25 Best Natural Things to Do in Columbia County
Falling Creek FallsColumbiaCounty is rural and filled with natural freshwater springs, rivers, andfriendly people. Lake City, once called Alligator, is the county seat and wasthe first home of the University of Florida—bet you didn’t know that! FortWhite is the other large town in Columbia County.At this point, I’m starting to feel like theproud parent of a baker’s dozen. And you’ve just asked me who my favorite is!All these counties are my “favorite”—it just depends on what day you ask!Suppose you want to be outside in the Florida sun, breathing in the freshestair in the South, with a big ole smile plastered across your face. In thatcase, Columbia County is the place you ought to be. Sshhhh, don’t tell theothers.1. Rum 138 Rum 138 isthe go-to spot for kayaking, paddle boarding, or canoeing the Santa Fe River.They will sell you equipment, or just rent it to you for the day. They will evenshuttle you to the river (and back again!) And there is an art gallery thatfeatures regional art created by local artists.Paddling the Santa Fe led to exploring springsIt is an excellent venue for performers too. On the back of the property, there is a stage, built to look like a cave! I missed the Sweet Sounds of Jamaica Music Fest by three days! So be sure to check their events calendar, then you won’t be sad (like me.) Food is available on the grounds only during live music events.Rum Island is so named because of its sweetwater spring. Add sugar cane, and you have the perfect place and product for aprohibition business. Maybe this is why Al Capone had a place just up the road!Paula enjoying a day of paddling on the Santa Fe2. Plaaaay Ball!Maybe you’re headed to Columbia County for abig sports tournament. The Southside Sports Complex is a 500-acre soccer complex, but it doesn’tstop there. There are 26 diamond fields for softball and baseball. Youth sportsevents draw teams from up and down the east coast. When I say it is a bigplace, you don’t have to take my word for it. Just look at the parking lot.Southside has 827 paved parking spaces, but don’t panic. You won’t have to walka mile to the field; they are spread out in four different locations, close tothe various activities (and they do run a tram.) If you’re in the area, checkout their schedule—you just might watch the next Hank Aaron playing!3. Marion StreetEntrance with original tilesMarion Street is a hot spot for locals, serving lunch anddinner. It is a bistro and brewhouse, but it has a fine selection of mixeddrinks and wines, too. On Saturday nights, local musicians perform a variety ofmusic genres.4. Sugar, Sugar!Holly showing off one of her creationsI happened upon the Sugar Dessert Shoppe by accident. Like Bob Ross says, it was a “happy little accident.” The shop is in the same strip mall as Phish Tails Restaurant—how convenient! It has a display case that is sure to delight, and the chocolate bombs are, well, da bomb! Stop in and see what Holly is up to. She’s always trying out new ideas, and you may be lucky enough to taste one! Don’t live anywhere nearby? No problem, she ships!5. Float on Down the RiverA paddle on the Ichetucknee with new friendsIchetuckneeSprings State Park haslots to offer. You can paddle the river in a rented kayak or canoe, stand upand paddleboard, or just float along on a tube. Your choice. They don’t call itFlorida’s Natural Lazy River for nothing! You can spend the night (or all week)at the park in a cabin. There is an interactive display in the Education andExhibit Center so you can learn more about Florida’s natural spring waters.Paddling on the IchetuckneeThe Ichetucknee Head Spring is a National Natural Landmark. Along with eight other springs, it feeds the Ichetucknee River and keeps the water at a comfortable 72 degrees. You can swim or snorkel at the Head Spring or Blue Hole Spring, both at the North Entrance. Blue Hole also offers scuba diving year-round, but you must be cavern or cave certified. Natural clear blue springYou’ve heard the term, “Share the road” which means cars must share the road with bikers. Well, in the springs you have to “Share the spring” when you paddle in from the river you have to watch for divers who pop to the surface unexpectedly.Share the Spring!There are two “planned” trips available atthe park. You can paddle 3.5 miles (about 2 hours, depending on how fast theriver is running) and take the shuttle back to the North Entrance. Or, you cantake the extended trip for more experienced kayakers and go down theIchetucknee into the Santa Fe. This 9-mile (4-6 hour) trip ends at the bridgeat WilliamGuy Lemmon Memorial Park inSuwannee County.6. Enjoy the Music ManOK, maybe you won’t be as lucky as me, but ithappened like this…(really! I can’t make this stuff up!)I was staying at the LakeCity Holiday Inn—very nice,by the way—and on my second night, I was standing out front waiting for my hostto pick me up for dinner. I noticed a guy checking into the hotel with a guitarcase on his luggage cart. Naturally. I said, “What time’s theconcert??” And he says, “What time do you want it?” Always afast thinker, I said, “7:30! I’m going out for dinner now, but I’ll be back bythen.” It turned out he was on his way to record a conga track for his newrecord. (THE best conga player, Wayne Maxwell, lives in Florida—who knew!?) andhe wanted to practice that night anyway, so he asked the bartender if he couldset up and play for free that night. Of course, she said yes! So that is howthere was a private Jo Clark’s Paul Jones Concert! To hear him for yourself,just check out BootleggersMusic Group!Paul Jones belting out an original tuneI’m from South Carolina, and he is from Ohio,but his daughter graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, last year. Iknow ONE person at the Citadel, and she will graduate this year, and…wait forit…they were in the same company! What are the odds??View from my balconyMoral: ALWAYS talk to strangers! Now, about the hotel. It was fresh, clean,quiet (well, except for the concert, which they cut off at 9:30 so it would be quiet for the residents.) There was a largeindoor pool, and you could order breakfast. And there was a nice bar with beer,wine, and even mixed drinks…and live music that night! *smile* 7. Take a Tour and Pick Your BrewRepeat after me: Oatmeal Raisin Stout. Justremember to repeat that to your bartender. Oh. My. Goodness. It is sodelicious. Like dessert in a glass (or a can if you buy some to bring home! Notthat I did that!)Halpatter Brewing Company in Lake City has a remarkable variety of beers. Holly and Jonny Frazier run the brewery. I’m a self-proclaimed wine lover, but I did a full tasting at Halpatter and found more than one tasty brew to refill my glass! They have a helpful menu that lists all the beers—nearly 30 in all! And the list also shows two columns of numbers: the ABV (alcohol by volume) amount and the IBU (International Bitters Unit.) Now, for the first time, I know why I don’t like beer—it is too bitter! Casey helped me discover that I was a happy drinker as long as that IBU was under 20! Supposeyou happen to have a tea-totaler in the group (or a designated driver). In thatcase, they also make a mean cream soda and a pretty tasty root beer!Interesting tidbit: Halpatter means alligator in Seminole, and the brewery isnamed for Halpatter Tustenuggee, the best known Seminole Indian in the area.There is a lite fare menu, too, so you don’thave to rush off to