Nothing beats the view of the Wekiva River from Wilson’s Landing Park in Sanford. Nothing.
Wekiva River
Florida Rivers
Spring to Spring
1st Stop: Green Springs Park, Deltona
2nd Stop: 1871 DeBary Hall, DeBary
3rd Stop: Gemini Springs Park, DeBary
4th Stop: Swamp House River Front Grill, DeBary
Return to Lettuce Lake Park
It was just under a year ago when we first visited Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, which lies off I-75 in Tampa and just minutes from the University of South Florida campus. So we jumped at the chance to visit again on Sunday and we were not disappointed! One of the most visited parks in Hillsborough County, Lettuce Lake Park “lies in the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River” and features a hardwood swamp forest that can be experienced via a 3,500-foot boardwalk and observation tower. During this outing, we saw two Florida alligators, a baby turtle and several bird species, including the white ibis. Entrance fee is $2 (cash only). Don’t miss it!
Thursby House at Blue Spring State Park
“Louis Thursby, one of the area’s first European settlers, came here with his family in 1857. He hoped that being close to the river would help him to grow wealthy, and so he built an orange grove and a pier for passing steamships. The Thursby house is preserved as it looked at the turn of the 20th century, capturing Florida in a momentous period of transition between frontier and modern state.” – www.floridastateparks.org
“Thursby House was built by Louis Thursby, who left Brooklyn to fight in the Mexican War, was discharged in California, then settled at Blue Spring in the late 1860s. He was one of the first on the upper St. Johns to establish orange groves and a steamboat landing so he could send oranges downriver. His activities attracted other orange growers to the Orange City area.” – Michael Strutin, Florida State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide, 2000
“In 1872 the Thursby family built a big frame house on the top of an ancient snail shell mound. The house and grounds have been restored to look as they did in the 1880s when oranges grew in the yard and the family sent their crops to Jacksonville by steamboat.” – Diana and Bill Gleasner, Florida: Off the Beaten Path, 2003
Black Bear Hike 2020
In August, my son and I finally managed to hike the entire 7.1-mile Black Bear Wilderness Loop Area in Sanford. It was a great experience and several miles of the trail run alongside the scenic St. Johns River. We didn’t see any alligators this time out, but we did view two deer along the way. The trail is definitely rugged, so bring plenty of water and bug spray, and prepare to invest at least 3.5 hours if you plan to hike the entire thing. However, a good short hike involves going counterclockwise to the St. Johns River and back for a two-mile stroll.
Kafe Kokopelli
A couple of weeks ago after we explored scenic Withlacoochee River Park (highly recommended, by the way!), we headed to downtown Dade City for a delicious lunch at Kafe Kokopelli, a charming eatery that offers outdoor seating and plenty of social distancing. The lobster roll here was simply amazing! Kafe Kokopelli is open daily at 11 AM for lunch and dinner. Check it out!
Mosaic Peace River Park
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.
Return to Lake Harney
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!
Withlacoochee River Park
We discovered a great outdoor oasis way off the beaten path at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City. Several scenic trails meander through the park, including a portion of the Florida Trail. Don’t miss the opportunity to climb the Observation Tower for a great view of the surrounding area. Oh yeah, make sure to pack some mosquito repellent because we got eaten alive on this outing – but it was well worth it! Other stops during this adventure included a visit to the charming 1922 Richloam General Store in Webster and an outstanding lunch at Kafe Kokopelli in downtown Dade City.
Lettuce Lake Conservation Park
We enjoyed a pleasant stroll along the 3,500-foot boardwalk at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park in Tampa over the weekend. Don’t miss the observation tower, which offers some great scenic views of the Hillsborough River. Highly recommended!
Wandering Florida 