The Florida Madcaps

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss paddling on the Rainbow River and Ichetuknee River!  Both offer some great views of clear spring runs.  Unfortunately, there is a bill that is going through the legislature that is going to remove rules that prohibit single-use plastics and containers on these rivers.  Follow the Florida Excursionist and The Florida Springs Council on social media to...

Send us Fan Mail This week Ryan, Jessica (IG walkandpaddle), and TJ a manatee biologist from the Save the Manatee Club discuss responsible behaviors when encountering manatees in the various waterways of Florida. As the Manatee Biologist for Save the Manatee Club, Tiare 'TJ' Fridrich works to protect manatees and their aquatic habitats by collaborating with stakeholders statewide, advoca...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss some of their paddling adventures on Florida waterways.  There are some recommended and not-so-recommended paddle spots between us. 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 commen...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss the trails within some of the properties of the St Johns Water Management District.  These are rarely used by comparison to some of the major trails in Florida and offer glimpses into lesser known natural areas. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a spring...

Send us Fan Mail This week Ryan and Cathy of the Florida Spectacular Podcast (check them out!) interview Federico Acevedo and Max Chesnes both who played a role of providing information to the public during the Florida State Park Development fiasco and discuss the events during this podcast. Some info about our guests: Federico Acevedo is a passionate wildlife photographer and birder, using the po...

Send us Fan Mail This week is the first half of the live recording of a collaboration podcast between Ryan of The Florida Madcaps and Cathy Salustri of The Florida Spectacular Podcast.  Recorded in front of an audience.  TJ of the Save The Manatee Club discussed all things manatees.   Some info our our guest TJ: As the Manatee Biologist for Save the Manatee Club, Tiare 'TJ' Fridrich work...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps take turns discussing their favorite paddle destinations in Florida.  There are too many for this episode so expect more! 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...

Send us Fan Mail This week Bree from @hiberniahistory (filling in for the ever adventuring Sunshine State Seekers) and Ryan discuss their favorite destinations along Florida's First Coast from the little-known area of Hibernia to the plantation ruins around Ormond Beach. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss micro hiking.  Which is often what naturalists do by paying attention to the details to the wildlife, vegetation, tracks, and signs of wildlife on the trail.  It can take a short hike and turn it into an adventure.  There are  various apps and resources to help! https://www.inaturalist.org/ (plant and animal identification app/website) https://merlin....

Send us Fan Mail Our guest this week can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/hiberniahistory/ The Nike Missle Site Festival details can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/nike-site-festival.htm This week the Madcaps discuss the rest of their Everglades experiences such as hiking the pine rocklands, the Nike Missle Site, and Shark Valley. Please subscribe!  Shares...

Send us Fan Mail On this week's episode the Madcaps camp at Everglades National Park and discuss their experiences hiking and enjoying the fascinating Everglades Ecosystem.   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 comme...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps continue the discussion of their encounters with wildlife while enjoying the outdoors in Florida. 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 thefloridamadcaps@gma...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss the wildlife encounters that they have had while exploring Florida from freeloading raccoons to swinging monkeys. 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...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the Madcaps joined by Ryan Smart, a Florida politics insider discuss the upcoming strategy to inform and organize environmental advocates for the upcoming 2025 legislative session and to oppose further attempts to develop our conservation lands.   This means along side the usual Madcaps episodes we will be rolling out weekly legislative-focused episodes as well.  ...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps are joined by Florida Trail Association (FTA) Advancement Committee Chair Tiffany Bright to discuss the upcoming FTA Brews for Views event where anyone can support the Florida Trail Association by grabbing a beer and scanning the barcode on a provided cocktail napkin at the following locations: Nov. 16 – Deviant Wolfe, Sanford (Central Florida Chapter) https:...

Send us Fan Mail Our fellow (and humble) Madcap Chris Stevens talks about his latest book he co-authored with Sandra Friend, the 5th edition Florida Trail Guide. 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...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps Reflect on the trails that we have individually or collectively found challenging either due to weather, location, or trail conditions.  Tune in to hear some great hiking stories and spots! 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.flor...

Send us Fan Mail In a continuation of a previous episode that we did, the Florida Madcaps and guest Imani discuss the interesting things they have seen along the roadside during our combined hundreds of thousands of miles of road-tripping throughout Florida. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a spring...

Send us Fan Mail While Florida may not be known for the leaves of its forests changing color in the fall, what can widely be seen is the amazing fall wildflowers in Florida.  This week the Madcaps with guest Bree @ hiberniahistory  on Instagram discuss the various wildflowers and where they can be seen in Florida! Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker fr...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps interview Captain Karl R. Deigert who is spearheading the grassroots initiative to get a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot that will give legal standing to protect waterways from pollution or over pumping. Karl stated during the podcast that volunteers are needed.  If you would like to sign a petition or get involved go to: https://www.floridarighttoclea...

Send us Fan Mail This week's guests are the folks at Picnic and Paddle who organize clean-up efforts around Florida's waterways.  Yet the clean-up is only part of the experience, it is also about experiencing Florida's natural wonders as refreshments and a recreational aspect is a part of the event.   Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, the Madcaps discuss some of the different myths, tales, and beliefs that we have encountered and question them.  From zig-zagging to save yourself from charging gators to why everything around St Augustine is named Matanzas we delve into what is abnormal about the normal.   Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE stick...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Florida Madcaps discuss parks in the southwest corner of Florida focusing on Fakahatchee Strand State Park and Collier-Seminole State Park.  There are some unique hiking experiences as well as opportunities to enjoy some iconic Florida flora and fauna to enjoy in this area from Ghost Orchids to the Florida Panther. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appre...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss various aspects of recreating in Florida and encounters with venomous snakes.  Our special guest, Bree, shares important information about our valuable snake population.  Bree can be found at @hiberniahistory and @using.my.outside.voice on Instagram. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Spr...

Send us Fan Mail With the withdrawal of the development plans for the nine state parks in the very recent rearview, the Madcaps discuss the parks that were threatened around 30A, mainly Topsail Hill and Grayton Beach and what makes them special.  Our guest this week is Celest Cobena with Beach to Bay Inc., who talks about the history and natural majesty of the parks! Please subscribe!  Shares and...