10 Wonderful Waters For Summer Heat in Natural North Florida

For folks looking to escape the summer heat, Natural North Florida provides countless opportunities to cool down with its extensive collection of springs, rivers, lakes, and coastline. Most of Florida’s 700 identified freshwater springs are located in North Florida or along the Gulf Coast, and more than 40 are open to the public. Our section …

Celebrate Birds–Live Birds of Prey Festival – Saturday, January 30, 2016- First Magnitude Brewery in Gainesville

Live Birds of Prey Festival – Saturday, January 30 – First Magnitude Brewery Join Wild Birds Unlimited at First Magni-tude Brewery from 12-4pm on Saturday, January 30 for an afternoon with live birds of prey from the Apopka-based Avi-an Reconditioning Center (ARC). This year’s event will feature a Bald Eagle and four other species of raptor …

Great Southern Biscuit Company, Mayo, FL–Stop In Soon!

Add to itinerary: Great Southern Biscuit Company There’s a really good “meat-and-three” in Mayo, Florida.  You’ll get some great “down home southern cookin’”, including fried chicken, at the Mayo Cafe on the western edge of town, on US27.  However, if you want something a bit more “hip”, stop by the Great Southern Biscuit Company, next …

Warmer Winter Afternoons Make For Great Fishing in Dixie County’s Horseshoe Cove

Sometimes the best fishing is where it’s hard to go.  That’s especially true of Horseshoe Cove, south of the Horseshoe Beach community in Dixie County.  And when the day starts out cold and warms through the early afternoon, it’s worth a trip to Horseshoe Cove! Whether you’re launching your boat at Horseshoe Beach (there are …

Eat At Cilantro Tacos, A Genuine Tacqueria in Downtown Newberry

Genuine Tacquerias are not supposed to be romantic.  And I’ve found over the years that there’s a difference in decor (and food) between them and “Mexican restaurants”.  Cilantro Tacos, located at 25740 W. Newberry Road, in Newberry (west of Gainesville) fits the bill.  It’s fluorescent lights leave no darkened corners in which to hide, sneaking …

Santa Fe River Fest and Songwriters’ Festival, April 17, 2016, Sponsored by Rum138

This annual fundraising event, now in its sixth year, will include the songwriting contest, music by Terraplane Rhythm & Blues, a great silent auction (art, jewelry, vacations, etc.), Kid’s Corner, 50/50 raffle, music jam session, grilled burgers and dogs, delectable desserts, beer and drinks. Proceeds go to educational and advocacy activities of Our Santa Fe …

If You Fish or Boat on Natural North Florida’s Big Bend– Know Your Weather!

Yes, Florida is warm.  And in winter months, it’s typically warmer than the rest of the country and most of Europe.  But there are times when cold fronts appear and the temperatures get to freezing or just a few degrees below.  For many of us “natives” 60-degrees F is cold! When it comes to boating …

Hungry For A Trout Dinner–Fish Suwannee’s Barnett and Dan May Creeks This Winter!

There are lots of deep holes in creeks and rivers all along our Natural North Florida Gulf coastline, but few are as easily accessed as Dan May and Barnett Creeks.  These creeks are big–as big as many of our coastal rivers–and hold swarms of fat spotted seatrout during cold winter days.   There are several excellent …

Florida’s O’Leno State Park–A Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps

One of Florida’s first state parks, O’Leno State Park was first developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The park is located along the banks of the scenic Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, and features sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps and sandhills. As the river courses through the park, …

2016 Olustee Battle Reenactment and Festival, in Natural North Florida’s Columbia County

2016 Olustee Battle Reenactment An annual re-enactment of a Civil War Batte between the North and the South. Hundreds of re-enactors come from miles around to participate in this historical event. The Annual Olustee Battle Reenactment will be held February 13th & 14th, 2016 at the Olustee Battlefield State Park. This is the famous site of …