Newsletters: May - June 2008

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Florida Fresh Air!

Natural Times-May/June 2008

By Bridget Kamke

Florida’s long days have arrived. Now is the time to get out and enjoy some outside activities in the local area.

If you are up early, take a hike on some trails before the heat of the day hits, and bring your water. Leon Sinks, just south of town, is a nice walk and pretty easy for all ages, with mostly flat trails and interesting geological formations. My favorite part is the boardwalk through the gum swamp with the tupelo trees. Another fun place to hike is The Nature Conservancy’s Garden of Eden Trail, a much more challenging hike with ravines. The steep inclines remind me of mountain climbing. Phipps-Overstreet Greenway Park and Tom Brown Park have fun trails as well. The Miccosukee Greenway Loop features shady sweetgum forests and rolling grasslands. Explore the Indian Mounds near Lake Jackson and contemplate a bit of history while you get your fresh air on their trails.

On a sunny day, it is fun to take a dip in the cold water of Wakulla Springs. The park is family friendly, with a sandy beach area, a diving board and floating docks. I highly suggest signing up for a boat tour. The earlier you go, the better for good bird watching. Another fun swimming hole is Jackson Blue Spring (part of Florida Caverns), far west of town, which has a tall playground slide in the water.

Try the Tallahassee Museum, also known as the Junior Museum. It includes animals native to Florida, an old farmhouse and farm animals. Sometimes they have animal encounters where you get to touch a snake or tortoise. There’s a huge playground, a snack bar, and picnic area.

Maclay Gardens is pretty for a stroll, but may be a bit too hot unless you go very early in the day. There is a lake for swimming nearby, so perhaps plan to take a stroll then hit the beach at Lake Hall.
Out west of Tallahassee, try Florida Caverns. Even on hot days, the caverns are quite cool! If you haven’t been there yet, check it out—we have caves in Florida!

Ask around for other ideas from long-time locals. The Tallahassee area is surrounded by parks, lakes, sinks, rivers and all kinds of things to explore.

• Leon Sinks Geological Area—on Crawfordville Highway, 5.5 miles south from Capital Circle SE; Fee: $3.00.
• The Nature Conservancy Garden of Eden Trail—Approximately one hour west of Tallahassee. Fee: none.
• Phipps–Overstreet Greenway Park–4000 N. Meridian Rd. Fee: none.
• Tom Brown Park–East of Capital Circle SE between Mahan Dr. and Apalachee Pkwy. Fee: none.
• Miccosukee Greenway—Parking at intersections of Edenfield and Miccosukee and Thornton and Miccosukee. Fee: none.
• Lake Jackson Mounds State Park—Located off US-27, two miles north of I-10 in Tallahassee. Take Crowder Rd. to Indian Mounds Rd. Fee: $2.00/car.
• Wakulla Springs State Park—550 Wakulla Park Drive. Fee: $4.00/car.
• Blue Spring— Part of Florida Caverns State Park (in Marianna).
• Tallahassee Museum—3945 Museum Drive. Fee: $9.00/adults, $6.00/children (4-15).
• Maclay Gardens State Park—3540 Thomasville Road. Fee: Park entry $4.00/car, Garden entry $4.00/adults, $2.00 children.
• Florida Caverns State Park—Located three miles north of Marianna at 3345 Caverns Rd. Fee: Park entry $4.00/car, Cave tours $8.00/adults, $5.00/children (3-12).