Big Bend Road Trip, Part 1: Natural North Florida–Yankeetown to Suwannee Town

Florida’s Big Bend has long been a preferred destination of travelers and tourists. This unspoiled region we call “Natural North Florida” encompasses the Gulf of Mexico coastline, and has developed largely along the spine formed by US19 and US98. On it’s interior US27, US90, US 301, US441 and Interstate Highways 75 and 10 have attracted …

Take A Virtual Vacation to Yankeetown, Florida—A Fisherman’s Paradise

Take A Break and Take a Virtual Vacation in Natural North Florida Spring 2020 has brought a sllowdown to Florida tourism, and tourism worldwide.. Our Visit Natural North Florida region has slowed, too, and with the restrictions of social distancing and travel we’re all dreaming of better times to come. And we hope that potential …

It’s All About Seafood….Florida’s Big Bend Shellfish Trail

Experience fresh, local seafood along Florida’s Big Bend Life on Florida’s Big Bend, especially in the coastal communities of Taylor, Dixie and Levy counties revolves around seafood, especially shellfish. Not only are oysters, clams, shrimp and crabs available at local eateries, they’re available at seafood retailers, often “fresh off the boat”. Certain species. like bay …

Follow Your Dream To The Blackwater Grill in Yankeetown, FL

In the summer of 1961, Elvis Presley spent almost two months in the Yankeetown area, filming “Follow That Dream“.  It’s anyone’s guess why Elvis’ producers picked this sleepy Levy County town on the banks of the Withlacoochee River, but it’s solitary location might just be the reason.  Yankeetown is historic, and has grown little since …

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 …

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.  …

35th Annual Yankeetown Seafood Festival, November 19 & 20, 2016

Fall is here and Yankeetown’s famous “no-see-ums”* have succumbed to the cool weather, making a walk through the annual Seafood Festival lots of fun for the entire family.  Yankeetown is a historic town on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and is the southernmost town in our Natural North Florida region. It’s located on SR40, just west of …

Fishing October’s Lower Tides on the Gulf Coast

One thing I can’t predict is the weather or wind, and it turned out that we had a fair amount of the latter this past weekend when Hurricane Matthew chewed up Florida’s east coast.  Big storms like Matthew produce winds on both coasts. However, it looked like our fish didn’t really care. Trout and reds …

Warmer Water and Air Temperatures Drive Snook North Into Florida’s Nature Coast

Snook are one of Florida’s most popular gamefish Traditionally, in years past, West Florida’s snook population remained south of our Natural North Florida waters.  That was largely due to cold winters, which either run snook into warm residential canals on the upper suncoast, or kill them outright.  However, winters over the last ten or twelve …

Natural North Florida Overcomes Hurricane Hermine

Hurricane Hermine comes ashore on Florida’s Big Bend, September 1, 2016 with minimal hurricane force winds. We’re a tough, resilient bunch in Natural North Florida.  When Hurricane Hermine hit just east of St. Marks in Wakulla and Jefferson counties on September 1, 2016 it had been a full decade since we’d had a similar event.  …