Alex Outdoors

What would I do without the adventurous folks from Suncoast FTA? I’m pretty certain I would NOT leave the beaten path and go bushwhacking criss-cross through the burned forest in search of a geocache signaling the virtual center of Florida. Because that’s just what we did. We had quite a chilly start of the day; temperatures hovered barely above 45 degrees and yes, that’s COLD here so don’t laugh! But the sun warmed the air quickly and we soon stripped all our  warm layers and enjoyed the sun.  After approximately three miles we reached a trail junction where we stopped for a snack break. From here we left the "official" trail and followed our leader's compass. That’s definitely a skill I need to learn and master.  This is what the forest looks like two weeks after a prescribed burn. It pretty much turns the area into somewhat of a ghost forest:  Tip : When stepping over fallen logs, watch out for wildlife hiding underneath…....

Suncoast’s annual Stone Soup camp-out, cookout, and hike! I couldn’t spend the night but I wasn’t going to miss Saturday’s hike & the famous Stone Soup. In the most basic sense, Stone soup teaches that sharing benefits everyone who contributes. So we all dropped off our share of ingredients so that the voluntary cooks could prepare our meals, and hiked until it was time to eat. Despite the chilly temperatures it was the perfect day to be outside. Blue skies all around us. It appears that a hike in Florida isn’t complete until you’ve crossed a small pond, a.k.a, a wet trail…… But it’s all good when you can slurp homemade soup with a ton of different ingredients! Where did I head to next? Keep reading..........

Circle B Bar Reserve sits on the shore of Lake Hancock in Polk County. It’s actually a former cattle ranch which I found hard to believe when I saw all the water surrounding us. I can’t do this place any justice. Not with my pictures and definitely not with my words. It’s chock full of wildlife and a good set of binoculars would have served me well to get a better view of all those amazing creatures and I also should have taken the bigger lense for my Canon camera. You’re guaranteed to see a variety of birds, turtles, and gators…..lots and lots of gators. In fact, the preserve is home to the famous hump-back alligator. We think we saw him resting on an embankment, but who know how many big alligators call this place home. Check humb-back out in action  here! Enjoy the pictures but make a trip out to the reserve yourself. And don't forget your camera! Where did I head to next? Keep reading....

Green Swamp backpacking/camping, take three! I feel like I really know this place now; this was my third time backpacking and spending the night at the Concession Stand campsite and it’s easily a place I’d visit solo. All pieces fell into place – great company, beautiful trails & perfect weather. What more can you ask for?  Green Swamp offers FREE parking at the trail head and lots of it. Make sure you stay clear of the horse trail and check hunting dates before heading out to this area; most of the area is closed to backpacking during certain hunts. T hose live oaks…..aren’t they just amazing? These giants have been through all the crazy weather that Florida can dish out, but they remain beautiful and strong. My first tent from Eureka has really served me well but I have recently upgraded to a Zpacks Duplex with the optional flex poles. I’ve yet to take it out on the trail and I’m a bit nervous to switch to a completely new shelter, but there’s o...