Away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, Florida has many quaint, small towns that seem reminiscent of the past. My latest journey took me through Micanopy, pronounced (mick-ah-No-pee). Micanopy, with a population of just over 600, is known as the town that time forgot. You can tell by the antique shops that line the rustic streets. The southern charm immediately drew me in. Way back in 1539 Hernando DeSoto, who I referenced in a previous blog post, encountered…
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History
It’s been a while since I’ve written about or even visited a state park. There is only one thing to blame for that: Florida summer. The heat and humidity can make it a little less desirable to hike through the marshy forest. Luckily DeSoto National Memorial is an excellent mix of history, nature, and beaches. This National Park on the west coast of Florida is believed to have been the landing spot of Hernando DeSoto and his crew in May…
Let’s continue on this grand adventure through New York City, checking off several Big Apple bucket list items from food and drink to historical venues and relaxing hot spots. Make sure you check out my previous post to see where the adventure began. Sarabeth’s Sarabeth’s on Park Avenue was quite possibly the largest restaurant I have ever dined in. I just didn’t realize how big it was until I had to venture to the restroom. A maze of stairs and…
Did you know there were caves in Florida? Cave diving is popular at many of the Florida springs, but Florida Caverns State Park is the only dry cave open to the public. Behind a heavy metal door awaits exploration into another world. How did these caves form? Millions of years ago, sea levels were much higher leaving a majority of the coastal areas underwater. Over the years, as sea levels fell, debris on the sea floor hardened into limestone which…
It’s a sinkhole, what more is there to say? But here are some pretty pictures… Actually, it is quite interesting. The sinkhole is believed to have formed more than ten thousand years ago and has become a valuable resource in providing researchers information on Florida’s natural history. As you descend 120 feet to the pond below, you will notice the scenery and temperature change. It begins to resemble more of a mountainscape rather than tropical Florida. Everything seems a little…
A tree covered boardwalk leads led to one of the most impressive sights, “The Senator,” a 3,500-year-old Cypress Tree. Unfortunately, it was lost to fire in 2012, and I was even more heartbroken to learn it was an act of vandalism. “The Senator” was one of the oldest and largest cypress trees in America. The Native Americans living in the area used this tree as a landmark while making their way through the swampy marsh. Serious sad face 🙁 I just…
Inhabited for more than 6,000 year by Native Americans, De Leon Springs became a popular tourist destination in the late 1800's as it was believed to be Ponce de Leon's famed Fountain of Youth. …
This diverse state park offers a whole lot of nature and history, beginning with the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oaks in the South. It has stood in this very spot for over 400 years; just imagine the things it has seen, hurricanes, wars, floods, fires, and droughts, oh my. The Fairchild Oak marks the beginning of a 6.8 mile hiking trail, leading to Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park. While I love hiking trails, 6.8 miles seems…