The Florida Madcaps

Send us Fan Mail 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-apprec...

Send us Fan Mail  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,...

Send us Fan Mail 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!...

Send us Fan Mail 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 ema...

Send us Fan Mail This week we discuss the plight of the manatees in Florida during the past, present, and future. Our guest Craig Pittman has written an eye-opening book called Manatee Insanity.  He also has the Welcome to Florida (WTF) podcast with Chadd Scott. Welcome to Florida Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1169570 A list of Craig's Books can be found at: https://craigpittman.com/ Ple...

Send us Fan Mail  This week the Madcaps discuss their adventure to Canaveral National Seashore where they enjoyed the beach, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, and a bioluminescence paddle all in one day.  Activities include swimming, wildlife viewing, and paddleboarding.  Canaveral National Seashore https://www.nps.gov/cana/index.htm Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FR...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss how to enjoy the springs this summer in a responsible manner so that every recreator can not only enjoy the springs but leave them better than they found 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/...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Florida Madcaps discuss their experiences visiting Florida Caverns State Park and taking the underground tour.  Not only is it a rare natural feature in Florida it is also a Civilian Conservation Corps-era state park.  Here Florida history, underground caves, and many other features are sure to impress. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get...

Send us Fan Mail The Madcaps discuss their favorite beach state parks along the Pandhandle/ Emerald Coast/ 30A region. Parks incluide:  Camp Helen, Topsail Hill, Grayton Beach, and Deer Lake State Park.  Activities include: snorkeling, swimming, camping, hiking, paddle boarding, and kayaking.   Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Sprin...

Send us Fan Mail The Madcaps discuss the state parks located in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area.  Some of the best beaches and recreation experiences are available at five gems along the coast. This week we cover: The Barnacle, Bill Baggs Cape Florida, Oleta River,  Hugh Taylor Birch, and  Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park.  Activities include hiking, history, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimm...

Send us Fan Mail The Florida Madcaps discuss recreation spots that are on current or previous military installations.  Armed Forces bases around the state are substantial conservation lands and make up a significant part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.  From hiking across airforce bases to exploring abandoned naval installations, this episode has it all. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are...

Send us Fan Mail The Florida Madcaps discuss all things Florida Keys with Elizabeth Harryman Lasley who hosts the Florida Keys Traveler podcast.  We cover a few out-of-the-way and lesser-known areas on the keys that focus on Nature, Preservation, Conservation, and History.   A little bit more about Elizabeth:  She and her late husband, Paul Lasley, hosted live talk-radio shows about travel on KABC...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss one of the most rewarding adventures we have embarked on:  Visiting state parks and getting passport book stamps.  The Florida State Parks have sold passport books that have a separate page for each of the 175 parks.  You can visit the different state parks and have the pages stamped with individual stamps for each park.  The availability of the passp...

Send us Fan Mail  This week the Madcaps discuss areas along the Historic Coast of Florida.  There are a number of historic and recreational areas around the St Augustine area.  Some have a disturbing history and beautiful outdoor areas.  Join us this week as we cover parks and beaches from Fort Mose to Washington Oaks. Activities in this area include hiking, swimming, exploring, paddleboarding, an...

Send us Fan Mail Summer is here and along with it are circumstances and challenges that can ruin a trip, cause injury, or worse.  The Madcaps discuss ways to prepare and avoid some of the more common issues that arise when recreating and hiking in Florida and how to avoid them. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and si...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss the little-known oldest area of Florida:  The Lake Wales Ridge.  Millions of years ago when most of what we now consider Florida was underwater the exposed part is now known as the Lake Wales Ridge and is located in Central Florida.  In this episode, we discuss the significance and some of the great recreating opportunities available on the Lake Wales...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss their favorite aspects of parks that are along the Santa Fe River in North Central Florida.  Oleno, Ichetucknee, Gilchrist, and more are discussed this week!  Activities include hiking, camping, spring hunting, paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and fishing. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticke...

Send us Fan Mail The Madcaps discuss the various aspects of one of the most exciting and diverse state forests in Florida.  The Withlacoochee has caves, lakes, ponds, rivers, trails, and much more!  Activities include hiking, camping, and exploring. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocat...

Send us Fan Mail The Madcaps discuss the Florida State Parks that are along the historic Suwannee River, from springs to history and everything in between.    The Florida Excursionist and The Sunshine State Seekers compare their experiences at each state park.  Parks discussed Big Shoals, Stephen Foster, Suwannee River, Fanning Springs, Manatee Springs.  Activities include;  Spring hunting, snorke...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss their experiences visiting the state parks in the Florida Keys.  This includes Key Largo Hammock, John Pennekamp, Windley Key, Lignumvitae Key, Indian Key, San Pedro, Long Key,  Curry Hammock, Bahia Honda, and Fort Zachary Taylor.  Activities include camping, hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, paddling, birdwatching. Please subscribe!  Shares and r...

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps discuss the Florida Trailwalker Program, with Brooks White of the Florida Forest Service.  By filling out comment cards and logging miles, the Florida Forest Service sends out freebies to hikers that hike different designated trails in Florida State Forests.  All three of the Madcaps are participants in the program.  For details and a listing of the trails go...

Send us Fan Mail This week we had the pleasure of learning about the Florida Native Plant Society with Valerie who is the Director of Communication and Programming with the FNPS.     Information about the FNPS and the annual conference is below: The Florida Native Plant Society's mission is to preserve, conserve, and restore the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. FNPS has...

Send us Fan Mail The Madcaps recorded this episode from Torreya State Park with two special guests.  Wisdom Dave, a seasoned hiker from the Great Out Dorks (IG @thegreatoutdorks), and Patrick Connolly also an outdoor enthusiast as well as a journalist with the Orlando Sentinel (IG @pconnpie).  After a hike that day, we reflect on the excitement and features of this unique park.   Please subscribe!...

Send us Fan Mail The Florida Madcaps cover their outdoor experiences in West Florida, particularly the area around Pensacola.  State and National Parks are discussed as well as Blackwater State Forest and the iconic beaches.  Activities include camping, swimming, hiking, bird watching, fishing, and Florida history. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker f...

Send us Fan Mail The Florida Madcaps talk about the Ocala National Forest and share their experiences with the springs, wildlife, trails, and history. Activities include hiking, swimming, spring hunting, camping and much 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.flo...