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Civil War Connections to Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park
Date Visited: 12/9/2019 While in Homosassa Florida, we took the opportunity to visit the Historic ruins of the Yulee Sugar Mill located off of County Road 490 West. Although we've visited many of these such mills around Florida, this one was of particular interest due to it's association, not with the Seminole Wars, but with... Continue Reading →
How a Hippo Became a Honorary Florida Citizen
Date Visited: 12/9/2019 Before telling you about the rest of our trip to the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs State Park we need talk about the elephant, or rather I should say the Hippopotamus in the room. Lu, short for Lucifer, has been a resident of the park since 1964. He was born on January 26,... Continue Reading →
Preserving History at Fort Cooper State Park
Date Visited: 12/9/2019 Our first stop of the day was at the 710 acre site of Fort Cooper State Park. Established in 1972 this park was a great place to start our morning with a relaxed walking tour through the history of the surrounding area. Historical Significance As is the case with most of Florida,... Continue Reading →
We Found Florida’s 2nd Largest Live Oak at Lake Griffin State Park
Date Visited: 12/8/2019 After our return trip to Washington Oaks Gardens we headed toward the west coast of Florida for an overnight stay at Lake Griffin State Park. The campground was typical of most Florida State Parks; it was clean, the sites ranged in size, they were a little pushed together in some areas (as... Continue Reading →
The Beautiful Coquina Beach @ Washington Oaks Gardens State Park : Oceanside
There are Rocky beaches in Florida? Yep, it's true. Date Visited: 12/7/2019 Now I have a confession. Previously when I wrote about our first trip to Washington Oaks State Park I wasn't 100% sure that the beach across the street was actually part of the park property or just fortunate enough to be within close... Continue Reading →
Another Disappointing trip to Fort Matanzas National Monument
Date Visited: 12/7/2019 At this point in our travels we've grown accustomed to thwarted plans as our trip to Fort Matanzas in St. Augustine, Florida was about to be a disappointment for the second time. Our attempt to journey across the river and explore the fort (one that must be taken by the National Park... Continue Reading →
Faver Dykes State Park: A place to learn.
Date Visited: 12/7/2019 Sometimes when we visit a state park we are motivated purely by our interest in discovering whether we would plan a future camping getaway at the location. Our trip to Faver-Dykes State Park located south of St. Augustine, Florida was such an occasion. Or so I thought. As it turned out, I... Continue Reading →
We Saw a Coral Snake at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
If there is one thing you can find in Florida with relative ease it's the ruins of a sugar cane plantation. Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park is a 150-acre state park with hiking, canoeing and a brief, but interesting history. Around 1821 Major Charles Wilhelm Bulow began to develop his 4675-acre tract into the... Continue Reading →
I Thought we were lost at Ravine Gardens State Park
Date Visited: 12/5/2019 Timing is everything! When we decided to explore Ravine Gardens State Park in Florida it was after a fairly productive hurricane season. Not only that, we were a little to early for the Azalea bloom which is what the Gardens are most known for. However, we weren't going to let that deter... Continue Reading →
The Dinosaurs of Bongoland at Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens
Date Visited: 5/7/2019 There's is something to be said about those magical places where the unexpected happens. Those mystical little unknown spots where you find the historian, the nature lover and the inner child in you simultaneously satisfied. Today's subject is one such place! We had left the sugar mill ruins in New Smyrna Beach... Continue Reading →
New Smyrna Sugar Mill Ruins
Date Visited: 5/7/2019 In past post I've mentioned that my perspective has changed as I get older. For instance, our next daytrip took us to a place I've visited many times as a child on both field trips and family outings. During those long lost years I was more fascinated by the rocks and the... Continue Reading →
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve : Kingsley Plantation
Date Visited: 4/12/2019 Our next day trip takes us to the oldest surviving plantation home in the state of Florida. The property is located on Fort George Island and part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve managed by the National Park Service. A Brief and Incomplete History In the late 1700s Planter and American... Continue Reading →
It wasn’t all Roses at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park : The Gardens
Date Visited: 4/11/2019 After leaving Gamble Rogers we headed north along A1A to Washington Oaks Gardens. Like Gamble Rogers, this park is also on a barrier island and has two distinct destinations straddling Oceanshore Blvd. To the east is the beach and the location of one of the largest coastal coquina formations in Florida. To... Continue Reading →
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
Date Visited: 4/11/2019 After returning home early from our trip up the Natchez Trace Parkway we had a few vacation days left to enjoy. Over the next several weeks we'll share what we discovered as we traveled around Florida hopping from one state park to another as we find a few gems as well as... Continue Reading →
Trip Tally: Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee
8 Day Road Trip Itinerary Day 1: Brevard County to Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, Florida - Distance 275 miles - Daily Expense Gas, Food, Camp fees $32.48 Day 2: -Clear Springs Recreation Area, Homochitto National Forest, MS Distance 619 miles - Daily Expense Gas, Food, Camp fees $171.29 Day 3: -... Continue Reading →
