wakulla county
Meet Natural North Florida’s Own “Buck”
There’s been plenty of buzz lately about the documentary “Buck,” a biography of horse whisperer Buck Brannaman. But North Florida has its own Buck, Trey Young of Crawfordville’s 3Y Ranch. Like Buck, Trey is a master of Natural Horsemanship, where trainers use calm, gentle interactions to introduce a colt to riding or to remediate problem …
Try Posh for Sopchoppy Shopping (Say THAT Five Times Fast!)
The rough-hewn exterior of Posh Organics and Gifts exudes the rustic charm you’ll find by the bucketload in Sopchoppy, but inside, you’ll be bowled over by the selection of fair-trade products from coffee to chocolate, local and world music, handcrafted jewelry and natural bath and beauty items. Browse the aisles of hand-milled soaps, soy candles, …
Seafood with a View at Posey’s Dockside
When you’re in Panacea, it’s hard to resist the lure of the water, and come dinnertime, dining bayfront seems like a no-brainer. With seafood and a great view in mind, we headed to Posey’s Dockside. From the painted pirate that greets you on your approach to the fishing boats tied up at the neighboring docks, …
On the Trail of White Squirrels in Wakulla County
Reading through the brochure the ranger gave us as we entered Ochlockonee River State Park in Sopchoppy, I noticed a brief mention of the rare white squirrels in the park. “Patient park visitors may be rewarded with a glimpse,” I read aloud to the family. No sooner had we stepped out of the car than …
Heaven Scent: Rose’s Botanicals Soap Factory and Gift Shop
The aromas of Rose’s Botanicals soaps are pleasantly subtle — they smell fantastic, but these all-natural soaps don’t knock you over the way artificial ingredients do. At the Stone Crab Festival in St. Marks, I must have smelled 25 different scents of soap: It’s that hard to choose just one. In addition to the lovely …
Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, Panacea
One of Natural North Florida’s hidden treasures is Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory, which I recently visited with my family. We were blown away by the variety of sea life at the aquarium and the fact that, unlike typical attractions, you can touch nearly everything there! We dipped our hands into tanks with starfish, crabs, fish …
Spotted in Natural North Florida: Motorcycle Watchdog
Just as much as the wildlife, outdoor activities and Southern culture in Natural North Florida, I love the peoplewatching — or in this case, dogwatching. Here’s an “only in Natural North Florida” moment captured outside Savannah’s Country Buffet in Crawfordville. Looks like this pup is earning his keep by protecting his owners’ bike while they …
Biking St. Marks
A town as scenic, laid-back and traffic-free as St. Marks just begs to be explored on two wheels. Biking allows you to hop off and explore the places you notice along your meandering route, and you’re far more likely to notice them when you’re traveling at a relaxed pace in the open air instead of …
San Marcos de Apalache: A Peaceful Spot with a Turbulent History
This park doesn’t look like much from outside: In fact, you could walk right past it without ever realizing the fascinating, turbulent, globe-sweeping history it contains. But step inside San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park in St. Marks, and you’re swept up in a story that begins in 1528. That’s when Panfilo de Narvaez …
Shell Island Fish Camp in St. Marks: Not Just for Fishermen
For me, fishing is mainly an excuse to be around boats and water. Catching something is almost irrelevant. Nevertheless, I love staying at Shell Island Fish Camp when I visit St. Marks. You can’t beat toddling down to the marina’s store for a cup of coffee and enjoying it on the docks as the sun …