get dinner somewhere else. And most weekend nights, thereis live music outside on the bandstand. So go, stay, and enjoy! It’s a shortwalk back to The Blanche.8. Spend the Night withBlancheNo, Blanche isn’ta person; she is a fabulous, recently renovated hotel in downtown Lake City.She has been a landmark for over 100 years. Downstairs areas are used forgatherings, meetings, dinners, receptions, or dances, with access to a lovelyoutdoor courtyard. There are separate retail spaces along the front and side ofthe block. There is a grand stairway that people “rent” to use for portraits.Upper floors hold business offices, conference rooms, and hotel rooms.The Blanche is a stunning lady9. Down Upon the RiverThe Suwannee River flows lazily through the three-countyarea of Suwannee, Hamilton, and Columbia. The area is known as the SuwanneeRiver Valley. There are outfitters who will rent equipment to you, or plan theentire day and provide everything, including a guide. You can spend a day onthe famous river while soaking in the sights of old Florida.The 246-mile Suwannee originates in Georgia and flows to the Gulf of Mexico. 170 of those miles make up the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail and connect preserves and wilderness areas to Florida State Parks.The Suwannee has so many twists and turns you lose your mental “map” of just where it is and where it’s going. My artist friend, Ann, invited me to come back and visit her when she could take me on a long hike in the woods behind her house. That turned out to be a major hiking trail along the Suwannee. What a beautiful place to live! And there was a small waterfall there. I’m keeping this one our little secret!A small waterfall on the Suwannee River – natural beauty10. FishingFishing in the local rivers means pulling inLarge Mouth Bass, Suwannee Bass, Mullet, Blue Gill, Sun Fish, and ChannelCatfish. Fishing in Alligator Lake has similar offerings, with a few freshwatercatches. 11. Natural Cuban Cooking – Food Truck Café The TKO Cuban Café is a food truck. You can’tmiss the red truck in a vacant lot in Fort White. It is a great place to stopon your way to paddle the Ichetucknee River. And they have several items thatare easy to carry out and eat in just one hand. And don’t forget dessert—themaduros (sweetened fried plantains) are a delight!TKO Cuban Cafe ready to take your order12. Dining OutPhish Tails Bar & Grill is a favorite spot with locals. They have a wide selection of dishes for lunch, from phish philets to mahi bites to a chicken topped salad.Prohibition! I know, it sounds like it should be a bar, and itis, but it is also a great place for small plates. It is a “fine drinking”establishment with entertainment and food. And, it is right in The Blanche! How’s that forconvenience? The oysters on the half shell were divine, and the wine selectionmade me smile!13. Visit a Local GalleryThe Gateway Art Gallery is an exhibit center for over 50 North Floridaartists and artisan crafters. You will find paintings, sculptures, mixed media,photography, pottery, and jewelry in the shop. Plus, you’ll meet some of theartists because they take turns working in the gallery! Each holiday season, the gallery also holdsreception for new galley openings and a large Mistletoe Magic Craft Market. Local artists also offer classes, which areannounced before the beginning of each month. Recent learning opportunitiesincluded alcohol ink painting, acrylics, woodcarving, and jewelry making.Birds in the birches – under constructionBirds in the birches – finishedWhen I visited, I was captivated by beautifulmetal wall hangings. I was invited to meet the artist, Ann Opgenorth, who cutsthe metal, welds the shapes using Oxy-Acetylene welding, and then paints thefinished products. She is also a talented sculptress, artist, stained glasscraftswoman, and quilter! I shadowed her for a day while watching this amazingwoman work. And, she is a fascinating conversationalist, too! Ann welds a piece of the log that the turtles will be climbing onThe finished log with turtles14. Shopping on the SquareOn the square around town, there are severaleclectic shops. Furnishings on Marion sounds like a furniture store, but it holdsfarmhouse and antique furniture, gift items, jewelry, and even goat’s milksoap. Stop in and browse!Just up the block is The Blue Goose Studio, where you will find those one-of-a-kind gifts.From handmade soap to hand-painted furnishings to the kitchen sink, you willhave a great time looking through the nooks and crannies of the store.15. Walk Up an AppetiteWalking and hiking trails criss-cross the county. At Ichetucknee Springs, you can hike to Blue Hole Spring two ways—along the river or by way of Pine Ridge Trail. The park’s North Entrance has three trails to pick from, and at South Entrance, you have two choices. All offer a variety of birdwatching since it is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. You will have a chance to spot water birds, American kestrels, pileated woodpeckers, and barred owls. You’ll also see lots of turtles.River Turtles arming in the sunOlustee Battlefield Historic State Park has aone-mile trail. It has interpretive signs that follow the battle lines. You canget in your exercise, enjoy nature among the longleaf pines (and look forseveral colonies of red-cockaded woodpeckers,) and expand your mind!Alligator Lake’s path along the dikeAt Alligator Lake, there are twelve miles of trails that start near the restrooms or playground and wind along the lake and through 1,000 acres of wetlands and forest. The longest is the Montgomery Trail loop that begins at the canoe launch and circles the lake. Of course, you can always just stay in townand use the pedestrian lanes to walk around Lake DeSoto. And you can set a linehere and try for a bass or bluegill!16. Eating on the SquareThere are also several spots for a meal on the square around town. Stop in at Frankie’s Place. This locally owned restaurant is in the old DeSoto Drug Store. The Italian cuisine is fantastic!17. It’s A Family AffairLike I’ve said, the people in Natural NorthFlorida are just downright friendly. The “love thy neighbor” kind offriendliness. When I was spending time in Jefferson County, I crashed a ChamberAfter Hours gathering(yes, I admit it—it was tons of fun, too!) Anyway, while chatting with allthose friendly folks, I was “ordered” to go get morning doughnuts atJohnston’s. When I met Mr. Johnston a few minutes later, he learned that I washeaded to Lake City the next day. His excitement was evident, and he said,“Then you have GOT to stop and see my friends Dell and Cindy Dicks at FifthGeneration Farms!” I’m so glad I got that tip. The “farm” isactually a big store—the farm is down the road a piece (as we say in theSouth). Delbey and Cindy Dicks have lots of their own produce and meats. Theyalso partner with other family farms and local businesses to carry an extensivelist of specialty products. Everything from raw honey to peanuts to clamchowder to wine! I visited just before Thanksgiving, and theywere sampling all the tasty items you could order for your own “home-cookedholiday.” It was all delicious, but I kept reaching for “just one more”cornbread casserole and *sigh* another piece of Pecan Praline Pie! Is yourmouth watering yet? Oh, and their pulled-pork BBQ? Well, some of it made it to my next stop!They have another generation coming alongnicely. I see a name change in the future! Lake City’s Lake DeSoto resident18. Life in the Slow LaneTake a ride on one of the two on-road bicycle trails. Youcan use the bike lanes to circle Lake DeSoto downtown. It is a popular spot forbiking. You will probably spot this family of ducks on your ride.Anotherpopular biking spot is Alligator Lake, with several paths, and a loop aroundthe entire lake. 19. Enjoy an Alligator HuntAlligator Lake is nearby, with most of it inside the city limits! Yes, it has alligators (this is Florida), but on this fine fall day, there wasn’t a single one in sight. I did spot a snake, but mostly I was there to enjoy the walk and birding. The anhingas were having a great afternoon fishing, and the egrets were taking it all in. The lake has a small boat ramp, and there is a 2-mile walk on the dike. Alligator LakeDuck hunting and fishing are popular on thelake. You could expect to catch Largemouthbass (a 13 pounder hasbeen recorded on the catchand release site), Bluegill, Redearsunfish, or Blackcrappie. 