The Florida Madcaps

Send us Fan Mail In the 1950s the Florida Park Service opened a number of Florida State Parks that were segregated.  Some were turned over to other land managers to continue to be recreation areas, and others are still Florida State Parks today.  One segregated park faded into history as it was on borrowed land and was returned to its original land manager a military base called Camp Blanding.  Th...

Send us Fan Mail 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.yearlin...

Send us Fan Mail 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/pa...

Send us Fan Mail 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-par...

Send us Fan Mail 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.floridastatepar...

Send us Fan Mail 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/ Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Flori...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

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...