Hello, 

my first time here.  I stumbled across this site while researching a planned trip to Florida - and promptly wandered around  for a couple of hours.  What a wealth of information!  Here is my situation:

I adore hiking, this having been a regular family activity during my childhood.  Consequently I try and instill the same apprecation in my kids (16, 12, 6) so far not with complete success.  We are planning on visiting the last 2 weeks in August which I realize…

I will be driving from Brevard Co. Fl to Franklin, NC 28734 for a hike on the AT on May 5 2013 give or take to 3 day.I will driving back Fl. on May 25 Give or take a week

Looking to share the gas 50/50 @ each fill up I will drive the hole thing or you can help with the driving
Please reply with your E-mail, Need phone # I will call you back
Thanks
Richard  ( JiB  )

A few months ago, my wife joined a church choir.  But, unlike most church choirs which meet on a Wednesday night to practice and then go to Sunday service, this church choir meets at 9:00 am for rehearsal for an 11:00 am service.  And to make an even bigger block of time, the service doesn't tend to let out until 12:20.

My wife doesn't drive, so between dropping her off and picking her up, I had a couple of hours free.  Not long enough to go any distance, but enough time to…

When my wife and I first moved to Florida back in 1990, we hiked a bit in the woods.  We joined the Florida Trail Association.  We helped (a little) in trail creation and maintenance.

Then we had kids.  This tended to put a cramp on many extracurricular activities.

Recently I got back into the woods and started on the longer hikes.  I enjoy the longer hikes.  I feel like I accomplished something --…

I've been taking a few of the longer hikes from Sandra Friend's 50 Hikes in Central Florida (1st edition).  I drove down the coast to Brevard County, to their Endangered Land's Program's Malabar Scrub Sanctuary.  When I got there, I had a scare that lasted for a couple of…

The Sable Point Trail (also known as the Wekiva River Buffer Conservation Area Trail) is another trail in the first edition of Sandra Friends' 50 Hikes in Central Florida.  The trail is owned by both the Audobon Society as well as…

I went hiking this morning at Gator Creek Reserve, which is another trail that was included in Sandra Friend's 50 Hikes in Central Florida (First Edition).  When she hiked the trail, it was…

My mother was visiting from Connecticut last weekend.  We went to St. Augustine to see my daughter sing with the St. Augustine Orchestra Friday night.  Saturday afternoon we went to see my other daughter in Scrooge the Musical at the Athens Theater in DeLand.  Sunday afternoon we were going to see my wife sing in the Evensong service.  This left little time to go hiking.

So I went to my GPS and looked for a short trail I hadn't hiked before that was relatively close to home. …

Occassionally I get political.  (OK, I'm probably political a lot.  But I try to keep it off of myfloridahikes.)  I've sent the following note to my two Senators and one Representative-Elect in Washington.  I'm not sure it will do any good, but it's worth a try.

I am writing to express my concern with the actions of the Forest Service in regards to the Florida Trail.  As you know, the Florida National Scenic Trail was designated as a footpath from the Everglades to…

Another trail that is listed in Sandra's 50 Hikes in Central Florida (1st edition) that I thought sounded interesting was the hikes at the Tenaroc Fish Management Area.  However, since the book is over ten years old, I usually try to find up to date information about the…

Yesterday I drove out to Kissimmee and visited the Osceola Environmental Study Center.  This set of trails was included in Sandra Friend's 50 Hikes in Central Florida (1st Edition).  Since the First Edition is ten years old, I like to double check whether the trails are still open.  However,…

I've got two different GPS units that I use on a regular basis.  First, there's the one I use when hiking, a Garmin eTrex 20.  It's cheap, small, has a long battery life, and I can plug it into my computer directly when I'm done with a hike.  That way I can keep track of where I've hiked, and where I haven't.

 …

I am a "AT" section Hiker from CT ( have 1600 + miles done) I also do shuttling for "AT" hikers in CT,MA, and NY. Now with that said I will be in, "The Villages" for the month of Jan. and would love to hike some of the Florida Trail. How much depends on how much wife lets me get away. :-)  But I plan on packing my gear, stopping in Shenandoah NP on way home.

Are there people that do shuttles down there? Are there clubs that have hikes that I may contact? Should I pack my hammock or…

This evening I would like to talk to you about the DeLand Greenway.



First, I would like to commend you for having the foresight to build the DeLand Greenway through the middle of town.  The first map I’ve given you is a map of the Greenway.

In the sections where there are few trees, you’ve planted…

Pine Island Conservation Area is one of Brevard County's parcels of land protected by their Environmentally Endangered Land Program.  When I was working on my Masters in Public Administration, I worked with some classmates on a strategic plan for the program.  So it was interesting actually hiking on their…

This is another set of trails I found in Sandra's book, 50 Hikes in Central Florida (1st edition).  The trails are on a piece of land owned by the South West Florida Water Management District abbuting a Sumter County park and boat ramp.  (In other words, you won't find the words Panasoffkee…

Lake Beresford Park.gpx

Located on the western side of Volusia County, Lake Beresford Park offers a little…

I've been getting out of my office for an occassional walk in the woods.  I work near the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park's southern portion, so I've been heading out there for the occassional hike.  Today I finished mapping the trails for this park.

The yellow and white loops are the basis of the Florida Hikes! suggested…

I was exploring the trails at Volusia County's Lake Beresford Park, when I saw a bear, sitting in the top of a tree.  I thought I'd share.…

It's Saturday morning, and it's nice and cool outside.  So why am I sitting at my computer?

Well, there's a tropical storm sitting off the Atlantic Coast and my wife isn't thrilled with the idea of my going for a walk away from the house.  (Walking the dog doesn't count.)  And this afternoon my daughter has an All-State Audition, so I'm needed to drive her to and from Lake Mary.

So, what to do?

Sandra recently posted a long list of hikes around…