20. Mr. B’s BBQOpen 7 days a week, for lunch and dinner, Mr. B’s is a favorite among locals. The servings are large, so if you are paddling the next day, those extra ribs will feed you and your friends at lunchtime. (Take my word for it!)Ribs and Beans – who could ask for more?21. Osceola National ForestA cypress swamp and pineland preserve of morethan 200,000 acres lie between Columbia and three other counties, Hamilton,Bradford, and Baker. But about half of the forest is in Columbia. The forestincludes campsites and trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.22. Historic BattlefieldThe Battle of Olustee was fought here in February1864. The battle resulted in nearly 2,800 soldiers’ deaths, mostly Unionsoldiers. To learn more about this historical place, you can read about it or come to the battlefieldin February for the re-enactment. History comes alive when you see it in actionon President’s Day Weekend. Scenes for movies such as the 1989 movie Glory havebeen filmed during the re-enactment The Olustee Battlefield Interpretive Centerdisplays artifacts from the battle and shows a short video.23. Historic ChurchTheFalling Creek Methodist Church and Cemetery are near Falling Creek Falls. The logchurch started its life as a Baptist church, and in 1866 the Methodist congregationtook over the building. In the 1880s the log church was replaced by the wood framebuilding you see today. The church is still holding regular services andvisitors are welcome. Falling Creek Methodist Church 24. Falling Creek FallsFalling Creek WaterfallAt Falling Creek Falls, you will view one of Florida’s few waterfalls. Falling Creek Park has picnic tables and an elevated boardwalk which gives you excellent views of the 12-foot waterfall. The water is stained sweet-tea color by the natural river tannins and spills over a limestone ledge.There were very few people at the falls when I visited with my artist friend, Ann. She says that very few people come because they don’t know there is a beautiful waterfall in Florida!Elevated boardwalk over the natural swamp at Falling Creek Falls25. Join in the FestivitiesEvents are plentiful in Columbia County andthe surrounding area. SpringR Us tries to keep themall corralled on their website, so periodically check their listings! Some ofthe highlights to watch for are:Olustee Battle Festival & Re-enactmentFlorida Gateway Pro RodeoGateway City Craft Beer and Wine FestivalInfinity ConSuwannee River JamFlorida Folk FestivalSuwannee HulaweenColumbia County FairOld Tyme Farm DaysFestival of LightsThe post 25 Best Natural Things to Do in Columbia County appeared first on Visit Natural North Florida.
Suwannee River Rules County! 30 Fantastic Activities
Live Oak – and Suwannee County CourthouseSuwanneeprobably comes from an Indian word, “Sawani,” meaning “echo river.” Since theSuwannee River creates the northern, southern, and western borders, the countyis almost an island! It is actually in the shapeof half a heart (aawwww…) Even more water flows through Suwannee County; boththe Ichetucknee River and the Santa Fe River make their way through the county.SuwanneeCounty was officially formed in 1858.1. AHistoric TownLive Oak, the county seat, embraces the past.The old buildings haven’t been demolished to make way for more modernstructures. Instead, the buildings have been repurposed. The Chamber ofCommerce is found in the 1908 Italianate-style City Hall, Police and FireDepartment, and jail—the two jail cells are intact. The center tower was usedas a fire lookout. The Live Oak Union Depot was built in 1909and moved in 1985 when threatened with demolition. That passenger depot is nowused for meeting space and displays of historical photographs and used as asatellite campus by North Florida College. Next door, the Freight Stationhouses a beautiful museum. Plan on a couple of hours learning about the historyof Live Oak and Suwannee County.Military section of the museumThe Downtown Heritage Trail map of the Historic BusinessDistrict will guide youthrough a three-block area. Most of the town’s oldest structures (built before1925) are located in this area. Many are listed on the National Register ofHistoric Places, and some are listed on the FloridaHeritage Trail. One home wasordered from the Sears-Roebuck catalog, arrived by rail, and was constructed bythe homeowner.The few sites outside this area can bereached by car. There are 31 locations marked on the map, and the first 17 arean easy walk. Time it right, and you’ll be passing by one of the great downtowneateries just before the lunch rush!2. Stubborn SouthernDeterminationOne of those historic houses (built 1915)deserves its own paragraph. In a testament to his determination to win anargument with the government, homeowner R. P. Hopkins had a bedroom added for aparticular reason (no, not that!) Mr. Hopkins was told he could not run forCity Council because his house was not within city limits. He added a bedroomon the north side of the house, placing it squarely inside the city limits! Genius!3. Piece Together a QuiltLive Oak has Quilt Squares, like the ones you see on barns throughout the South, on businesses in town, and even making their way onto private residences. The trail has its own Facebook page! You can download a map for the Live Oak Quilt Trail, but it is really more fun to make a scavenger hunt of it! At last count, there were 50 squares on display. At the Suwannee County Tourist Development Department, Charissa told me that local merchants who want a square are matched up with a Live Oak Artists Guild member who constructs and paints the customized square. When the quilt is completed, it is installed on the exterior wall of the business.4. Got Gas?I know you’re thinking, “Great? You’re goingto tell me where to buy gas??” Well, kinda-sorta. I’m going to tell you whereto spend an hour or two getting gas! *smile* You may have guessed this isn’t yourrun-of-the-mill gas station or even a fancy truck stop. The only way todescribe the Busy Bee Travel Plaza is an—experience! Honestly, when have you ever bought gas, chargedyour phone (for free), watched a ball game (IN the potty), had a sit-downburger lunch, bought a birthday gift for your favorite aunt (shhh…don’t tellAunt Shelby!), and left with a box of 16 kinds of handmade fudge?My hand is raised—is yours? Since it is a travel plaza, you could do a load oflaundry and have a shower too.Charissa had no trouble making her selection!I hear that the people traveling on I-10 evenbypass the