natural north florida
Gainesville Area’s “Big City” Farmers’ Markets Bustle in Fall
While mostly rural, the 11-county region we call “Natural North Florida” has one large urban area. Gainesville and Alachua County are large, that is, if you count the 75,000-plus college students at the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. Without those venerable institutions, you’d see fewer Publix Supermarkets and more roadside farmers’ markets! Not …
“Early Birds” Catch The Fish–Summertime Fishing on Florida’s Big Bend
There are several reasons to get up early and go fishing on hot summer days. One, if you’re fishing from one of our busy scalloping areas (Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach, St. Marks), you’ll beat the crowds to the water. Another, the weather is more likely to be calm, unlike the afternoons when thunderstorms usually develop. The …
Boat Rentals at St. Marks and Steinhatchee on Florida’s Natural North Florida Gulf Coast
Not everyone has a boat (AKA a hole in the water in which to pour money!). And not everyone needs to have a boat if they only use it a couple of times each year. Florida’s recreational bay scallop season, running from June to September each year, is the perfect time to rent a boat …
Cool Off In Gornto Springs–A Dixie County Favorite!
There are many “plain ‘ol swimmin’ holes” left anymore. Many have been privatized and others (for the better) have been turned into state parks. One of my favorites is Gornto Spring, sometimes referred to as Guaranto Spring, in Dixie County, alongside the Suwannee River. Gornto Spring Park has nice restrooms, picnic facilities and a boat …
Don’t Overlook This Species: Ladyfish Are “Elops” of Fun! May 2015
Elops saurus, the ladyfish, is one of the great species of Gulf game fish. They offer lots of fun but not much table value. Many consider them junk fish, but serious anglers and guides find them game with light tackle or fly rods. Bait pods are now showing up in near shore big Bend waters, …
“Customer Fish”: Catch Fish–And Let Someone Else Cook Them!
Yes, you’ll still have to clean your catch, but in many coastal settlements and towns along our Natural North Florida coast, there are restaurants with “customer fish” on the menu. There’s nothing quite like fish, fresh from the Gulf, served in the comfort of a restaurant, and usually accompanied by side dishes like grits, butter …
Paddle Natural North Florida’s Suwannee River Wilderness Trail: October 22 – 27, 2015
While there seems like plenty of time to sign up for this excellent paddling adventure, be advised that it’s very popular and the limit fills quickly. So….act now! And if you’d like to see an itinerary of the trip, click on https://www.naturalnorthflorida.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/suwannee_trip_itinerary_2015-599498116b4fe34b99b6584b7f03a85a.pdf More information can be found on the Paddle Florida website at: www.paddleflorida.org Here …
It’s Officially “Spring-Time” In Natural North Florida’s State and County Parks
Easter weekend means lots of things to lots of people. In Natural North Florida, especially in our State and County parks, the Easter weekend and the passage into springtime really means “Spring-time”! Florida’s Karst geology has created a complex (and fragile!) underground network of rivers that course through limestone rock, occasionally popping up in the …
Water Temperatures Cross The 70-Degree Threshold on Florida’s Big Bend–And The March Fishing Is Great!
This past week (the first week of March 2015), Gulf of Mexico water temperatures finally crossed over the 70-degree mark. And the BITE IS ON! All the ports in our regiion (Yankeetown, Waccasassa, Cedar Key, Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach, Econfina, Aucilla, St. Marks and Panacea) report great catches of spotted seatrout and redfish, …
Levy County Fair, April 9-12, 2015
Guaranteed to be a fun time for the whole family, the Levy County Fair will have livestock exhibits, rides, games, pig races, music–and a beauty contest! Located at the fairgrounds in Williston, it’s an easy trip from Gainesville and other Natural North Florida locations. The Levy County Fairgrounds is located at SW 19th Avenue in …