.
The picture here was taken moments before the crime. If you are at Juniper Springs, make sure you watch your stuff. It’s a great place, but the critters are bonkers there. You’ve been warned.
Ready for a wild ride? Join Pangea Adventure Racing at the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area in Orange County this Saturday, December 6, 2008 and take part in this trail event that’s strictly for bikes.
There’s two main divisions to this race - a 2 hour Sport division, and a longer 3 hour Elite division.
Want more information? Visit Pangea Adventure Racing and register for this awesome adventure race!
Free day-use admission to all Florida State Parks will be offered Tuesday, November 11, in celebration of Veterans Day.
“We support and appreciate our veterans, active-duty military members, their families and continued contributions to our society,” said Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock. “Through the multiple state parks that protect, preserve and interpret Florida’s historical and cultural past, Florida’s state parks remain committed to honoring our nation’s heroes.”
Battle re-enactments and Native American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage. Florida’s state parks are also home to the 2008 Best Beach in the nation. Caladesi Island State Park, located off the coast of Southwest Florida in Pinellas County, was honored with this coveted award.
With 160 parks located throughout the state, you will surely find one near you. Florida state parks offer endless outdoor recreation opportunities, so spend the day outside at a crystal-clear spring, take a hike on a scenic trail, or paddle down a river. Whatever activity you choose, have a wonderful adventure at one of Florida’s award-winning state parks this Veterans Day!
Situated on one of only three original stands of Royal Palms in Florida, the natural beauty of Collier-Seminole State Park is not to be missed. Nature and history buffs alike will appreciate the park’s feel that seems more Caribbean than Florida. Collier-Seminole State Park is also home to the historic Bay City Walking Dredge, an engineering marvel which was used to build the Tamiami Trail Highway, connecting Tampa to Miami.
Collier-Seminole has so much to offer visitors: remarkable beauty, interesting and important Florida history, all sorts of recreational opportunities - not to mention full service facilities that will keep you camping in comfort.
So you see why I chose Collier-Seminole State Park as my “basecamp” for my three-day stay in the Everglades, right?
My wife and I were in the area attending the annual Clyde Butcher Muck-About, which was a huge success and was one of the coolest outdoors events that I have attended. It’s scheduled next year for September 5-7, don’t miss it!
Anyway, back to Collier-Seminole State Park. Of course, during our stay, Hurricane Gustav decided to stir things up a little bit during the evening hours, but the days were perfect. After spending some time each day at the Big Cypress Gallery, we would come back and explore the park. I really need some time to explore the park itself - from kayaking the Blackwater River and the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge - to hiking/wading the 6.1-mile loop trail that is situated on the north side of U.S. 41. Although I was somewhat disappointed that I didn’t get to take a paddle or a good hike, I know I will be back soon to experience the area further.
To your right - just past the park entrance - you’ll notice a big ‘ol hulk of a machine, that’s the Bay City Walking Dredge, the last dredge of this type in the United States. Make sure to check it out, it’s an interesting piece of Florida history, and also makes a great photo opportunity.
I could go on and on about Collier-Seminole, but the nice folks at the Florida State Parks have all the information you need, visit http://www.floridastateparks.org/collier-seminole/default.cfm to learn more.
Check out the video, and here are some pictures in the gallery.
I’m in the process of doing a little housecleaning and putting together a new look for wahoohiker.com, please check back later!
Oh, to the guy outside my window, you can go home as well. You are starting to freak me out. I promise I’ll get wahoohiker.com up and running soon.
It snowed this morning! Snow, sleet - whatever. We don’t get much of either, so anything that collects and is icy white gets called snow. We’ve had a week or so of really strange weather! Video taken in Inverness, Florida with a Canon Powershot SD780 IS.
Mullet, manatees, Crevalle Jack - you can see so much aquatic life at the Fish Bowl. There’s both freshwater and saltwater fish here!
Just a little video of a rainy day at the Iron Bridge area in the Withlacoochee State Forest. I just sat there (rain jacket on, of course) and watched it rain for about an hour. Good stuff.
Check out these cats riding in the Vortex area of Santos on the Cross Florida Greenway. Me? I stuck with the Puppy Trail, thank you very much.
I got a chance to go up to the top of Bok Tower! Now, not every Tom, Dick, and Harry gets to go up there, you have to be somebody to gain access to this incredible structure. That said, I’m not too sure how I got in…
Visit www.boktowergardens.org for more information on this amazing [...]
So I was stingy and never shared this video here with you, my loyal fans. It’s been sitting on my YouTube channel, but for some reason I didn’t post it here. Sorry, homeboys and homegirls, hopefully you will be nice and give me a pass this time, it won’t happen again.
We all know and faithfully [...]