interstate rest stop just to visit the Busy Bee. What a greatdecision! After all, it has been nominated several years as one of TruckerPath’s “Stop of the Year.”5. Explore A Home andFamily’s HistoryThe Crapps family bought Heritage Park &Gardens in 1951 andraised ten children there. In 1954 a fire tragically destroyed the home. Two ofthe boys smelled smoke and alerted their father. Thankfully, the children werelowered to the ground from the master bedroom. When Mr. Crapps rebuilt thehome, he added innovative features to make the house nearly fireproof, anadvanced concept 70 years ago. The outside walls are solid brick; interiorwalls, floors, and beams were structural steel and concrete. The Crapps family homeThe kitchen was state-of-the-art, and sincemost fires in homes start in the kitchen, Mr. Crapps, understandably paranoid,tiled the walls and ceiling for fire protection. He had a steel door installedbetween the kitchen and the rest of the house, operated automatically by a heatsensor.Mr. Crapps had a teacher’s mind; the deskchair in his home office has a bullet hole in it. A visitor thought a gun wasunloaded and discharged it. The only casualty was Mr. Crapps’ chair. He refusedto repair the chair and instead left it to remind the children of how dangerousa gun can be—even an “unloaded” one!Today, the house and grounds are availablefor meetings, events, and weddings. Tours can be scheduled in advance; justgive them a call.6. Kiss a Tiger!Jo and Spike, up close and personalMaybe kissing a tiger isn’t for everybody.Still, after being behind the scenes at Mystic Jungle, I knew he deserved akiss! I watched Spike play with the handlers and “huff” at me countless times(huffing is a good thing). It is easy to forget he is a wild catand not a friend’s house kitty. He was born in captivity and raised in therescuer’s home. Who woke me up!Each animal at the center has a differentstory, like the parrot taught by his former owner to say inappropriate thingslike, “Grandpa is an ***!” Unfortunately, it’s a hard habit to “untrain,” andhe is a friendly, easy-to-handle bird who could visit schools—but what wouldthe teacher think!Mystic Jungle is a wildlife sanctuary andeducational center. The animals are well cared for and well-loved. There isnone of the anxious pacing you see at many facilities and zoos. One reason forthis is there is a limitation on the number of tours each week. So be sure tocall and reserve your time to visit. Be sure you get my good side!The owner told me a touching story. Duringthe height of Covid, when visitors were not allowed, they noticed the animalswere lethargic—they were depressed because no one was visiting. So the workershad to put on their khaki uniforms and bring their family members through on“tours” to cheer up the animals. 7. Eat by Lantern-LightA group of us had a scrumptious lunch at the Brown Lantern (thanksfor joining us, Mr. Mayor!) My favorite thing about the Brown Lantern? Theyclearly understand what the “B” in BLT stands for! Yum! That was theMayor’s dish, but I stole a picture (okay, and a piece of bacon!) My VooDoo Shrimpwas perfectly seasoned, lightly breaded, and fried to perfection. Being a wimp,I asked for their VooDoo sauce on the side, and light dips were all it neededto tantalize my taste buds!Opensince 1977, the Lantern is downtown. Which means it closes on weekends. Planaccordingly. You don’t want to miss out!8. Learn to Dive bythe RiverIt turns out that this area has THE. BEST.CAVES. In the world!! Who knew? I talked with cave divers from all over theworld who come to Suwannee County to cave dive! Florida has more than 1,000springs—more than anywhere else in the world. And 46 of those are in SuwanneeCounty! Some are only accessible by water (I’ve been in a few of those!) andsome are on private property; you can own your own spring—how cool is that? Lotsof them also have caves. One of the longest underwater cave systems in theUnited States is Peacock Springs—right here in Suwannee County!Suwannee County SpringAnd Georges Gawinowski is one of the bestcave diving instructors around! He was on a cave-diving expedition in Mexicofrom his home in France when someone said, “Man, you need to go to Florida!” Hedid, and the rest of the story is that he and his wife moved to Suwannee Countystarted a cave diving school, WDT Dive Scuba DivingSchool. When students neededa break from long days of diving, he adopted a rescue horse and trained it forriding. The students, or their family members who stayed behind each day,started to ride. Soon Georges needed another horse, then two!Georges ending a classThe DiveOutpost in Live Oak isanother place to learn cave diving or just pick up supplies. The Outpost has afill station, cabins, dorms, campgrounds, and access to springs. There are sixsprings less than 8 miles from the dive shop. And two other springs in a30-minute drive.9. The Bells Are RingingFirst United Methodist BellThe First United Methodist Church wasestablished in 1865; they built this building in 1928, with beautiful gothicstained-glass windows. They installed organ pipes from the original church’sorgan and laid the foundation from stones taken from the original church. Thechurch bell was placed in the memory of Wallace W. McCormick by his family. Thebeautiful inscription on the plaque says, “May your people hasten to yourchurch when they hear the call of this bell.”10. Restaurant, Bar &Music on the Deck The Dowling House is imposingThe Dowling House was built in 1904. The Greek Revival house’s massive columns support a wrap-around porch. Today the renovated house is home to The 406 and a bar with live music on the main floor. There is a more laid-back prohibition-style cigar bar upstairs. Renovations wrapped up in time for New Year’s Eve!11. Escape to the PastView from the inside of the buggyHave you ever seen an Amish buggy andwondered what it would be like to have lived in a simpler time? At the Dragonfly Ranch, you can find out! Owner Georges will prepare apicnic lunch and drive up to three people to Charles Springs in a comfortablebuggy. The trip takes about 2 hours; then, you stop for lunch before returningto the ranch.Or you can go horseback riding on trail ridesdesigned for various levels of skill. There is a beginner’s 30-minute ride.Advanced riders can enjoy a 1.5, 2, 2.5, or a 6-hour ride on the Suwannee Rivertrails, the Christian Tract (338 acres of woods along the Suwannee), or theall-day Charles Springs ride, which includes lunch. Christian Tract trail toward the Suwannee RiverGeorges is a natural tour guide entertainingand educational (with an endearing French accent) and will tell stories aboutthe Suwannee River area, springs, and sinkholes. Be sure to tell him hello forme!Oh, and if you’d like to take your horse andstay nearby, all you need to do is ask. Georges will make it happen. 