The Florida Madcaps

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss Chris and Chelsey's two day hike on the Pioneer Trail in Jennings State Forest.  The flagship trail in Florida State Forests and one of the best in the state.  Located in Northeast Florida not far from Jacksonville, it is a bucket list hike.   Info on the trail can be found here: https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Jen...

Send us Fan Mail While Chris and Chelsey are out and about in Florida, Danielle of the Florida Springs Passport joined the podcast.  This week we discussed the things to know when visiting the springs this summer and some of our favorite ones to enjoy. To learn more about the springs or to purchase a Florida Springs Passport go to:  https://floridaspringspassport.com/ Each purchase benefits a coup...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps share even more of their favorite Florida happy places in the environment.  Torreya State Park, Lime Sink Run, and more are discussed. 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 ca...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss the various state and national forests in Florida and some of the rules and policies that govern them.   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 theflo...

Send us Fan Mail This weekend (April 5th-6th) is the Florida State Park love fest occurring in multiple state parks around the state.  Activities include various activities from sign waving, hiking, potluck picnics, and more, depending on the event location.  To find out what is going on in a park near you, go to:   https://savefloridaparks.com/. Many remember the surprise attempts to develop our...

Send us Fan Mail After traveling hundreds of thousands of miles and visiting Florida's natural areas, the Madcaps discuss which parts of Florida bring them joy.  This episode covers: Topsail Hill Rock Springs Run Magniloa Lake The Everglades Emerald Coast Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a spri...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps Discuss their hiking adventures in St Johns Water Management District Properties and we mention those that we have yet to explore.  To see the full list check out this link: https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/list/ 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 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...