Author: Tommy Thompson
Learn About North Florida’s Flora and Fauna At Gainesville’s Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Whether Gainesville is your Natural North Florida destination or if you’re just passing through on I-75, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. It’s located about a mile west of the Archer Road exit (SR24) on the expressway. Named for Lake Kanapaha (Timicuan tramslation: palmetto leaf and house, referring to the typical Timicua …
Gainesville’s Morningside Nature Center–Take A Walk In Our Woods
With over 7 miles of trails and one of the last-remaining examples of a fire-dependent longleaf pine forest, Morningside Nature Center is an excellent outdoor destination–within the city limits of Natural North Florida’s largest city. The largest of Gainesville’s nature parks, Morningside covers 278 acres and is easily accessed from East University Avenue and SR20. …
“Eew” – Frog Legs! A Natural North Florida Favorite!
You no longer have to be the one to catch (and clean and skin—“Eew”) frog legs. Many seafood specialty shops sell them, and I’ve even found imported, frozen frog legs acceptable and tasty. That’s a good option for visitors to our Natural North Florida region. Also, you’ll find them in many restaurants in the region. …
Relax, Hike, Camp–and Enjoy Florida’s Suwannee River State Park
Located just off US90, between the towns of Live Oak and Madison, in Natural North Florida, Suwannee River State Park isn’t one of our largest parks, but it certainly is one of the most scenic. It’s upstream of the confluence of the mighty Suwannee River and the lesser “upper” Withlacoochee River, right where the highway …
Lake Butler, Florida–One of Natural North Florida’s Hidden Treasures
Florida’s Union County isn’t big. In fact, it was originally part of several other counties, and its history can be confusing. In an effort to simplify matters and not “rewrite history”, here’s a direct quote from the county’s current website: “The area that is now Union County, Florida was originally part of St. Johns County …
Gainesville’s Best—2018 Festival Schedule—Save The Dates!
Gainesville is home to festivals of all kinds. They range from “medieval faires” to “punk rock” music events to curated art shows. Each year, thousands of visitors come to this North Florida college town to enjoy food, art and just to have a great time. In 2018, there are events planned almost any month. Here’s …
Starke, Florida Is Worth A Stop On Your Way South On US301 in Natural North Florida
The old Bradford County Courthouse, which now houses Santa Fe College‘s Starke Campus, is still the most imposing sight as you head into Starke on US301. While this north/south route in Florida isn’t as popular as it used to be, it does offer an excellent shortcut for southbound travelers heading from I-95 and from Jacksonville, …
Visit Panacea, Florida and The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Museum
Panacea’s Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory is the “real deal”, founded by Jack Rudloe in the early 1960s to provide marine specimens to scientists and researchers. The facility has grown over the years, to become a full-fledged tourist attraction, while still delivering sea creatures of all sorts to educators and scientists. A trip through the …
Holiday (and Everyday!) Shopping at Base and Range in Madison, Florida
Welcome to Madison, one of Natural North Florida’s most scenic small towns. Located in Madison County, just south of the Florida/Georgia line, Madison is an exciting place to spend a day of holiday (or any day!) shopping and dining. Expect bargains galore, year-round, at Madison’s many antique shops! Even if you don’t make it to …
Plan Ahead For 2018–FWC discusses regional bay scallop seasons on Big Bend
This information may not be “official”, but our guess is that it will likely become so before Florida’s recreational bay scallop season begins in 2018: At its December meeting in Gainesville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discussed draft changes that would create regionally-specific bay scallop open seasons and would allow a trial …