12. Pack Your Hiking Boots For a River HikeTheNature Trails at Suwannee River State Park offer paths of varying lengths.You only have to decide how many miles you have in you on any given day!Wildlife such as white-tailed deer, turkey, fox, and gopher tortoise are frequentlyspotted as you hike by sinks, streams, springs, limestone outcroppings, and theriver. There is also the Branford Greenway in Branford. It is partof Florida’s rail trail. The start of the Heritage TrailTheFlorida Trailleads you underneath the Graffiti Bridge (the Suwannee Springs Bridge) and beside the Suwannee River. Park at the bridgeand walk across to start your hike.You can also walk the Heritage Trail in Live Oak. It is part of Suwannee Parks and Recreation.13. Visit Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park’s Chapel and GrandeHallDestination weddings. You hear the term moreand more. People want to say “I do” in a beautiful place, stay in a beautifulplace, have a beautiful wedding—and have it all arranged by someone else! The Grande Halloverlooks the Suwannee River and is the ideal place for the reception.Fountain in the lake in front of the chapel14. Blue WaterBeautiful blue-green springs, so clear youcan see your toes. And I don’t mean just one spring either! Suwannee has 46 of these hidden gemswithin the county. Peacock, Royal, Little River, Charles, Cow, Branford,Falmouth, Anderson, and Suwannee. WOW! What a richly-blessed area this is.Bring a bathing suit and towel; you’re going to want to get wet! Many of thesprings have port-a-potties, but few have bathhouses.15. Stay for a Night—ormore!Want to stay in a rustic cabin? A modernmotel? An RV resort? (in their cabin or your camper…or even a treehouse!) The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOS) isn’t just an entertainment venue. It isalso a fantastic resort, with 800 acres and over 1,000 improved campsites andthe capacity to handle 40’ and longer RVs. And you can bring your horse! Thepark has horse camping available, with paddock sites or stalls. Non-campers canpay a day-use trail fee. The park has 4 miles of trails for you to enjoy andaccess to another 50 miles of trails. You can ride along the banks of theSuwannee or explore eight ecosystems within the park. Rent this treehouse and have a front-row deck for concerts!The friendly folks at SOS can arrange foryour needs during your stay; a canoe or kayak so you can paddle the SuwanneeRiver Wilderness Trail; a tour; an art class. Attend a music event at SOS. You will enjoythat concert in the amphitheater shaded by a canopy of oaks. A list of artistswho have performed at SOS includes Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, James Brown, andThe Allman Brothers. There are several stages throughout the park and an indoorMusic Hall.Part of the drive-through display at Spirit of the SuwanneeThe park’s Christmas Lights display is not to be missed. There are walkable parts, driveable parts, and even an animated band playing with no breaks!And the band plays onOh, and if you are into geocaching…well,never mind. I’ve probably already said too much!16. Graffiti BridgeThe Suwannee Springs Bridge, built in 1931, has been abandoned for over 50years. It has become known as The Bridge to Nowhere and a canvas for graffiti.The bridge spans 160 feet over the river and is open for foot and bike traffic.The bridge leads to the Florida Trail, and it will take you down by the riverand underneath the bridge.Makea quick detour to see this bridge. I did, and I met two guys, friends for 50years. A friendship that has stood the test of time, they were there recreatinga photo taken in the same place 40 years ago. The spot is markedwhere a proposal took place—she said “Yes!”17. Climb Your Family TreeThe SuwanneeValley Genealogy Society wasformed in 1992 to discover and preserve the region’s heritage and the area’speople. The research available includes eight Natural North Florida countiesplus most other states and several European countries. The library is free forSVGS members; non-members can pay $10 a day to use the resources.18. South of the BorderTasteGuava & cheese pastelitosThe newest spot to eat in Live Oak justhappened to open the week I visited. (Wasn’t that nice of them!) LatinFlavor Café Fl servesthree meals a day and has American- and Latin-style sandwiches, wings, shakes,salads, vegetable juices, and bakery items. Tell Rosemary I sent ya! If you’reon the run, empanadas make great hand-held food for the road. And for goodnesssake, get a guava & cheese pastelitos!19. Cycle the River TrailsThe Suwannee Bicycle Association has a plan—whether you want to pedal, paddle,or play! The SBA was formed over 25 years ago to promote awareness and usage ofthe Suwannee River Valley. They publish cycling maps with QR codes; pick oneup! There are ten mapped routes on 270 miles of low-traffic country roads. Youcan’t beat the scenery in the Suwannee Valley. The SBA has also put togetherone-day or even multi-day paddle trips. The SBA sponsors events nearly everymonth and away trips. You may want to apply for membership.20. State Parks in theCountyThe 1,800-acre SuwanneeRiver State Park isfound where the Withlacoochee River and the Suwannee River join forces. Thereis an overlook with a panoramic view of both rivers as they flow together. Thepark has a boat ramp, fishing locations, campsites for either tent or RVcamping, restrooms, showers, and five full-service cabins.The park has nature trails that take you bysinks, streams, springs, limestone outcroppings, and the river. Wildlife isfound in abundance. Asecond state park is the Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park. Wes was afamous cave diver who passed away a few years ago. Peacock Springs State Parkamended its name to honor him. His daughter is a free diver. Her fiancée wantedher dad to “be there,” so last year he proposed underwater at Peacock. AsCharissa says, *I’m not crying.*21. BBQ – It’s a SouthernThing!My dinner–eaten at the full bar (no waiting!)Yes, southerners love their BBQ. We’ll BBQanything that stands still! Big Woods BBQ in Live Oak served me some top-notch pulledpork, dry-rubbed and dipped in their house-made sauce. Dished up beside theirsignature BBQ beans, mashed and Texas Toast, with my glass of Pinot, and I wasa happy girl! 22. Way Down Upon theSuwannee River…Suspension bridge over the Suwannee RiverLoaded Hot DogYou know Stephen Foster’s song. Now visit theriver that bears the name and the bridge with lyrics from the song. The sunsets over the Hal W Adams bridge, and with good clouds, it makes abeautiful sight—that blue suspension bridge and pink sky. On your way togetting this shot, you will pass through Luraville. Go ahead and stop for a dogat the Luraville Country Store. But eat it with a fork. You’re welcome!23. Lunch with LocalsThe Dixie Grill hasbeen a Live Oak fixture since 1959! Charles and Myra Thomas bought the place in1984 and haven’t slowed down. Son Robbie is known as Chef Boy RT—you know, likeChef Boy-ar-dee *smile* and is now putting his spin on the dishes with what hecalls New South cuisine. Let me tell you—it works! Much of the produce comesfresh from the local farms (try the fried green tomatoes!) But save room for pie!You’re forewarned (and the cooler of pies by the front door doesn’t hurt as areminder!) And get there early, or you will be waiting for a table.24. Famous HouseThereis a famous house in Live Oak. No, I’m not talking about the historic downtown houses(although there are plenty of those!) I’m talking about a house that was builton television! Yep. If you’re a fan of the program Treehouse Masters,you’ll be interested to learn that they came and built a treehouse on the riverat Spirit of the Suwannee! It is amazing! It isn’t rented out (yet!) but myname is on that list!Now THIS is a tree house!!25. Visit Suwannee SpringsNatural NorthFlorida is all about rivers and springs. But did you realize that SuwanneeSprings was one of Florida’s first tourist destinations? The originalspringhouse was probably built before the Civil War. The “healing waters” wererumored to cure anything that