Paynes Prairie in October

Do you want to see an alligator pit? My friend lured me to the edge of Paynes Prairie with these words last fall. My response was of course!

The Prairie is a 21,000-acre savanna in Micanopy. It is home to hundreds of species of birds, alligators, Spanish horses and bison. And depending on the water level, the prairie hosts a diversity of terraine.

A big part of the prairie was a shallow lake last fall when the sink hole didnt drain as well.

The park has 20 miles of trails for horseback riding and bicycling, an observation tower, fishing, kayaking and camping.

The park also has exhibits in its visitor center, highlighting the areas history . On Friday October 10th at 6 p.m. the visitor center will kick off Art on The Prairie. The event is the annual show and sale of Dominick Martino’s photography.

The visitor center will provide wine and cheese with candlelit trails. There is a five dollar admission fee for the art sale. RSVP is required and people who want to attend can send an email to info@prairiefriends.org.

The proceeds will support Friends of Paynes Prairie, a not-for-profit corporation. The corporation supports the prairie through fundrasing and volunteerism.

A map provided by Friends of Paynes Prairie

Moonlit Kayakin’ on the Santa Fe

With only the moon to guide you, it is easy to get lost in the sounds of the Santa Fe river. The stars, the water and the alligator’s eyes sparkle in the silvery light.

On Saturday, Oct. 11, kayak and canoe enthusiasts can take a moonlit paddle down the river. Moonlight tours are offered by Adventure Outpost, a kayak and canoe outfitter. The outpost is north on highway 441.

Once a month when the moon is full, the outfitter takes groups down river to listen to the sounds of the night and to look for the eerie reflection of gator eyes. The guides are accommodating and easy companions. Paddlers walk down a torch lit ramp to the waiting kayaks. After the caravan sets out, the trek lasts about two hours. When the paddlers get back, there is a fire pit and a grill waiting for them.

The kayaks are alone on the lazy river. Even though there are no other boats, flashlights and headlamps are still handy tools. They help you untangle yourself from branches and if you capsize.

Big and small groups can participate in a leisurely paddle down the Santa Fe. The Outpost can be reached at 386-454-0611. Reservations must be made ahead for guided tours like the moonlight paddle.

For those who are closer to south Florida, Atlantic Coast Kayak Co. will have a moon launch and wine toast on Oct. 15.

North Florida Music and Camping Festival

Magnolia Fest 2006 Photo By Hailey Petway

Magnolia Fest is a four day music festival. Music aficionados can spend the day or the weekend swimming, kayaking and swaying in hammocks.

Sing and dance from Oct. 23 to 26 at the Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla.  The park offers horseback riding, hiking trails, bicycles for rent, kayaking and canoeing on the Suwanee River. The river has beautiful but stinky sulfur springs and ruins from an old resort.

The festival offers free admission to volunteers. This is especially popular amoung students. Volunteers work four-hour shifts three times over the weekend. The jobs range from cooking for the musicians to banding the incoming patrons.

The second best thing is the atmosphere. Young and old relax together over the long weekend. The campsites are usually partitioned by the campers with tarps or blankets, giving the individual sites more privacy. The camping area forms a loop away from the music with the ends leading to the music stages.

The festival offers all kinds of local music like bluegrass, reggae, and rock and roll. Some of the most popular bands are Donna the Buffalo and The Duhks. The music plays day and night over the four days.

There are two main stages. The first stage is in a grove of trees and a forest of hammocks surround it. Individuals bring their own hammocks and set them up, allowing others to use them when the owners are elsewhere. 

Between the stages there is a market. Local craftsmen sell different types of art, organic goods, food, instruments, and of course hammocks.

Photo by Hailey Petway

Fall Kayak Challenges in North Florida

Have you ever wondered what it is like to spend a day in a kayak? Or how it would feel to paddle 52 miles?

If you answered yes to these questions, then check out the seventh annual Suwannee River Challenge & Marathon on Oct. 11th. The Challenge race spans 52-miles, a feat for any paddler.

An all day event, the race will start at dawn in Fargo, Ga and will end at sundown in White Springs, Fl at the 136 bridge. The participants are encouraged to bring support crews for the event. The half way point of the race is the SR-6 bridge where paddlers can meet their support crews to grab food or other supplies.

The Suwanee Marathon is a 26-mile race that begins at the SR -6 bridge and ends also in White Springs, Fl.

Both races go through Big Shoals, the only class III white water in Florida. This area will be clearly marked. 

Sunrise will be at approximately 7:35 am and Sunset will be at approximately 7:03 p.m. The entre fee is 35 dollars before Oct. 1st, and after then it is 45 dollars. Each Participant will be given a free t-shirt.

There are separate divisions:
Sea Kayak – Male/Female, Downriver Kayak – Male/Female, Unlimited Kayak (19+) – Male/Female, Tandem Kayak – Male/Female, Solo Canoe (C-1) – Male/Female, Tandem Canoe (C-2) – Male/Female, and Tandem Canoe (C-2) – Male/Female/Co-ed.

This video was made by a group who shoot the rapids through Big Shoals.

Welcome to the Sunshine

People brave the outdoors for various reasons; to impress a new boyfriend, some enjoy fresh air, others are running from law enforcement.

What ever brings you to Florida’s back yard, here you will find bits of advice, stories, and news regarding Florida and all the different ways you can find outdoor adventure.

Florida is known for its natural resources. Swimming, running, climbing and diving are possible all year. So if any if this is what you are looking for, please stay a while.

The summer heat isn’t over. The springs are still a popular way to cool off inland and north central Florida has a variety.

Ichetucknee Springs, in Fort White, allows diving, hiking, kayaking, tubing and swimming. You can not camp at the park, but the spring is one of the cleanest and most beautiful in the area. The park offers a shuttle to bring people back after the float, saving a 20 minute walk.

 
Photo by Ichetucknee Springs State Park

The state park has stringent regulations about food and beverages; they are not allowed on the water. This also means that drunken visitors are not a problem at the park.

The south entrance charges a fee of 5 dollars per car. Visitors can rent tubes at road-side stations for about 5 dollars. Canoes are available at the park for 5 dollars a person. If you plan to visit the springs more than once, you can purchase your own float at Walmart for between two and five dollars.