reptiletiptip

The Atlantic Coast Line built the railroad through Trenton in 1906 and went on across the Suwannee River to Cross City, Perry, and Tallahassee. Once the railroad was completed through Trenton, it began bringing in the mail. Before then, the mail came twice a week from Gainesville as part of a Star Rural Route. Eventually, trucks carrying the mail would replace the train and bring in mail everyday except for Sundays and holidays. http://visitgilchristcounty.com/histo...

There is an abandoned bridge that spans the Suwannee River by Suwannee Springs. I followed this historic road from the bridge to where it ends. There was another bridge here at one time that connected to the other side over the creek. This is a neat area to explore by the Suwannee River. View my hike here to get an idea of this area - http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.p...

In this part of the Green Swamp I found this memorial or dedication to Kerry Patrick Tully. He was a forester and land manager for Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Part of the Florida Trail goes through this area at Kitching Creek in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. It is a very scenic area and park to explore. There is a nice footbridge over the creek here where you can usually see wildlife. See more at - http://www.floridastateparks.org/jona...

On this adventure I set out to find an old turpentine camp in Ocala National Forest. I eventually came upon what I think is part of the site. I really enjoyed the search for this and it has lead me to learn a lot about the history in this area. I left everything as I saw as there is very little left here from what I could see from the operations. http://www.fs.usda.gov/ocala

This is a very scenic area to explore in Withlacoochee State Forest. It's an abandoned strip mine now reclaimed by nature. You can find areas like this by exploring the Citrus Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest.

This is a small wooded cemetery near the Withlacoochee State Trail in Citrus County.

On the other side of Suwannee Springs across the river part of the Florida Trail can be hiked there. You get great views of the river and hike through a scenic wilderness. In this area as you approach the abandoned bridge the trail leads right up to the old road further down from it. Once up on this road you can hike to the end of it where a beautiful creek is or the other way will lead you across the bridge. Have a look at my hike/route here to get an idea of the location - http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.p...

This is a very large sinkhole I found while exploring the trails at Leon Sinks Geological Area called "Big Dismal". (Right off US 319 south of Tallahassee, the Leon Sinks Geological Area contains 5 miles of trails that lead to a series of sinkholes big and small. The land in this area is underlain by a layer of limestone, eroded and dissolved by rainwater and groundwater to form caverns, holes, and tunnels in the limestone. This type of terrain is called "karst" and results in many geological features such as wet sinkholes, depressions, natural bridges, and a disappearing stream.)

Hiking part of the Appalachian Trail in this park I found a locked door on the side of the mountain.

I hiked this area along the Suwannee River where The Florida Trail is. This is sort of by Suwannee Springs and not far from the abandoned bridge. Here is a link to my hike to get an idea of the location - http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.p...

In Citrus County by the Withlacoochee State Trail in the woods is this small cemetery.

This is a brief video of me driving on this old highway from 1917. It connected Deland to Daytona and was the main highway until 1947 when US 92 opened. Parts of this abandoned road can be seen in Tiger Bay State Forest. http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divis...

This is a nice area to enjoy the sunset and take in the beautiful nature out here. I found the area by driving to the end of Route 40 past Yankeetown in Levy County. It dead ends at the park at the Withlacoochee River and Gulf of Mexico. Map - http://purewaterwilderness.com/map.ph... http://www.levycounty.org/cd_parks.aspx (Look for Bird Creek Park on this link)

More than eight centuries ago, Native Americans inhabited the area around Lake Jackson, just north of Tallahassee. The park site was part of what is now known as the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex. Today the park encompasses four earthen temple mounds, with two available for viewing by the public. The largest mound is 278 feet by 312 feet at the base and approximately 36 feet in height. The village at the base of these mounds was a cultural, religious and population center in 1100-1200 AD.
http://floridastateparks.org/lakejack...

I found this wooded cemetery that is overgrown while hiking some trails in The Cross Florida Greenway. I believe this is called Fisher Cemetery and I haven't been able to find any history on it yet. I could see two tombstones. The larger one the name and dates have eroded off and the smaller infant one just has initials on it.

I hiked through part of this old mine here in The Citrus Tract in Withlacoochee State Forest. Very nice place to roam around at!

While hiking The Florida Trail by Lake Eaton in Ocala National Forest I saw these bear tracks. Bears seem to be active in this area further down the trail I think I heard one in the brush. You can find this area by the Lake Eaton Trails you will see the orange florida trail marker cross over the dirt road to Lake Eaton.

In the Watermelon Pond Tract at Goethe State Forest I explored around this mine. I found this old barrel and it could be associated with the mines but not sure. A long time ago they mined phosphate out here.