ailed you, from gout to marital discord! Up untilthe 1920s the site had hotels, a bath house, and private cottages. There waseven a private spur on the rail line! When the last hotel burned in 1925, theproperty was left to return to nature. But you can still imagine the hushedvoices in the walls of the springhouse if you listen closely. Or, maybe it isjust the gurgle of the river. I’ll let you decide.Original shot of the Spring at the turn of the 20th Century26. Go for the CheeseI’m still dreamingof the Garlic Knots from the ItalianPizzeria in Live Oak. And that pizza! Three of us shared it, and sentnearly half home with Jimmy Norris, Director of Economic Development. Thecheese alone would fill up a normal person! We arrived starving after a daychasing springs, and jumped at the first thing we saw—pizza!! Too late I learnabout their Stuffed Meat Pizza—five kinds of meat covered on both sideswith a thin crust, like…pizza meets quesadilla! I’ll be baaaaack!27. Join in the FestivitiesYou already know Natural North Florida is all about thefestivals! But Suwannee County takes it to a whole ’nother level! I mean, thesepeople can par-ty!!The first to arrive for the classic car showChristmas on theSquare’s ribbon-cutting was on Thursday night before the first weekend inDecember. It was the 37th year for the event! The festivities begin with thetree lighting, a Fun Run, and live entertainment. The next evening there is adowntown-wide arts and crafts show, live entertainment, fireworks, Santa Land,and Snow! 30 tons of the white stuff! Saturday, the events continue from 8 amuntil 4 pm, and a car and truck show is added. At 4, everyone rushes to clearthe streets for the Grand Finale—the 6 pm Lighted Christmas Parade!28. Snow on theSquareBut, let me tellyou about Snow on the Square. This town closes the streets for two wholedays to make room for vendors (over 200) and food trucks. Oh, andsnow. Yes…snow…in Florida. There is a huge pile just for the little kids (andCharissa). Jo, Marshall, and Charissa make the first runThen there is the sledding hill. An entire block is devoted to a three-lane-wide hill of snow. There was a line starting before 5 pm, and it was still a line after 8 pm. Charissa, Marshall from the Busy Bee, and I had to ensure it was in proper working order, so we made a couple of test runs. Snow on the Square is a fantastic community effort to provide a snow experience for every child in Live Oak and Suwannee County. Three years ago, when someone suggested charging $2 per child, it was Marcell who said, “No, absolutely not. If that charge keeps just one child from enjoying the snow, we have failed.” He then pledged that the Busy Bee would sponsor the snow that year and every year since. That is the kind of community you find in Suwannee County. That is the Live Oak spirit.Coca-Cola Santa arrives in Live OakAnd Santa! Theofficial Coca-Cola Santa arrives in a light-up semi just after dark. The wholetown turned out for this! Being the town’s writer for the event, I got to siton his lap first—I know, it’s a tough job! *smile* The crowd was patient asthey watched the set-up for the children (every child got a toy!) If you wantto recover your childhood Christmas spirit, you need to be in Live Oak inDecember! Jo and Chrissa tell Santa their secrets!The evening wrapsup with a fireworks display that would put July 4th to shame! Oh, my goodness!They were scheduled to start at 9 pm, but true to form, Marshall just couldn’twait. The biggest kid in Suwannee County shot off the first burst at 8:55! Andthe displays continued, not one at a time spaced out like most places, but two,three, or four at once, and continued for more than 20 minutes! 29. Other FestivalsIknow—I’m reeling at all that festival offers, and yet, there’s more! I warnedyou, this place is party central! During the year there are festivals at SOSand in the community; like:Suwannee Roots Revival Music FestivalSuwannee Hulaween – biggest festival of the year—people comefrom other countries!Old Tyme Farm DaysWedding ExpoSuwannee Spring Reunion – bluegrass and stringmusicSuwannee Rising – music festivalSuwannee River Jam – country music and campingfestivalWings Over Suwannee – festival to inspire kidsto consider aviation careersWellborn Blueberry FestivalSuwannee River Riding Club Rodeo30. Thank a Vet Before you leave Live Oak and Suwannee County, stop downtown, and pay your respects at the Veteran’s Memorial—you can spot it by the Spearmint mural! The grounds of this block are well kept, peaceful, and respectful. There is a plaque dedicated to Live Oak’s Vietnam hero, Army pilot Captain Charley James Ford. He was a highly decorated Special Forces Green Beret.The post Suwannee River Rules County! 30 Fantastic Activities appeared first on Visit Natural North Florida.
18 of the Best Adventures in Taylor County
Sunsets over the Steinhatchee River are breathtakingTaylor County is in the Big Bend of Florida—where the state curves and wraps around the Gulf of Mexico. The county has picturesque fishing villages and towns, such as Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach. And for Heaven’s sake, call it STEEN-hatch-ee. If you say it like a German beer STEIN, you’ll be marked an outsider and snickered at (did I just say that?!) With its undeveloped coastline (the longest in the entire state!) Taylor County is the best place for outdoor and eco-tourism adventures.Founded in 1856, Taylor County was named in honor of Zachary Taylor, thetwelfth president of the United States.1. A Deep-rooted History (literally!)The roots of Taylor County are connected to trees. The county once provided timber to much of the world, earning the title “Tree Capital of the South.” At the 13-acre Forest Capital Museum State Park, visitors can explore a Cracker Homestead and learn how north Florida settlers lived at the turn of the century. You can see the grooves that wheels of covered wagons cut into the rocks of the Steinhatchee River as they crossed at the falls. This is a spot where you can reach out and touch the footsteps of our ancestors. I don’t know about you, but adventures like that give me chills!InOctober, the park is filled with thousands of visitors for the Florida Forest Festival, a tribute to the historyof the logging trade. The 2022 event will mark the festival’s unbelievable 70thyear! Festivities begin early in October with events every weekend; a beautypageant, a “Little King & Queen” pageant, followed by a carnival, StrutYour Mutt contest, a 5K run, and the King Tree Parade. Thatsounds like quite a festival, right? And yet, the people of Taylor County arejust getting warmed up! The World’s Largest Free Fish Fry starts at noon on thefinal Saturday and serves over 5,000 catfish dinners. Adventuresabound all day: arts and crafts boothsheavy equipment exhibitslumberjack showschain saw and crosscut saw competitionsmilitary vehicle showclassic car showThe music stage schedules bands to perform from 12:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. And the best part of these adventures? They are all free!2. Go with the FlowWith four rivers flowing through the county, you have plenty of choices for fishing adventures, including inshore and offshore saltwater fishing and river fishing. The Steinhatchee River defines one county boundary. The Gulf of Mexico marks the edge of another. The Econfina River begins in the county’s northern border and flows through to the south edge, dumping into the