School has started. You know what that means. In the morning, after the macaroni munchkins are gone, you may even have a few minutes to yourself.
And the weather is trying to turn towards fall. Cooler days suggest that outdoor adventures are once again going to be fun.
Florida books – a great way to get inspired about the sunshine state
So make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, pick up a Florida travel book, sit on the porch and dream a little. Here are some of my favorite books on Florida destinations and adventures:
Florida books – 50 Great Walks in Florida
50 Great Walks in Florida, Lucy Beebe Tobias, University Press of Florida, 2008. No surprise here. This is a great resource. People always ask which one is my favorite walk. The truth is each one is different and I’d do them all again in a heartbeat. For fall my choices would include Chapter 14 “Stained Glass and Four Freedoms”, a walk in Madison and then, as a Bonus Point, be sure to visit O’Tooles Herb Farm outside Madison.
Take a bird walk at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park (Ch. 19). The next one is Oct. 24 from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Walk with Audubon at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples (Ch. 40). Cooler weather means less bugs. And sift through the sand at Blowing Rocks Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, Hobe Sound (Ch. 41). Walking on the beach in the cool of a fall morning is a delight.
Florida books – Paddlers Guide to the Sunshine State
Paddlers Guide to the Sunshine State by Sandy Huff. While some of us walk the walk, Sandy paddles the waterways. She took three years to paddle then compile 200 trips on 91 waterways. This is a tremendous resource. I love the first section where she gives tips on gear, clothing, cooking and camping. And her advice on wildlife is simple – Don’t feed them. Right on. Never encourage an alligator.
Florida books – Paynes Prairie
Payne’s Prairie: The Great Savanna: A History and Guide by Lars Andersen. Do you like good stories? Lars is one of the best storytellers I know. He presents Florida history almost as a love story and it is no secret that Lars loves Payne’s Prairie.
We went on a Payne’s Prairie canoe trip with him when the prairie was flooded. As we floated over boardwalks submerged underwater Lars told stories of Timucua, Creeks, Calusa and Seminole Indians who once lived here. We looked around expecting to see them at any moment. He makes the prairie come alive. I treasure this book.
Florida books – be sure to know where you can take your canine friends
Florida books – the Dog Lover’s Companion to Florida
The Dog Lover’s Companion to Florida: The Inside Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog by Sally Deneen and Robert McClure. My dogs love this book and it certainly opened my eyes on where I can go, and not go, with them. Maggie Dog took the authors with her all over Florida (after all, she didn’t drive). This book is updated regularly and perhaps even the fact it exists has made our canine companions more acceptable.
Road Biking in Florida by Rick Sapp. I’ll be the first to admit that road biking scares me. All that traffic. Alternatives like the Rails to Trails bike paths get my attention. And yet, the road is calling and there are some great rides out there plus cyclists who are working hard to find routes and make them safe.
Sapp divides routes into rambles, cruises, challenges and classics. Here in Marion County, where I live, a local bike shop takes a ramble through rolling horse country twice a week. One day I’ll be rambling with them and then looking for new challenges. This book is a good guide.
More to Explore
Four travel journalists find great food on the open road