The Florida Madcaps

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This week we discuss Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, her connection to her farm at Cross Creek, and how it can still be visited today.  Below are links to some of the things discussed during the episode.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Site
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/marjorie-kinnan-rawlings-historic-state-park

The Yearling Restaurant 
https://www.yearlingrestaurant.net/

The Friends of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park
https://marjoriekinnanrawlings.org/

The Front Porch Back Steppers (Social Media Site)

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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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This week we discuss Koreshan State Park in Estero Florida and touch on a few of the surrounding parks such as Lovers Key, Delnor Wiggins, and Mound Key State Parks. Below are some of the links to the parks discussed.  Please note that some of these parks may not be open or have limited access due to hurricane damage sustained in 2022.

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

Lovers Key
https://www.floridastateparks.org/Lovers-Key

Delnor Wiggins
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/delnor-wiggins-pass-state-park

Mound Key

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/mound-key-archaeological-state-park

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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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Here are some of the areas we discussed:

Tates Hell:

https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Tate-s-Hell-State-Forest

Prospect Bluff:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83634

Apalachicola National Forest

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/apalachicola

Ormon House

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/orman-house-historic-state-park

John Gorrie Museum

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/john-gorrie-museum-state-park

St. George Island State Park

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/dr-julian-g-bruce-st-george-island-state-park

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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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This week we discuss De Leon Springs, Blue Springs, and Hontoon Island State Parks.  All are relatively close to each other and offer a variety of adventures.  They are perfect to visit alone or bundle them together in a single-day trip.

Deleon Springs:

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/de-leon-springs-state-park

Blue Springs State Park

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

Hontoon Island

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

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 interview our very own Chris Stevens and discuss some of his endeavors as he works with various organizations to update hiking guides and apps on trails around the state of Florida.


Florida Hikes is our go-to hiking resource for hiking in Florida:

https://floridahikes.com/

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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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Palatka is a small town with much to experience that lies just beneath the surface.   Here are some of the places we discussed in this episode:

Ravine Gardens
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ravine-gardens-state-park

Rice Creek Conservation Area
https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/rice-creek/

Angel's Dining Car and the Bardin Booger do not have official websites, an internet search can bring up decent results.

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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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Cathy Salustri earned her master’s degree in Florida Studies from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, which, to those who know her, is no great surprise, given her intense passion for all things Florida. Her first book, Backroads of Paradise (UPF, 2016), chronicles Cathy’s more-than-5,000 mile-road trip along Florida’s backroads as she sought forgotten and under-appreciated Florida. Not content to see Florida from a car, she also boats, sails, kayaks, paddleboards, hikes, and bikes the Sunshine State. Cathy writes and speaks (she calls it Florida-splaining) about Florida for a living from her home in Gulfport, Florida, which she shares with her hound dogs, cats, her husband Barry, and more than a few brown anoles who valiantly protect her houseplants from danger. Cathy, Barry, and the dogs leave the cats and anoles to their own devices as they explore Florida in their travel trailer.

Contact her at [email protected] 
follow her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cathysalustri),
Threads (https://www.threads.net/cathysalustri), 
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathysalustri/), 
or X (https://www.threads.net/cathysalustri) as @cathysalustri;
or on Facebook (http://facebook.com/SalustriCathy)

as @salustricathy. You can read more of her travels and thoughts about why Florida’s better than any other state at

floridaspectacular.com (https://www.floridaspectacular.com./)and listen to her weekly podcast celebrating all things Florida, The Florida Spectacular

.

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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 The Tomoka Basin is between Ormond and Flagler Beach and the parks in that area are mostly coastal.  A lot of Florida History is in this area from the initial Spanish expeditions to the Seminole Wars.   Today we cover Tomoka State Park, Addison Blockhouse, Bulow State Park,  The Fairchild Oak, and Gamble Rodgers State Park.  Activities include exploring, camping, hiking, history,  swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

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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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This week the Madcaps discuss the coastal recreation spots from Fernandina to Mayport in the Northeast Florida area.  Fernandina Plaza, Fort Clinch, American Beach, Amelia Island, Big Talbot Island, Pumpkin Hill Preserve, Yellow Bluff, and Little Talbot Island are the state parks covered.  Activities discussed are: camping, hiking, birding, swimming, and history.

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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Chesley shares her experience on spending time in the Florida outdoors during her pregnancy.   Special thanks to Misti for suggesting the subject.  

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