Florida Sunsets - No Two Are Alike

Ft Myers Beach photo by Over Yonderlust

Pine Island

Key West Sunset Cruise

Cape Coral

Carrabelle - Panhandle

Welcome to Florida's Winter Wonderland

It's not news that people love to visit Florida. They come here for the warm weather, the beaches and the theme parks, but did you know that winter is the perfect time to visit Florida's natural areas? Besides getting a break form the heat, it's a reprieve from the bloodsuckers. No, not your boss, the IRS or your lender, although you may consider that to be true as well, I'm talking about mosquitos and no-see-ums. Every Floridian can relate to this metaphor, "If you don't think a small thing can make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." The good news is at 50 degrees, the tiny evil creatures shut down for the winter.

Fireside chats can go on to nearly dawn

Given the absence of the usual discomforts, suddenly hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing and camping are a lot more enticing. Gathering around a campfire and counting stars, once again, become romantic notions, rather than insane ones. It is absolutely the best time for visiting Florida's wonderful natural areas. Although, you will want to bring a long sleeve shirt and a hat, because the sun burns as bright as ever. Ask yourself, When was the last time you made S'mores, went hiking, sat around a bonfire, or gazed at a million stars in a clear night sky?
Here are some great places for getting back out. The Florida Everglades and the Florida Keys parks, such as, John Pennekamp State Park, are obvious choices, but there are plenty of wonderful, less than obvious places for your consideration. Here are a few of my recommendations. Cayo Costa State Park, just north of Sanibel and Captiva islands, is accessible by boat or small plane. It is a beautiful, serene island park with camping, cabins and plenty of water activities. Alafia River State Park, near Tampa, is known for mountain biking trails. Sebastian Inlet State Park, south of Melbourne, although a little chilly in winter, is popular for surfing, beach cast fishing and treasure hunting (a 1715 Spanish fleet wrecked just offshore). Myakka River State Park, near Sarasota has 12 miles of river flowing through it and 15 miles of horse trails. Dry Tortugas camping is a bit more challenging due to its location, but more than worth the trip. Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West, it is accessible via Key West Ferry or your own boat. A 10-site, primitive campground is located on Garden Key, the same island as Fort Jefferson, and is a short walk from the public dock. Nothing beats the view from here and you can explore the 19th Century Fort and snorkel crystal clear waters. An unforgettable experience. All of these parks have camping areas. My last recommendation is not a park but a journey; a Peace River canoe camping trip. It's an experience your family will always remember. There are exceptional guides and group outings available, so all you need worry about is having fun.

January - North Captiva Island / Cayo Costa State Park

Bigger Isn't Better

It's not only the grand or the grandiose that are worth the trip. The shy, subtle, even dwarf can be equally worthwhile. So here's a great piece of travel advice from this Floridian, Now is the perfect time of year to shed your snow shoes and put your mud flats on, to bend down not look up, to entertain your children with baby alligator noises made by your tongue in the roof of your mouth -  Its time to visit Florida's wilderness areas.

At the top, the Everglades, should be on everyone's "bucket list" simply because, there is no other earthly equivalent. Subtly beautiful, this extraordinary place is not best seen from a distance, its designed to be an up close encounter. Made up of rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, prairies and forests, it stretches from far west to the SE coast, encompassing 1.5 million acres. It is the largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the US. Everglades National Park was the first park "in American history to be permanently protected not for its scenic value, but for the benefit of the unique diversity of life it sustained." Bordered to the west by Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and Big Cypress National Preserve and to the south by the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary it is a vast miraculous ecosystem abundant with a fascinating assemblage of life.
This time of year is perfect for camping, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and canoeing, even horseback riding - you won't sweat to death and the bugs are sleeping. Shhh!
So come on - get down in it!
For Everglades exploration here are a few I found interesting: Everglades tours for a list of airboat tours, Backcountry Cowboy Outfitters, Dragonfly Expeditions, or Florida Backcountry Adventures Marco Island - for hiking, kayaking and canoeing guided tours and rentals, Chokoloskee Island Park and Marina rental efficiencies, marina and RV sites.


These are just a handful of Florida's amazing wilderness areas.
Go online to Florida Division of Recreation and Parks to discover more or Florida (U.S. National Park Service)