Author: Tommy Thompson
Island Grove Winery Fall Winery Festival, Saturday November 7, 2015, Island Grove, FL
Yes, Florida is producing some very nice wines, and while many Florida wineries have appeared over recent years, there are few as big and sophisticated as Island Grove Wine Company in Alachua County. Located just east of Gainesville, near Cross Creek, at Citra, this place produces some very tasty products. And, on Saturday, November 7, …
Fish Natural North Florida’s “Dog Head” in Taylor County Gulf Waters
Each fall, anglers departing Steinhatchee or Keaton Beach ask me about the best place to drift and catch spotted seatrout. My standard answer is “Dog Head”. A staple of our Big Bend fishery, seatrout hang out over lush grass beds, hunting for the pinfish, white bait and crustaceans that swim there. And successful anglers, …
“Artist Naturalists in Florida-Then and Now” Exhibit in Gainesville, 10/30-12/11/15
This exhibit, at Gainesville’s Doris Bardon Community Cultural Center, features about 45 paintings and photographys by artists such as Diane Harm, William Bartram, Mark Catesby and J.J. Audobon. The exhibit runs through December 11 at “The Doris”, 1315 S. Main Street, Gainesville. When Doris Bardon passed away in 2006, she bequeathed funds to further her …
Fiddlefest and Cane Boil at Gainesville’s Morningside Nature Center, November 28, 2015
This event is held each year the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and combines traditions of giving thanks and fall harvest with live fiddle, banjo and string-band music, which were major influences on American entertainment for more than 150 years. Bring your holiday guests, friends and family out to Morningside’s beautiful Living History Farm to experience the …
The Best Fishing at Suwannee—and Maybe At Cedar Key—Suwannee Sound
October’s cooling waters seem to have a positive effect on the fishing in Suwannee Sound, the stretch of rugged coastline between the mouth of the Suwannee River and Cedar Key. Keeper seatrout have moved off the deep flats. While not yet holed up in the rivers and creeks, they’re moving closer to shore, especially around …
Kayak to Atsena Otie Key—An Easy and Informative Trip at Florida’s Cedar Keys
The locals call it “Seenie Otie” but it’s official name is Atsena Otie Key, It lies just about a quarter mile south of the boat basin at Cedar Key. And it offers some interesting sights to see if you paddle across the sound. Cedar Key was once a railroad terminus and western shipping point for …
Steinhatchee’s Northwest Territory–Great Florida Fishing!
The close-in coastline south of Steinhatchee often gets more than its fair share of attention by anglers, especially during the cool early-winter months. There are, of course, a couple of good reasons. First, the bottom is rockier there, providing shelter and warmth for the bait fish and crustaceans that are of interest to inshore species …
Visit The La Chua Trail and Alachua Sink at Payne’s Prairie State Park
Paynes Prairie is biologically, geologically and historically unique. This park became Florida´s first state preserve in 1971 and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark. Noted artist and naturalist William Bartram called it the great Alachua Savannah when he wrote about his visit to the prairie in 1774. Depending on the season you visit …
Meet Baseball Great Wade Boggs, Saturday, October 31 at Island Grove Wine Company, Alachua County, FL
What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon! Yes, to all you Gator and Seminole fans, it’s all about football. But before you get locked down in front of the family TV, why not head east from Gainesville to visit the new Island Grove Wine Company Tasting House and a chance to meet Baseball …
Natural North Florida Springs–Cool in Summer, Warm in Winter
Our Natural North Florida counties (Alachua, Gilchrist, Levy, Dixie, Taylor, Madison, Jefferson, Union, Lafayette and Wakulla) have the largest concentration of natural freshwater springs in the world. And, when the weather gets hot, they’re the perfect place to cool off. However, visitors and residents flock to the springs, and their contant 72-degree water temperatures, when …