Outdoors and Nature
Our Outdoor and Nature experts, Sandra Friend and John Keatley, travel around the region exploring the fabulous springs, rivers, trails, and hidden treasures that make up our ten county Natural North Florida region.
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 …
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, …
3-Day Trip: Wildlife Watching in North Florida
North Florida’s wet and warm climate is home to an assortment of unique and exotic wildlife. The forests are filled with woodland animals such as foxes, squirrels and snakes. The beaches are spotted with a wide variety of birds and other aquatic wildlife. And, state nature trails are filled with lizards, insects and creatures of …
Rum138: More Than A Paddling Destination in Southern Columbia County
Travelers to the springs areas of Natural North Florida near High Springs often ask me about Rum138. Doug and Merrillee Jipson’s lovingly-presented creation is hard to explain. There, you’ll find an excellent kayak and canoe outfitter, a first-rate art gallery–and you can even get your hair styled! Rum138 is definitely worth a visit, if for …
The “411” on Fishing Steinhatchee’s North Shore in Winter Months
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 …
Hike, Bike, Swim, Camp and Paddle at Florida’s O’Leno State Park
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, …
Give The Gift Of A Santa Fe River Paddling Trip This Holiday Season–or Anytime
Natural North Florida’s Santa Fe River can be crowded during the warmer months (we really don’t have cold month!) so late fall and winter are the perfect time to enjoy the solitude and beauty of the river. An easy and fun trip is from the US27 Bridge in High Springs to Columbia County’s park at …
Natural North Florida RV Parks and Campground Info Available, December 2015
There are numerous RV Parks and Campgrounds in our 12-county Natural North Florida region. Some offer primitive camping and others offer cabins and full RV hookups. We also have several State and County Parks with camping, as well as private campgrounds. We have recently published a limited number of brochures listing the RV Parks and …
3-Day Trip: North Florida Landscapes: Parks, Trails, and Springs
The roads of North Florida are not only extremely navigable, but also showcase the beautiful landscapes of Florida’s northern countryside. These highways and byways make for perfect family road trips, weekend excursions for couples or adventures for individual travelers. The roads cut through countless outdoor activities, which make for great spots to get out of …
“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 …