We recently planned a day trip to the Florida Caverns. This is a perfect getaway for the day or for overnight camping. If you are looking for a day trip from Pensacola, it’s just two hours away. We decided to pack a lunch and head to the caverns for a picnic before the tour.

Florida Caverns is one of the few state parks with cave tours that are open to the public. On the tour you will see beautiful limestone formations of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies and learn how they are formed.

Hiking/Geocaching – Bluff Trail is approximately a thirty minute walk where you can see some of the other caverns and find geocaches along the way.

Swimming -  During the spring and summer seasons, there is a nice designated area with a deck for swimming. It’s surrounded by a grassy lawn for sunbathing or picnicking.

Camping – It looks like anything from a tent to an RV can camp here. Reservations can be on ReserveAmerica.com or by calling ReserveAmerica at (800) 326-3521, TDD (888) 433-0287.

Boating – The Chipola River and a freshwater spring in the park are nice areas for fishing, canoeing and even boating.

Biking – There are miles of hilly roads through the state park for a great ride while visiting.

Golfing – The park features a nine-hole, New Deal-era golf course set on rolling terrain. Golf course: (850) 482-4257

Horseback Riding – There are no horses to rent, however,  they have stables available if you bring your own horses while camping.

Location of Florida Caverns

View Larger Map

Located three miles north of Marianna on State Road 166.

There are no cave tours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week. However, canoe rentals are available at the Ranger Station on days the cave tours are closed.
For more info call:  (850)482-1228.

Photos of the Florida Caverns

The public will have the opportunity to provide input on three new artificial reef site applications in Escambia County’s inshore waters. Once finalized, the reef applications are submitted to the state and federal permitting agencies.

For more information, please contact Robert Turpin with Marine Resources at 850-595-3474.

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This news release is also posted at www.myescambia.com under the “news” heading.

 Photo by lsgcp

Take a tandem jump over the drop zone or over the beautiful beach. Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s a sandy landing!

If you decide to continue your training, they will help you all the way to earn your expert license.

They even have camera flyers. So, you get your picture taken on the way down.

Check out these fun photos by first time skydivers!

Reserve your spot now.

Emerald Coast Skydiving Center
website: emeraldskydive.com
16646 County Road 95
Elberta, AL 36530-3112
(251) 986-5618
Open Wed-Fri 9am-5pm; Weekends 9am-6pm

Head on over to Hillcrest Farm, grab a pail and start filling it with plump, organic blueberries. You might want to go for two buckets, so you have one left after the one you eat on the ride home.

We recently loaded up the car and headed to Hillcrest Farm to meet some friends and pick blueberries. We even discovered that they have a geocache.

When we arrived, we were given a friendly greeting by the Hixson’s, long-time owners of Hillcrest Farm. The Hixson’s have been supplying Florida and Alabama with berries, jams, garden vegetables and ice cream for over twenty years. We were given instructions on where to pick and given buckets with plastic bag liners for carrying our ripe, picked blueberries. After berry picking, the kids enjoyed eating Ms. Hixson’s homemade ice cream while we all enjoyed the shade- although there was a nice breeze and it wasn’t too hot. We like to go early in the season for that reason and for easier picking when the blueberry bushes are still loaded with berries.

Hillcrest Farm is a family-owned farm located in Elberta, Alabama and just 30 minutes from Pensacola.

Location

30497 Hixson Road
Elberta, AL 36530
Phone: 251-962-2500.
East of Foley and Elberta on US98 to mile marker 76. Turn north on Hillcrest  Dr. Open: June – Sept, Daily, 6 am till dark.

St. Andrews State Park in Panama City is a great place to explore for the outdoor enthusiast or beach lover. The state park is located on the east side of Panama City. It has water on three sides, a coastal lake, and swamp areas.

We’d been looking forward to the opportunity to explore this park. This past spring we got the opportunity to do just that. We set up camp and had so much fun exploring this beautiful park. During our stay we saw nesting Egrets, deer, dolphins, snakes, and even an alligator. Yes, you’ve got to watch your step on the trail by Gator Lake. You never know what you may come across.

