Gary McKechnie 2016-12-16 01:51:58
Grassy Waters Preserve, West Palm Beach SOCIAL BUZZ Sandra Friend on hiking in Florida: " What I love most about hiking in Florida is that we have such botanical diversity. Most visitors don’t expect it, but they find in our forests that a few inches of elevation can change the habitats all around you." Sandra Friend is the author and founder of FloridaHikes.com @FloridaHikes @FloridaHikes facebook.com/FloridaHikes Walk & Roll Search {Trails} at VISITFLORIDA.com A walk (or ride) in the woods. Sometimes that’s all you need to appreciate Florida. A quiet walk on a dirt trail cushioned by pine needles. A hike along a riverside path in the shade of sprawling oaks. Stopping for breakfast at an outdoor café during a Saturday morning ride along a rail-turned-trail. Across the state, thousands of miles of hiking and recreational trails offer something for every traveler, from the 1,300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail for the seasoned hiker to shorter paved paths for casual excursions. Wherever you roam, you’ll be enlightened by Florida’s history, nature and beauty. Before setting out, visit the Florida Trail Association (floridatrail.org), the non-profit that’s been caring for trails since 1966. They know all about the sights you can see only on foot or on a bike. And only in Florida. Grassy Waters Preserve In West Palm Beach, warm up with a short walk that gives you a glimpse of the Everglades, the broad and shallow “river of grass” that once flowed unimpeded across South Florida. A simple boardwalk through the Loxahatchee Slough will lead you into an open and undisturbed marsh of still waters, cypress trees, ferns and pine flatwoods. When you see the wide horizon open before you, relax in the shelter of a chickee hut. The wading birds, deer, turkeys and other wildlife that thrive in this environment are reminders that the circle of life continues even in the most distant reach of the Everglades. Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail If you’re not ready for the forest, head for this popular city-to-city paved recreational trail that ties together downtown St. Petersburg and the Greek community of Tarpon Springs. The wide, smooth and level 47-mile trail was built on the railbed of the old Atlantic Coast Line and attracts bicyclists, skaters, joggers and pedestrians. On the northern half of the trail, many find a welcome oasis in the shops, restaurants and boutiques of Dunedin’s active, eclectic Main Street. Sanibel & Captiva Islands Sanibel-Captiva Few places in Florida capture the serenity travelers seek more perfectly than these twin islands off the coast of Fort Myers. Among the reasons visitors return are natural attractions like trails woven into the heart of one of America’s premier birding sites at the famed J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Nearby, a network of broad paved paths lead to Sanibel’s many attractions such as the Bailey- Matthews Shell Museum and Sanibel Lighthouse. Paradise, found. West Orange Trail Less than 30 minutes from seven of the world’s top 10 theme parks in Orlando, the “theme” in Winter Garden is the great outdoors. Thousands of walkers, skaters and bicyclists relax in gift shops, boutiques and sidewalk cafés before traveling the 22-mile West Orange Trail. It’s mostly level, but a few hills could pose a challenge. Three adjacent trails run west of town, dipping into the Oakland Nature Preserve near Lake Apopka. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail A wide concrete levee encircling Lake Okeechobee inspires many to hike the “Big O”–no small task considering it’s roughly 110 miles to walk around Florida’s largest freshwater lake (with Army Corps of Engineers modifications adding barriers and detours). You could go solo or wait until November when the weather cools to join enthusiasts for a multi-day hike. There are several closures on the trail through 2020, so check for the latest information online before you go. Blackwater Heritage State Trail Blackwater Heritage State Trail The state’s westernmost trail is short, sweet and reminiscent of Old Florida. From the historic small town of Milton on the outskirts of Pensacola, the eight-mile trail spans small creeks via wooden bridges, leads through piney woods and past native wildflowers, and passes a cypress swamp before reaching the Naval Air Station at Whiting Field. Feet tired? Relax on the water. Rivers and creeks within the more than 210,000-acre Blackwater River State Forest have made this area the “Canoe Capital of Florida.” General James A. Van Fleet State Trail While it’s open daily, on Saturdays this trail tends to attract skaters, bicyclists and walkers wanting to shake off the stress of the work week. The nearly 30-mile-long trail near Polk City passes through a rural area that in some places looks as it did in the 1800s. Cedar forests, cypress swamps, citrus groves and cattle ranches remain largely untouched in this section of Central Florida’s scenic 322,690-acre Green Swamp. A Quick Guide to Big Thrills By Lauren Tjaden Search {Thrills} at VISITFLORIDA.com Looking for a Florida adventure? Put some get-up in your getaway with these Sunshine State escapades. Zips & Dips Forever Florida in St. Cloud, south of Orlando, not only offers Florida’s largest zipline thrill park, but also the country’s fist zipline roller coaster. Crocodile Crossing at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park adds teeth to the adventure: you’ll see live alligators and crocodiles below as you tackle aerial obstacles. Santos Mountain Biking Trail, Ocala Mountain Biking Part of the Cross Florida Greenway, the Santos Trailhead near Ocala offers free fun with more than 60 miles of mountain biking trails. The trails are clearly color-coded for difficulty, and there are designated skill areas perfect for practicing. The free ride area is stocked with daring drops and obstacles. Watch riders perform impressive stunts or, if you’re skilled and brave enough, join them. Off-Road Adventures Unleash your inner swamp child at Revolution Off Road in Clermont, west of Orlando. You can take the wheel of an ATV for a guided ride through sand, mud, swamp and forest, or choose an easy-to-drive two-seater buggy for a jaunt around the track. For the ultimate off-road experience, climb into a “Mucky Duck,” an Argo Amphibious UTV that can tackle the muddiest trail. Forever Florida, St. Cloud Flying & Gliding Florida may not have mountains, but don’t let that stop you from hang gliding. On your tandem hang gliding adventure with Wallaby Ranch, located just outside of Orlando, you and your instructor will get towed to altitude by a specially designed airplane. After releasing from tow, you’ll gently free-fly back to earth. You’re in good hands–open since 1991, the ranch holds the distinction of being the first full-time aerotow hang gliding fiight park in the world. Skydiving With an abundance of flat, open fields and balmy winters, Florida is the ideal place to skydive. Skydive Space Center in Titusville boasts the world’s highest tandem jump–a staggering 18,000 feet–as well as an utterly unique view. NASA granted the center permission to fly directly over the Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Launch Complex, the Main Assembly Building and the Shuttle Landing Runway. OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN FLORIDA Scan this page with your smartphone to witness adventures from skydiving to scubadiving. Download the free Layar App. See full instructions on pg. 12.
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