Gulf. Pronounced“ee-con-fee-nee,” Econfina is the Native American word for “natural bridge.” Andit is a bridge through the forests of oak, palm, and pine leading to the saltmarshes. The area provides nearly 15 miles of hiking, bicycling, and horsebackriding trails. Keep your eyes open for wildlife sightings of deer, bobcats, andbirds. I heard it was THE best place for trout on the coast, but shhh…youdidn’t hear that from me!Pelican posing for a profilePlus,an abundance of creeks, springs, and access to the Apalachee Bay ensure enoughvariety for a month! Florida anglers from all parts of the state come here forthe chance to hook a trophy sea trout, grouper, or redfish.Wet a lineFishingon the Steinhatchee River is best in the fall when spotted sea trout invade theRiver from the Gulf. You can learn about the “hot spots” by asking locals andat marinas and bait shops.Themouth of the Aucilla River has seagrass beds and oyster bars, tide channels,and deep holes. In other words—fish heaven! The Aucilla has Spanish mackerel,flounder, tarpon, redfish, and sea trout. Drop in a line and fish your day away.Allthese water adventures do have a requirement in common—you need a boat! Ofcourse, you can bring your own equipment. Or you can contact one of the areamarinas or outfitters and rent exactly what you need. There are even clearkayaks, which would be a bonus during manatee season! Or you can book acharter and, as an old Greyhound commercial used to say, “sit back and leavethe driving to us.”Feel free to “catch” more than fish. Shrimp, blue crabs, and stone crabs are abundant in pristine water. Bring your rod and reel or use the charter’s equipment. You’re sure to enjoy your adventures! Interesting Tip: Many anglers return for boar and deer hunting in the winter.3. Outdoor Adventures on a Side-by-SideMaybeyou don’t know what a side-by-side is—I didn’t know the term, but when I sawwhat I was being picked up in, I immediately knew what they were! These fastlittle 4-wheelers have their seats beside each other rather than behind thedriver like a motorcycle. Jo is ready for adventures with Donovan and friendsFiddler’s Restaurant and Resort General Manager, Donovan Wulf, made this happen. He called in friends with side-by-sides, and away we went! Flying down the backroads and on the shoulders of main roads, are unique adventures! The county has several roads known as “the road to nowhere.” Most of the paths we took led through water at one point or another, so don’t try this in a car! Pro Tip: Leave your good camera back in your room. Your cell phone and a GoPro are all you need, and you don’t want to spend the day worrying about keeping your good camera high and dry! Besides, the noise of a group of side-by-sides will scare off all but the most persistent birds.4. Explore and Soak Up HistoryPerryis the county seat and was incorporated in 1903. Historical buildings includethe oldest remaining public building in Taylor County—The Old Taylor CountyJail. Perry has several historic churches; one, the Catholic Church of TheImmaculate Conception, was built in 1918; First Methodist was constructed in1899. The old railroad station, built in 1918, now houses a florist, gift shop,and coffee shop. And the tracks next to the station? Still in use!ThePerry Post Office has a story to tell too. During the Depression, the postoffice was built in 1935 to create jobs for the local workers. It also receiveda government grant for Florida artist George Snow Hill to paint a mural inside.When the new Perry Post Office was built in 1987, “Cypress Logging” wasrelocated to the new building.Oh, and doughnuts. You have to try the doughnuts at Johnson’s Bakery; I admit it, that was the real reason for the detour to Perry! We won’t talk about their cookies—I was “gifted” an assortment. I tried to resist; I really did. I said, “Please, no! I don’t need all those calories.” My host, Dawn, suggested that they would make a nice breakfast the next day. I remember, I laughed in her face, and exclaimed, “Those cookies won’t make it back to Steinhatchee!!” Thirty miles into the 38-mile trip, the box was empty. I’m weak—those cookies were calling my name! That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.SteinhatcheeSteinhatcheeis a fishing town. It is a town where life revolves around the river and theGulf. In the 1930s, it was sponge boats; after WWII, when disease killed mostof the sponges, there was a shift to commercial and recreational fishing; today,the mix includes the hospitality industry. A large boat ramp and plenty ofparking are available for visitors. Steinhatchee is at the center of the BigBend Saltwater Paddling Trail. After a full day of adventures, visitors willfind a selection of restaurants for dinner and lots of choices for lodging.JenaThetiny town of Jena is just across the river from the town of Steinhatchee. Ok,technically, it is in Dixie County. Go anyway; they won’t mind a bit! Jena hasa large public boat launch, boat rentals, and restaurants serving up deliciouslocal seafood. Who Dat isright on the Steinhatchee, so you not only have a great meal, you also have agreat view!Who Dat before the lunch crowd5. Catch Your SupperCapt McGriff and my host, Dawn Fishing captains are easy to find in fishing villages. Based on my vast fishing experience of two trips, I can recommend a couple! I recommend Captain Pat McGriff even though we never made it past the no-wake zone. We had engine trouble, and although Capt. McGriff got the motor restarted, troubleshooting told him it was likely the alternator. He expressed concern that it might not start to get us back if we went out for the day. Capt. McGriff made the difficult decision to call off the charter. It cost him a day’s pay but earned him much more in goodwill in the long run.Ihad better luck with Capt. Champ Klein of SaltyTails Charters. We got off to an early start on our inshore expedition. We hadperfect weather even though it was cold enough to wear my pj’s under my clothes(What? I packed for November in Florida–notfor 43º and windy!) Lesson learned—thermals don’t take up a lot of space, andyou just never know! Yes, his trout is bigger than mineBut he didn’t rub it in (much)!You’dthink living three blocks from the beach, I’d be an old pro at fishing. You’dbe wrong. But Capt. Champ showed me how to cast and “read” the water. He waspatient (even after I let fish eat my shrimp without reeling them in) andcontinued to bait my line with shrimp. I told him I could do that, but heclaimed it was his “job.” I hope he feels the same way about opening scallops—Ididn’t have to be asked twice to come back for this summer’s scallop season!Capt. Champ, me, bags of scallops, and a knife! It’s a plan! Interesting Fact: Scallopcomes from the French word for shell, “escalope.” The first to document this delicacywas Marco Polo in 1280! Scallop FactsBefore you start feeling bad for those beautiful scallops, let me tell you—they’re dying anyway, so you may as well eat them! Scallops live only a year or so before dying or being eaten by a crab, octopus, a shell-crushing fish, or, well, me! And scallops are prolific—a single scallop produces more than a million eggs! Capt. Champ calls scalloping adventures “Underwater Easter egg hunts.” My basket is already packed!6. Have Your Fish CookedSeverallocal restaurants will cook your fillets once you have caught your limit andcleaned your fish. Fiddler’s chef asked me how I wanted mine cooked. I was withfriends, one didn’t