The park has many hiking trails, a spot to snorkel, kayaking areas, boat rentals, and even a boat launch. for your own boat. You may bring your own boat when you camp or rent a pontoon boat for exploring Shell Island.

St. Andrews Park at one time was a military reservation. Visitors can enjoy miles of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon.

View St. Andrews State Park in a larger map

Camping Information

Camping April 2011

The campground at St. Andrews park is located on Grand Lagoon. The park has some really nice waterfront camp spots. The campground includes two loops with 176 camp sites. The sites range from tent to RVs up to 40 feet. The grounds include nice bath and  laundry facilities. Within a short distance of the camp sites are hiking trails, beaches, boat launch, and a camp store.

Hiking Information

Choose from two hiking trails at St. Andrews State Park. The trails are Heron Pond and Gator Lake Trails. Gator Lake gives you great views of the lake which, yes, does include alligators. The Heron Pond trail takes you on a science hike through the Flatwood pine forest and past a historic turpentine still.

We hiked a portion of Gator Lake and enjoyed many surprises along the way such as snakes and even an alligator. These are great trails for view the beauty and wildlife these parks have to offer.

Boating Information

Pontoon boat we rented

The park includes a public boat ramp and a loading and unloading area. The ramp is located on Grand Lagoon. In addition, a local vendor is available to rent pontoon boats, kayaks, and jet skis.

From this location we launched our stand-up paddleboards. We had a wonderful experience paddling Grand Lagoon. While paddling at sunrise we had the welcome company of playing/feeding dolphins.

During our stay, we also had a great experience renting a pontoon boat. The staff were helpful and showed us the popular spots to go which included a wonderful place to stop and snorkel where you could see live sand dollars, sea urchins, and other sea life. After snorkeling, we anchored at Shell Island, which is an undeveloped island between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay.

Snorkel and Dive

The jetties located in the park are an excellent place for beginner divers and snorkelers. The area inside the jetties is called the kiddy pool. The protected and shallow water creates a safe place to explore the sea life in St. Andrews Park.

Didn’t bring your own equipment? You may rent equipment at any of the concession stores in the state park.

Beach Access & Day Use

Plunge into the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico at the public beach area. The park has over one and a half miles of sugar white sandy beaches and emerald waters. The public beach area gives you access to the open waters of the Gulf or a protected shallow water area in the inlet.

In addition, the state park offers shuttle boat tours over to Shell Island where you can enjoy both bay and gulf swimming.

Photo of St. Andrews State Park

Snorkeling Area

St. Andrews State Park Beach Area

Deer

Nesting Egrets

Nesting Egrets Viewing Area

American Alligator in Gator lake

Gator Lake Hiking Trail

Come on out this Saturday, May 14th from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It’s being held at the Oyster Bar and Marina in Perdido Key off River Road. Admission is FREE and it’s going to be a great time.

There will be a variety of hands-on activities including:

• Paddleboarding demos
• Scuba and snorkeling demos
• Cast net and fishing demos
• Reptile show
• Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo- World’s First Environmentally Sustainable Zoo opening in 2K12
• Kid’s Zone

The Rotary Club raffle will include free parasailing  adventure for six, $150 gift card to Academy Sports and lots more. . .

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information: Earth Day Pensacola

Supporting Florida’s Gulf Coast!

Come have a great time with the family!

Saturday, May 14, 10:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Henderson Beach State Park, Destin

Events will include performances by local artists and family fun activities. A silent auction and booths with fine arts, crafts and food will also be set up throughout the day.

The Festival and Park are free and open to the public all day, with parking available in the Park.

Enjoy a beautiful day among the longleaf pine trees and pitcher plants to celebrate the launch of Remote Footprints! The Kickoff will take place at Coastal Plains Institute’s Rowlett’s Creek Preserve, Sumatra, FL.

We will provide lunch as well as lots of unique entertainment:

Pitcher plant bog tour and species identification
Property tour – discover the longleaf pine ecosystem and learn about forest restoration while walking this unique property
Camping equipment demonstration

April 16 9 a.m.- ?

http://remotefootprints.org/go-remote/kickoff-celebration