I hiked at Longleaf Pine Preserve in DeLand a few weeks ago (West Entrance, just east of I-4 on New York Avenue). It was deserted and flooded, but very scenic and I especially enjoyed walking along those wooden planks! I will be back to explore further during the coming months.
Due to the global pandemic, swimming at De Leon Springs State Park has been prohibited indefinitely. However, this means that you can enjoy picnicking and hiking here without dealing with the usual frenzied crowds that descend upon this widely popular Florida state park located just north of DeLand. The Wild Persimmon, a four-mile hiking trail, is definitely recommended. In addition, the legendary Sugar Mill Restaurant remains open.
A true hidden treasure, Mosaic Peace River Park in Bartow is off the beaten path, but well worth the effort! We stumbled upon this enchanting spot as we recently drove the backroads from Fort Myers to Central Florida. An approximately one-mile boardwalk winds through a scenic cypress forest and ends at the beautifully serene Peace River.
One of my favorite early morning strolls is to wander around Gemini Springs Park in DeBary and take in the amazing scenery of this 212-acre natural oasis. And it’s the only park so far where I’ve viewed a bobcat, a very special experience (unfortunately, he/she darted away quickly before I could snap a photo)! I return to Gemini Springs Park regularly and always find something new to discover. Don’t miss it!
The historic Lake Monroe Bridge can be found at the scenic Lake Monroe Wayside Park in Sanford. According to the Lake Monroe Bridge historical marker: “The Lake Monroe Bridge was the first electrically operated swing bridge in Florida. In 1932-33 the State used federal assistance to build this bridge, which replaced a wooden toll bridge that was manually operated. The construction of the bridge provided economic relief for an area hurt by the economic collapse of the Depression era. The bridge was fabricated by Ingall’s Iron Works of Birmingham, Alabama; the swing machinery manufactured by Earle Gear and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and it was erected by W. W. White Steel Construction of St. Petersburg, Florida. Kreis Contracting Company of Knoxville, Tennessee was the general contractor for the Florida Department of Transportation. The Florida Department of Transportation and Seminole County cooperated in preserving the swing span as a fishing pier when the new Benedict Bridge was completed in 1994.”
“… without risk I don’t think there can be art … Suspend your self-doubt, do only the work you love and make it personal.”
“I was always a good adventurer. I was never afraid to take risks. I always had a good philosophy about risks. The only risk is to waste your life, so that when you die, you say, ‘Oh, I wish I had done this!’ I did everything I wanted to do, and I continue to.”
“The trick is to find the pleasures you can indulge in endlessly.”
“What’s a to-do list? … It’s a list of things that you don’t really want to do, or even think about. Everyone you know makes these lists. But how many people get up every morning and make a list of 10 things they want to learn and enjoy that day? Very few. And that’s really what I’m trying to do now.”
“The secret of life is to say yes all the time … because when you’re old, you don’t want to say, ‘I wish I’d done this, I wish I had done that.”
“Did you see Rushmore? I was just like that kid.”
Ideally located along the scenic St. Johns River, Lake Harney Wilderness Area is the perfect spot to get some exercise, view wildlife (I almost always see deer out here in the early morning) and social distance (I hardly ever run across anyone else out here during my hikes). There’s even an observation deck for a sweeping view of Lake Harney itself and the surrounding area. So, what are you waiting for? Mark Lake Harney Wilderness Area down on your calendar and get out in the great outdoors!
As I mentioned before, few natural places (if any) in Central Florida can surpass Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas when it comes to viewing Florida wildlife, including alligators and a myriad of bird species. Last time out, I spotted this softshell turtle chilling out under a bench. Very cool!
One of our favorite spots in Central Florida to rent kayaks for a day exploring Florida wildlife, Wekiva Island is located in Longwood near Wekiwa Springs State Park. In fact, we try to get to Wekiva Island as early as possible, rent our kayak(s) and paddle down the Wekiva River to Wekiwa Springs. Then we disembark and swim around in the springs for a little while before paddling back to Wekiva Island for lunch and a craft beer at the Tooting Otter. It’s a great place to take visitors to give them a true taste of “natural” Florida.
After hearing great things about Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, we finally got the opportunity to visit and enjoy just a small sampling of this amazing wildlife habitat. A former cattle ranch on the shore of Lake Hancock, Circle B Bar Reserve encompasses 1,267 acres and contains a diversity of great hiking trails. We saw several alligators and the reserve was also teeming with various bird species. We will definitely return soon to explore other areas of Circle B Bar Reserve. Highly recommended!
Wandering Florida 