The Florida Madcaps

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This past weekend, the Madcaps went to South Florida.  Ryan visited the Florida Keys and Everglades.  Chris and Chelsey visited Southwest Florida.  They share their experiences and recommendations in this episode. 

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Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps

Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected]

Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

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Our guest this episode is Tim Gilmore and we discuss his book “The Wilderness and Willie Browne”

Tim Gilmore writes about the haunted South and the spirit of place. He’s the author of 27 books and four stage works produced at Florida State College at Jacksonville, where he teaches writing. His newest book, Memphis Wood and the Sanctified Fecund, will launch on October 15, 2026 at the Mandarin Museum in Jacksonville. Gilmore is the creator of jaxpsychogeo.com, a 14 year (thus far) project that explores Jacksonville, Florida in more than 850 nonfiction place-portraits. He has won teaching and community service awards and the Jacksonville Cultural Council’s Literary Artist of the Year award. He co-chaired Jacksonville’s Civil Rights History Timeline Committee. He has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Florida.

For information about Tim’s next book launch:

https://www.mandarinmuseum.org/events/lecture-series

Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!

Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps

Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected]

Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

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While folks flock to the beaches, springs, and lakes, many trails in the summer are neglected and offer some great exploring and wildlife viewing opportunities.  However, heat illness is a serious risk as well.  This week the Madcaps discuss their favorite hiking areas, strategies, and tips for hiking in the Florida summer.

Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!

Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps

Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected]

Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

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This week, the Madcaps discuss threats and calls to action regarding sea turtles in Florida.  We are joined by Dr Katherine Sayler, the Southeastern Representative of Defenders of Wildlife!  Katherine explains the challenges that sea turtles face while nesting in Florida's beaches as well as some things that we can all do to help!

Check out Defenders of Wildlife here:  https://defenders.org/

Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!

Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps

Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected]

Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail

This week is a colorful journey where the Sunshine State Seekers and the Florida Excursionist discussed how they got started in their natural Florida passion projects.

Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!

Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps

Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected]

Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail

Recently, there have been three instances of gator bites around waterways here in Florida.  Unfortunately, one of them was fatal.  Today, we have gator expert Chris Gillette on to discuss gator safety and mannerisms.  

Info on Chris's wildlife sanctuary, Bellowing Acres, can be found at: https://bellowingacres.org/

Social media and online store can be found at:

https://www.instagram.com/gatorchris

https://bellowing-acres.myspreadshop.com/bellowing+acres+jurassicpark?idea=672e2142e1948830e297ab53&page=2&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleASzQcVwZG9mAmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp3WzUHHhz5PNm4cNBWG2XOtVoxNY51KT7pnSvYYHTfZQIVwIRidag5anVtce_aem_ZR0EzOPQgV036Y6Lds6n4A

Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!

Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps

Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected]

Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

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This week we have two special guests and discuss the facets gatekeeping on social media here in Florida.  Gatekeeping is often posting images or video of an area without disclosing the location. Our guests are:

Tessa Skiles, who is a conservationist, underwater photographer/cinematographer, and impact producer known for her evocative, immersive storytelling that reveals the beauty and vulnerability of one of our planet’s most elusive and misunderstood natural resources: groundwater.

Josh, aka FloridaGuideJosh, is a wildlife photographer and content creator sharing authentic stories from the natural world. While Florida’s springs and waterways are home base, the work extends wherever wild places and meaningful stories exist.

Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!

Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps

Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected]

Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail

This week, we interview our very own Chris Stevens new book that we authored with Sandra Friend.  An atlas a nd breakdown of over 1000 trails in Florida.  We talk with Chris about the book, the process, and some of the features that make it great!

To get the book, go to:

https://floridapress.org/9780813081588/hikers-guide-to-the-sunshine-state-second-edition/

Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!

Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps

Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected]

Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail

This week the Madcaps share some of their preferred alternatives to traveling the interstates around Florida.  Backroads often can take a path through Old Florida and some interesting roadside attractions.

Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!

Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps

Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected]

Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail

Parks discussed during this video:

Shoal River Headwaters State Park

https://www.floridastateparks.org/shoalriverheadwaters

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fred-gannon-rocky-bayou-state-park

Torrey State Park

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/torreya-state-park

Defuniak Springs

https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/blog/defuniak-springs-guide-for-first-timers/

Wilderness Landing Park

https://www.myokaloosa.com/parks/wilderness-landing

Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated!

Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps

Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected]

Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en