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How to Get Lost in Nature, Have Fun, and Still Find Your Way Home
People always ask me if I ever get lost whenever I venture out into the great outdoors. My honest answer is always, “Yep.” Then again, I get lost at the mall.
The great thing about exploring the wild side of Florida is that you never have to go very far from civilization. You can wander aimlessly and discover the great unknown, or you can follow someone who knows what the heck they’re doing.
Whether it’s hiking, biking, or paddling around, here are a couple of places that can help you satisfy your wanderlust while knowing where you parked your car.
Adventures in Florida
These guys can set you up with guided kayak and canoe tours of the beautiful Winter Park Chain of Lakes, or if you’re feeling really adventurous, the Blackwater Creek, which flows through cypress swamps and the Wekiva River near Apopka, Florida. This is a great way to check out alligators, black bears, and other Florida wildlife. They also offer Full Moon Kayak tours and overnight camping tours.
www.adventuresinflorida.com
Visit Seminole
If you want to be your own tour guide, but prefer at least a general direction on where to go, Seminole County has what you need with over 60 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Pick up part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, which runs from the panhandle to the Everglades and cuts through Lake Mary.
visitseminole.com/things-to-do/hiking-biking-trails/florida-national-scenic-trail
Central Florida Airboat Tours
If you’ve never been on an airboat ride, you gotta add it to your bucket list. Airboats are awesome because they can float across the shallowest of waters, giving riders a unique view of all kinds of Florida wildlife. Plus, they are fast! These guys are located halfway between Daytona Beach and Orlando. They go through Lake Harney and Lake Jesup — home to more alligators than just about anywhere else in North America — so you KNOW you’re gonna see some gators.
www.centralfloridaairboattours.com
So, if you’re wanting to take a walk on the wild side, but don’t want to venture too far into unchartered territory, it never hurts to follow the beaten path — and ask for directions. Even when you’re at the mall.
Do Florida,
Chad
The great thing about exploring the wild side of Florida is that you never have to go very far from civilization. You can wander aimlessly and discover the great unknown, or you can follow someone who knows what the heck they’re doing.
Whether it’s hiking, biking, or paddling around, here are a couple of places that can help you satisfy your wanderlust while knowing where you parked your car.
Adventures in Florida
These guys can set you up with guided kayak and canoe tours of the beautiful Winter Park Chain of Lakes, or if you’re feeling really adventurous, the Blackwater Creek, which flows through cypress swamps and the Wekiva River near Apopka, Florida. This is a great way to check out alligators, black bears, and other Florida wildlife. They also offer Full Moon Kayak tours and overnight camping tours.
www.adventuresinflorida.com
Visit Seminole
If you want to be your own tour guide, but prefer at least a general direction on where to go, Seminole County has what you need with over 60 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Pick up part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, which runs from the panhandle to the Everglades and cuts through Lake Mary.
visitseminole.com/things-to-do/hiking-biking-trails/florida-national-scenic-trail
Central Florida Airboat Tours
If you’ve never been on an airboat ride, you gotta add it to your bucket list. Airboats are awesome because they can float across the shallowest of waters, giving riders a unique view of all kinds of Florida wildlife. Plus, they are fast! These guys are located halfway between Daytona Beach and Orlando. They go through Lake Harney and Lake Jesup — home to more alligators than just about anywhere else in North America — so you KNOW you’re gonna see some gators.
www.centralfloridaairboattours.com
So, if you’re wanting to take a walk on the wild side, but don’t want to venture too far into unchartered territory, it never hurts to follow the beaten path — and ask for directions. Even when you’re at the mall.
Do Florida,
Chad
About the Host/Creator
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As a native Floridian, Chad Crawford has always loved his home state, and he’s made it his mission to share it with the world. He’s often called Florida’s Ambassador for this very reason. Emmy award-winning how to Do florida with Chad Crawford began as a way to combine Chad’s passions – filmmaking, Florida, and literally anything outdoors – but has evolved into a passion project. The more he travels the state, meeting people whose livelihood is the land (and water), the more aware he has become of the issues facing Florida – namely the water crisis. He has worked alongside Florida Fish and Wildlife, Coastal Conservation Association, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Agriculture, Everglades Foundation, Captains for Clean Water, and author Richard Louv in directed efforts to help preserve Florida’s natural resources, and to communicate how we can all be part of solving the environmental problems the state is facing today.
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Recognizing that the next generation needs be part of this conversation, he created an Emmy award-winning kids’ show, The Outsiders Club. The series is geared toward kids and young families, takes place outdoors, and educates viewers in a fun and meaningful way about how they can care for Florida’s environment. Chad uses his platforms to create fans of Florida, but more importantly, he’s interested in creating advocates for Florida. He often says, “When people experience the real Florida they are more likely to take interest in the issues that affect it.” His famous sign-off “Get out and Do Florida” has incited a movement of people, stoking renewed interest in our state’s environmental issues. He encourages his fans to both enjoy Florida and be part of preserving its resources, saying, “If we all do just a little, well, that’s a lot.” Chad and his wife live in Central Florida with their four children.
Want Chad to speak at your event?
Check out Chad’s blog
Want Chad to speak at your event?
Check out Chad’s blog