Author: Tommy Thompson
Don’t Fear The Gators in Melrose, Florida. Eat Them For Dinner at Blue Water Bay Restaurant or Try This Recipe!
One of the most common questions asked about Florida when Visit Natural North Florida’s volunteers are asked when making presentations around the U.S. and Europe is “Do you have alligators?” And according to Capt. Russ McCallister, whose travels along the Suwannee and other rivers as guide for Suwannee Guides & Outfitters, the answer is “Yes, …
Fish Taylor County’s Lonesome (and Shallow!) Gulf Coastline
Taylor County, Florida has a a long and rugged Gulf of Mexico coastline, taking up a good portion of the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the lower 48 U.S. states. Beginning at the fishing village of Steinhatchee and stretching towards the mouths of the Aucilla and Econfina rivers, it’s not only lonesome for anglers, …
Cool Weather Brings Good Spotted Seatrout Bite to Natural North Florida’s Gulf Coast
A typical winter day near Steinhatchee’s Sea Hag Marina! Everyone wants a limit of spotted seatrout! Cool air temperatures that follow the arrival of cold fronts to Natural North Florida’s west coast usually drop Gulf and river water temperatures down a degree or two. Feeling that drop, and the likely onset of winter, spotted seatrout …
Natural North Florida’s Gilchrist Blue Springs is Now Florida’s Newest State Park, 11/1/17
Florida now has 175 State Parks, and everyone’s excited that the transition from private to public for Gilchrist Blue Springs is now a “done deal”. The property, which contains six natural springs and includes approximately one mile of frontage along the Santa Fe River, has been providing recreational opportunities as a private park since 1958. …
Take The Slower Road…US90—Live Oak to Lake City, Florida
If you’re driving east or west along Interstate Highway 10, just south of the Florida/Georgia border, you’ve likely missed two small historic cities in our Natural North Florida region. Yes, there are signs west of I-75 directing you to Live Oak and some to the east, pointing towards Lake City. But if you just keep …
Shop ‘Til You Drop–or Just Dine and Stroll–In Beautiful Monticello, Florida
Monticello, Florida is about 20 miles east of Florida’s busy capital city, Tallahassee, at the intersection of US19 and US90. It’s also about a thousand times more laid=back and a great place to visit, shop or dine in our Natural North Florida region. Monticello is the county seat of Jefferson County and boasts one of …
Don’t Miss a Trip to Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida
Located in a grove of oaks and pine trees, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is one of the Natural North Florida destinations you don’t want to miss! While the Cafe is open daily, try to time your visit during one of the many festivals and music events held there throughout the year. Typical …
Mermaids Discovered in Natural North Florida’s Freshwater Springs!
Well, sorta…. Everyone knows that mermaids and mer-men are saltwater creatures, but there’s been a recent uptick in the sighting of these half-human/half-fish in the freshwater springs in our Natural North Florida region. A recent Mermaid Meet-Up at Ginnie Springs, near High Springs, in Gilchrist County, Florida If you’re lucky, you’ll see informal “mermaid meet-ups” …
Florida’s 2017 Stone Crab Season Now Open–At Full Steam!
Florida’s 2017 stone crab season opened on October 15 and runs until May 15, 2018. This year’s crop is excellent and there should be no shortages of these delicious crab claws throughout the winter months. Stone crabs are the perfect appetizer or main course. You’ll find them served cold or hot, with any number of …
Don’t Miss Gainesville’s Downtown Festival & Art Show, November 11 and 12, 2017
North Florida’s art scene swings into high gear on Saturday , November 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the arrival of the highly acclaimed Downtown Festival & Art Show. The streets of historic downtown Gainesville, from City Hall to the Hippodrome State Theatre …