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.
Natural North Florida’s Gilchrist Blue Springs is Now Florida’s Newest State Park, 11/1/17
Florida now has 175 State Parks, and everyone’s excited that the transition from private to public for Gilchrist Blue Springs is now a “done deal”. The property, which contains six natural springs and includes approximately one mile of frontage along the Santa Fe River, has been providing recreational opportunities as a private park since 1958. …
Mermaids Discovered in Natural North Florida’s Freshwater Springs!
Well, sorta…. Everyone knows that mermaids and mer-men are saltwater creatures, but there’s been a recent uptick in the sighting of these half-human/half-fish in the freshwater springs in our Natural North Florida region. A recent Mermaid Meet-Up at Ginnie Springs, near High Springs, in Gilchrist County, Florida If you’re lucky, you’ll see informal “mermaid meet-ups” …
Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing Tournament, Saturday, November 4, 2017
Get Hooked…In Taylor County Florida, Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing Tournament. the tournament will be held on November 4, 2017. Guaranteed Payout! $2,500 in Cash & Prizes Call 850-584-5366 for more information! Click link for application and more information! … Visit Website Here’s some professional advice about fishing the Taylor County shoreline for this tournament: Pay …
Big Bend Shellfish Trail–Florida’s Working Waterfront Communities
Shellfish harvest and consumption in Florida is an important facet of the maritime heritage of many coastal towns. Natural North Florida’s Big Bend has several towns that still harbor local shellfish fisheries. These working waterfront communities are places where present day fishers carry on the traditions of past generations. The Big Bend Shellfish Trail Map …
Big Parks, Big Springs–Small Parks, Small Springs–A Few Suwannee River Favorites!
The Swanee River (Old Folks at Home) words and music by Stephen C. Foster (1826-1864) FIRST VERSE Way down upon de Swanee Ribber, Far, far away, Dere’s wha my heart is turning ebber, Dere’s wha de old folks stay. All up and down de whole creation Sadly I roam, Still longing for de old plantation, …
Take A Scenic Drive Along Natural North Florida’s US90–Monticello to Madison
When visitors come to Natural North Florida, they’re often surprised to find rolling hills and historic towns with no beaches or amusement parks. However, a drive across Florida’s Jefferson and Madison counties can easily change your perception of our little-known and lightly-traveled region. US90 is a major American highway. In fact, it begins in California …
Save The Dates: Natural North Florida’s Fall 2017 Music Festivals
As summer winds down in Natural North Florida, residents and visitors alike flock to our famous music and food festivals. It seems that every year, the number of events increase, as do their quality and breadth. In 2017, three are of particular note. In Hamilton County, just north of I-10 and east of I-75, the …
Paddle Florida’s Big Bend Coastline At The 2017 Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure, October 11-14
If you’re an avid paddler, consider joining 99 others at the 2017 Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure. This year’s 4 day trip will depart the Steinhatchee River and head south to Yankeetown, on the scenic Withlacoochee River. On the trip, you’ll see wildlife and “Natural North Florida” at places like Horseshoe Beach, Suwannee, and Cedar Key. …
2017 Bay Scalloping On Florida’s Nature Coast–An Abundance of Tasty Bivalves!
It’s July, and Natural North Florida’s 2017 recreational bay scallop harvest is off to a roaring start. The harvest began on June 16 for the waters from Suwannee (in Dixie County) to the Fenholloway River (in Taylor County) and ends on September 10. The remainder of Taylor County, all of Levy County, Jefferson and Wakulla …
Three Natural North Florida Springs–Free For All!
Some of the best things in our Natural North Florida region are free, and that’s especially true when it comes to three of our smaller springs. While we have the largest concentration of first and second magnitude freshwater springs in the world, these county-maintained “swimming holes” in Jefferson, Columbia and Alachua counties are fun–and FREE! …