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Anyway, here’s some video of Flat Island and the Daubenmire Trail.  You can learn more about this property here:

http://www.floridatrail.org/Hikes/centralflorida/Daubenmire.html

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“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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Man, have I been busy this year.  Outdoor events, hikes, runs, biking, kayaking, autograph sessions (well, maybe not) - I’ve been all over the place.  My blog posts and videos are stacking up, unfinished and sitting in limbo until I can squeeze in some time between work and events.  I’m not complaining, mind you, it’s just that if I continue this pace I’ll have to quit my day job and dedicate all my time to telling you fine folks about my adventures.  Darn.

So I found myself Saturday, September 20th at Silver River State Park out at the 2008 Marion Springs Festival, wandering around from one environmental display to the next, all the while being amazed at the amount of families that were in attendance.  The Springsfest draws a large crowd, featuring live music, good eats, guided hikes and paddles, seminars - everything related to preserving Florida’s diminishing natural resources.  

I got a chance to talk a little bit with Lucy Beebe Tobias, author of 50 Great Walks in Florida.  If you are looking for tips and information regarding Florida travel and history, Lucy’s got the answers.  She also serves as VISITFLORIDA’s Authentic Florida Expert, and since I’m the VISITFLORIDA Outdoors and Nature guy, that makes her and I colleagues, I suppose.  I feel sort of strange about that, since she and the other VISITFLORIDA experts are well-known and well-respected in their fields.  Me?  I’m just a goof with a outdoors blog, thank you very much.  

Discovery Kayak Tours busied themselves with guided river trips and their booth was constantly packed with people wanting more information on kayaking, which they provided with expertise and a smile.  I also sat in on a hiking seminar and slideshow with Sandra Friend, author of too-many-books-to count on Florida hiking.  The seminar was a full house, with no empty seats in the room.  Make sure to visit Sandra’s Florida Hikes! website to find a hike near you.

OK, it’s time for me to hush so you can watch the Marion Springs Fest video.  

Pictures?  I’ve got a few here in the gallery.

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Two firsts were celebrated out at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on September 27th, one being the Inaugural Expedition Everest Challenge 5K, and the other was the fact that this was the first organized race that I have entered.  You heard me right, I crawled out of the woods, shaved, and ran alongside a couple of thousand other people out at Animal Kingdom.  And guess what?  It was pretty cool!

In the past I’ve steered clear from participating in organized runs and other outdoor events, but I had a good time and think I’ll enter some more things in the future.  My wife, who is a better runner than I am, kept me moving the whole time.  I trained for this race mostly by consuming large amounts of fast food and Chek cola.  I need a Chek cola intervention and support group, I can’t kick the habit.

We had to get down to Disney’s Wide World of Sports early and pick up our race packets, after that we drove over to Travel Country Outdoors to check out their fantastic summer porch sale.  As usual, it was worth the trip, there were great deals on all sorts of gear and clothing.

After depleting our checking account at Travel Country, we spent the rest of the time before the race over at the Animal Kingdom Lodge relaxing.  Apparently, lots of other runners had this idea as well, you could see the race armbands on what seemed like every other person there.  

Ever been to Animal Kingdom at night?  Since the park closes at dusk, not too many people have had the opportunity to hang out there after the sun sets. Once the race was over, there was one heck of a Disney-style party located over in DinoLand USA. How all these racers had the energy to boogie down and ride Everest beats the heck out of me. I was whipped. To my defense, I had gotten up really early and spent all morning out at the Croom Crusher Adventure Race, shopping at Travel Country, and consuming sugary beverages.

Well, you know the drill. Watch the video above for some highlights and the awards ceremony (it was too long, so I embedded the YouTube one) and check out the gallery for a couple o’ pics.

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