Nature   

Unlike other coastal regions, where civilization crowds shoulder-to-shoulder along the shore, like lemmings amassing for their mythical plunge into the sea, nature still rules in the Cedar Keys area of Florida's Big Bend. It's a low, wet country where the "shore line" defies definition, ever-changing, shrinking and expanding, with the ebb and flow of tides.

Difficulty: Open water is easy if calm weather. Moderate if it's breezy. We won't go if the forecast is too windy (or inclement in any way). Skill level: Good for beginners. Meeting time (at launch site): 10 AM

After registering for the class, all participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss equipment needs and confirm an email address for launch site directions. Lunch is not included in price.

On this easy, 2-2.5 hrs. tour we'll follow broad, winding channels through an array of broad marshes and shrubby islands, viewing the myriad plant and animal species those rich ecosystems support.  In addition to an interesting history, this tour is a birders wonderland.  Most years, in spring and early summer months, we pass a large rookery of assorted waders and water birds. 

After registering for the class, all participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss equipment needs and confirm an email address for launch site directions.

Note: Participants will meet at the launch site at 10 a.m. Kayakers will receive an email a day or two prior to the trip to discuss specific launch directions.

Come visit one of Florida's top voted Best Gardens. This trip includes a docent tour of the El Retiro and gardens, lunch, and the mansion.  Participants will have the chance to visit and experience the historical museum, Visitor Center, Cafe and Gift Shop, nature trails, daily concerts from the 205-foot Singing Tower carillon, and acres of landscaped gardens.

There is a 30-minute recorded carillon concert featuring world-class carillonneurs as they play the 60 bell Singing Tower carillon. Afterwards, it will be time to experience the one-of-a-kind 1930's Mediterranean-style home with docent tour of the El Retiro and the gardens. All Registered Participants will be contacted prior to the trip date to confirm lunch selection.

Price includes: Bok Tower admission, docent tours, lunch, bus transportation, and a bottle of water.

 

Lunch selections are:

A choice of a chicken blueberry salad, a turkey and smoked gouda sandwich, a chicken salad croissant sandwich, and a vegetarian wrap.  The Chicken Blueberry Salad is a scoop of homemade chicken salad on mixed greens, with fresh blueberries, feta cheese, candied pecans and strawberries and served with blueberry pomegranate dressing.  Selection includes fresh baked cookie, coffee, iced tea or a soft drink and free refills.  

The Turkey and Smoked Gouda sandwich is deli sliced turkey with smoked gouda cheese, sweet & tangy mayo, lettuce and tomato on multi-grain bread with a bag of chips.  The Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwich is a generous scoop of their own homemade chicken salad, lettuce, tomato served on a soft buttery croissant with a bag of chips.  The Vegetarian Wrap is provolone and cheddar cheese, sprouts, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, hummus, and green olives in a tomato-basil wrap serviced with chipotle ranch dressing and a bag of chips.  All selections include fresh baked cookie, coffee, iced tea, or soft drink and free refills.  

NOTE: This is a walking tour, please keep this in mind when booking. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Itinerary:
7:30am- Arrive at MTP
7:45am- Leave for Lake Wales
Between 8:45-9:15am- 10 minute Rest Stop
10:30am- Arrive at mansion
11am- Garden Tour
Noon- Lunch
1pm- Concert from the bells
1:30pm- Tour of Pinewood Estate
2:30pm- Free time
3:30pm- Leave for MTP
Between 4:30-5:30pm- 10-minute Rest Stop
6:15pm- Arrive at MTP (Approximately)

Experience areas of Sholom Park that were not covered at your first Walk and Talk. Explore the Enchanted Forest, Fragrance Trail, Food Forest, and a behind the scenes look at how the park is operated with Managing Director, Robert Colen and Park Manager, Brian DeVane in Part Two of Sholom Park's Walk and Talk. Registered students will meet at the pavilion near the restrooms.

A little flat, but the area around Ocala has many opportunities for hiking on forest trails. This class will explore several within one hour of Ocala of varying lengths, as well as organizations and apps that offer trips and maps. For those liking heights, we will then explore some of the opportunities both in North American and Europe for multi-day hiking trips using outfitters.

 

Experience areas of Sholom Park that were not covered at your first Walk and Talk. Explore the Enchanted Forest, Fragrance Trail, Food Forest, and a behind the scenes look at how the park is operated with Managing Director, Robert Colen and Park Manager, Brian DeVane in Part Two of Sholom Park's Walk and Talk. Registered students will meet at the pavilion near the restrooms.

William Bartram called it the Great Alachua Savanna. We know it as Paynes Prairie. On this chapter of our "Bartram's Florida" series, we'll take a 3 mile stroll onto the wetland savanna made famous by the young explorer in 1774. The talk will include a brief overview of the prairie's rich history from Lars Andersen, author of "Paynes Prairie: A History and Guide."

Note: Meeting time at park is 9 AM; There is a $5 Park Fee payable at the entrance day of trip. The trip duration is 1.5 - 2 hours long. Difficulty: Easy, two mile stroll on easy (mostly flat) terrain. Since this is an out-and-back hike, participants who can't do the entire hike are welcome to turn back at any time.
Skill level: Good for beginners.

The Withlacoochee and lower Rainbow Rivers near Dunellen offer a different look at "old Florida" as well as the more "modern" appearance. This course features a three-hour boat ride with an experienced river boat Captain. Great opportunity to learn about all the wading/water birds you are likely to encounter in Florida. Lots of songbirds too!
The first class will be in the classroom with discussion and video presentation on any of the birds we are likely to see. You should be able to identify most of them accurately by the end of this first class.The second class will be a boat ride and will begin with about one mile of the Rainbow River and as much of the Withlacoochee as we can cover in the allotted time. Enjoy up close and personal views of magnificent birds with great photo opportunities. An optional luncheon will follow at a nearby riverside cafe where we will make up a list of all the birds we have seen and/or heard on the boat-ride. Second class date field trip directions: Rt. 484 to Dunnellon. Turn left at the first traffic light - Rt.41. Park in Municipal lot in front of City Hall. Boat sails from Public Boat Ramp.

This will be a slow-poking exploration, geared toward inquisitive paddlers who are more interested in learning wild lore than covering distance. Unlike our other paddle tour/classes, this one will only cover a couple of miles in total, allowing time to drift, observe and learn about the river's plants, animals, archaeology, history and other wild lore.

If you want to see more of the river and learn a bit less of its wild lore, I recommend one of the other great courses offered in this catalog. Difficulty: Easy paddle, going downstream and then returning against a light current. Skill level: Good for beginners.

There is a $6 Park Fee the day of class. The trip lasts approx. 2.5 hours.

Meeting time (at launch site): 9 a.m. Kayaks are provided. After registering for the class, participants should call (386) 497-4214 during the week prior to the trip to discuss any special needs or requests and confirm an email address for launch site directions. Lunch not included in price.

Experience areas of Sholom Park that were not covered at your first Walk and Talk. Explore the Enchanted Forest, Fragrance Trail, Food Forest, and a behind the scenes look at how the park is operated with Managing Director, Robert Colen and Park Manager, Brian DeVane in Part Two of Sholom Park's Walk and Talk. Registered students will meet at the pavilion near the restrooms.