like fish, and the other only liked fried. I told the chef,fry some of it and, since I couldn’t decide between blackened and grilled,surprise me! I guess the chef couldn’t decide either, so he prepared it allthree ways! I have to say grilled gets my vote! YUM! That trout…it was good allthree ways, but grilled…OMG! I’m drooling now, just thinking about it!Fried, blackened, and grilled Sea Trout from a day’s fishing7. Eat More CrabKathi’s Crab Shack is a local fixture. Eatthere, and you’ll know why! Arrive after the lunch crowd leaves, so you get alittle extra attention. Be sure to ask what’s available that isn’t on the menu. Kathi’sowners spend their days fishing and crabbing, so you may get some tastysurprises! Like some of the best tuna sashimi anywhere. And shrimp cakes—evenbetter than their crab cakes! The drink menu is like reading the flavors at anice cream stand—you can’t try just one! Plus, they have live music every weekendin the covered outside bar.Sashimi with wasabi seeds–what a treat!8. Music by the RiverOnweekends there is live music at Fiddler’s Restaurant and Resort’s riverfront deck. Alarge seating area and an outside bar wraps around the back of the restaurant.There is a bar out front too, beside the billiards room, that serves “bar food”like hamburgers and hot dogs.The band had the crowd out of their seats and dancing9. Visit a WaterfallYes,I know it’s Florida. Notice I didn’t say “breathtaking waterfall!” *giggles*But there is a waterfall—SteinhatcheeFalls. And it is Florida’s widest waterfall. The falls pour over a seriesof limestone rocks, creating rapids. The fall’s height depends on the amount ofrainfall in recent weeks. The dirt road in is accessible by car or a 3.3-milemulti-use trail. Steinhatchee Falls10. Escape to the BeachKeatonBeach is a long, peaceful drive from Steinhatchee. On my first trip, I spotteda couple of eagles (cue “brake hard & swerve right!”) I’ve taken bettereagle portraits, but my heart still fills to bursting whenever I spot ourNational Bird! Keaton Beach Pier provides a perfect lookout. And you may justspot an otter changing ponds and running right across the road! Keaton Beachattracts anglers, too. Just take a peek at my very first saltwater catch!A picnic gazebo on Keaton BeachThesmall beach is peaceful, and there is a playground for the little ones. I hope oneday they park a hot dog or an ice cream truck out there!11. Get Out Your Life ListBirderswill have a field day (pun intended) in Taylor County. There have been over 260rare species of birds sighted here. The Nature Coast has a variety of habitats,so it attracts a remarkable variety of bird species. One of the best spots is HickoryMound Impoundment near the town of Perry. It is a part of the BigBend Wildlife Management Area. The unpaved access roads are bumpy, so goslow until you connect with the WMA roads. The drive is sooo worth it! The pondand surrounding wildflowers attract butterflies, blue- and green-winged teals,hooded mergansers, buffleheads, herons, egrets, ospreys, kites, and baldeagles. Hard-packed roads for biking and hiking and hiking-only trails allow accessto the area, dependent upon tide levels.WMA roads are stunningly beautifulThe60-miles of coastline and marshes are home to clappers, plovers, and wadingbirds. The public park at Keaton Beach is a perfect starting point. Furthersouth is the “premier shorebird location on Florida’s Gulf Coast.” Hagen’sCove (just follow the signs from CR 361) has an observation tower offeringspectacular views while you are spotting sandpipers, reddish egrets, andherons. Morehiking trails parallel the banks of the Aucilla River. The Aucilla Sinks Trailwinds along between sinkholes where the river disappears and reappears foreight miles along the limestone riverbed. The trail gives hikers a view of thearea’s unique geology. 12. Shoot the Sunset with the LocalsThe perfect name for the perfect spotAskanyone, “Where is the best place to take sunset pictures?” Without hesitation,you will be told, “The parking lot at Roy’sRestaurant!” I arrived early and was amazed that the parking lot wasmagically filled with cars, trucks, golf carts, a couple of bicycles, and amotorcycle just minutes before the sunset! Like me, some were taking photos,while most were just enjoying the view.13. Visit Dancing Waters’ ChapelThis chapel would be a romantic place to exchange your vowsThepopularity of destination weddings continues to grow. If you want to say your“I dos” in Old Florida, this gothic chapel with 12-foot stained glass windowsand vaulted ceilings would be hard to top. Dancing Waters’ Chapel is set on 35 acres; you haveoptions for the ceremony and the reception. It’s also a beautiful place tosimply visit and walk around if you aren’t getting married. It would also be aspecial place for a proposal. Just sayin’. Insider Tip: Just past the Chapel, you’ll spot a housewith a sign declaring that former President Jimmy Carter and his wife visited often.They especially liked Hagen’s Cove.Inside the chapel14. Big Bend WatersKayakingis another adventure visitors seek. The Big BendSaltwater Paddling Trail gives you miles of solitude. It is the perfectplace for birdwatching and gives you an insider’s peek at old Florida.15. But Where Can You Spend the Night?Thereare so many choices for lodging. You only need to decide if you want to stay ina rustic cabin, a modern motel, a condo, a house, an upscale resort, or yourcamper.Oh,and then there is the choice of where youwant to stay. River view? Beachfront? Secluded in the woods?16. Fiddler’s RiversideClam ChowderFiddler’s Restaurant and Resort is a one-stop-shop for atourist! They can hook you up with a great room, cottage, house at SteinhatcheeLanding, or even an RV space. The restaurant serves delicious food from themenu. Most nights, they have a buffet—like Taco Tuesday and Seafood Friday.There is a gift shop with the usual “touristy” items as well as clothing,swimwear, and the necessities you may have forgotten to pack. If it is an adventureyou seek, they can also hook you up with the right outfitter or guide foranything that catches your interest!17. Fish for Fun(ds)Fishingtournaments sound like tons of fun. But when you talk about thousands ofdollars in prize money…well… let’s go fish!Thereis a tournament almost every month of theyear, and some months have two, and one even has four! 18. Annual EventsYoualready know all about the Florida Forest Festival in October. There are onlythree festival-free months in Taylor! They have such a variety; you’re sure tofind just the thing to tempt you.Fiddler Crab Festival-FebruaryBig Ben Brewfest-MarchFlorida State Bluegrass Festival-AprilTaylor County Chili Challenge-AprilFourth of July Celebration-JulySmokin’ in the Pines BBQ Festival-SeptemberFlorida Forest Festival-OctoberTrunk or Treat & Costume Contest-OctoberDowntown Christmas & Santa’s Little Helper Parade-DecemberIguess I can sum up Taylor County best by stealing a line from one of theirbrochures. Taylor County offers visitors and residents, old or new, a lot. Theysay that when you ask people who live there what they’re doing for vacation,they reply, “Why go on vacation when I have paradise right in my own backyard!”Yep. They’re right. And I’m overdue for another trip to paradise!Boaters heading in for the night–Good Night, Steinhatchee!The post 18 of the Best Adventures in Taylor County appeared first on Visit Natural North Florida.
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