Florida Rivers
Hickory Bluff Preserve
I arrived at 135-acre Hickory Bluff Preserve in Osteen at around 10 AM on a Saturday and had the place to myself. It’s actually two short hiking trails that total about 1.5 miles with the highlight being a great view of the scenic St. Johns River. I saw a white-tailed deer very briefly on the Red Trail. It’s a nice hike and I will definitely be back!
Woody’s River Roo Pub & Grill
“Welcome to the Roo with a View!” We planned on driving from Ocoee to Fort Myers and back in one day, so I wanted to find a good place to stop for lunch on the way back. So I Googled “Tiki Bar near I-75” and Woody’s River Roo Pub & Grill on the scenic Manatee River in Ellenton came up. A great place by the way (if you can find it)! I thoroughly enjoyed my Ahi Tuna Tacos. It’s the kind of place you can hang out all day and enjoy the view with an ice-cold beer if you have the time.
Okeehumkee
“Tourists aboard the river steamboat ‘Okeehumkee’ – Silver Springs, Florida”
Source: Florida Memory (State Library & Archives of Florida)
Hike #29: Little Big Econ State Forest (Kolokee Loop)
Hike #29, 52 Hike Challenge: Little Big Econ State Forest (Kolokee Loop). The Kolokee Loop at Little Big Econ State Forest lives up to its reputation as one of the most scenic hiking trails in Central Florida! Just about a mile or so into your hike, you will be able to catch some amazing views high above the Econlockhatchee River. Keep an eye out for alligators (I didn’t see any this time out). During about half of your hike on the Kolokee Loop, you will actually be on the Florida National Scenic Trail. Highly recommended! Distance: 5.2 miles.
Hike #27: Myakka River State Park
Hike #27, 52 Hike Challenge: Myakka River State Park, Sarasota. Since we had to drive all the way back to Pine Island (we left a cooler full of supplies behind during our Cayo Costa State Park excursion last week), we decided to stop by to briefly sample Myakka River State Park. It was truly amazing! We strolled along the William S. Boylston Nature Trail, took the Canopy Walk, climbed the Observation Tower and wandered around a little bit near Upper Myakka Lake. In addition, we saw wading birds, black vultures and a red shouldered hawk clutching a squirrel. We will definitely be back soon to explore Myakka River State Park further. By the way, the Myakka River, is Florida’s first state-designated Wild and Scenic River. To reach Myakka River State Park, take I-75 to Exit 205 and travel 9 miles east on State Road 72. The park entrance will be on your left. Distance: 1.2 miles.
Hike #17: Crooked River Preserve
Hike #17, 52 Hike Challenge: Crooked River Preserve. Clermont. Surrounded by sprawling development, Crooked River Preserve is a quiet and scenic oasis of wilderness that protects 64 acres of waterfront on Lake Louisa and along the Palatlakaha River. Crooked River Preserve is composed of several short trails that loop around and which hikers can knock out in about an hour: Cypress Trail, Titi Trail, Sink Trail and Fern Trail. Highly recommended! Wildlife sighting: Red-Shouldered Hawk. Distance: 1.7 miles.
The Blue Gator, Dunnellon
Looking for an idea for a laid-back Central Florida day trip? Head to Rainbow Springs State Park in the morning followed by lunch at the nearby Blue Gator at Angler’s Resort in Dunnellon! Relax on the outdoor deck along the Withlacoochee River and enjoy an ice-cold beer with some steamed shrimp, raw oysters, chicken wings and smoked fish dip (click here for the full menu). Live music takes place here Thursday through Sunday evenings. Airboat tours and boat rentals are also available. The Blue Gator is located at 12189 South Williams Street in Dunnellon.
Hike #11: Rainbow Springs State Park
Hike #11, 52 Hike Challenge: Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon. We had an awesome time wandering around Rainbow Springs State Park yesterday. One of Florida’s oldest tourist attractions, Rainbow Springs (formerly known as Blue Springs) once featured “underwater cruise boats,” a raft adventure, animal park, rodeo arena, swamp garden, Rainbow Queen Paddleboat and monorail. In addition, portions of the long-forgotten movie, Tarzan and the Brown Prince (1972) were filmed here. The attraction closed in 1974 and the state purchased Rainbow Springs in 1995. Today, the park offers swimming, canoe/kayak rentals, campground, picnic areas, butterfly garden, waterfalls and nature trails, as well as a concession stand and gift shop. Remnants of the old zoo can also be viewed near the butterfly garden. Rainbow Springs State Park is located three miles north of Dunnellon on U.S. 41. Distance: 1.2 miles.
Wekiva Island
Want to “experience the real Florida”? Spend a day at Wekiva Island! Our ideal excursion to Wekiva Island involves getting there early in the morning before the crowds, renting kayaks or canoes, and paddling down the Wekiva River. Once we reach Wekiwa Springs State Park (a small admission fee is charged), we take a dip in the crystal-clear springs. Then we leisurely paddle back to Wekiva Island for juicy burgers and ice-cold beers. Wekiva Island features a scenic boardwalk, sand volleyball court, Without a Paddle Cafe, General Store and The Tooting Otter craft beer and wine bar. It’s a great place to take visitors when they need a welcome break from all the stresses associated with theme park exploration! Wekiva Island is located at 1014 Miami Springs Drive in Longwood. Hours are 8 AM to 7 PM Sunday through Thursday and 8 AM to 11 PM Friday and Saturday.
Wandering Florida 