N E W T H I S M O N T H
BY NEVIN D. SITLER
pictures and forthcoming adventures of whitewater rafting Georgia's Ocoee River.
Afternoon on a Florida River - By Bill Dudley
Many thanks to Bill Dudley for sharing his tranquil water wanderings!
Want more? Visit Bill at www.BillDudley.com
build outdoor memories |
"Being an outdoor writer is great," says Paddle & Path contributor Johnny Molloy, "as long as you don't mind being lost, cold, wet, broke and dirty." That was the tongue-in-cheek answer the author of 32 camping, hiking and canoeing books, gave a questioning Boy Scout while speaking to an audience at the Warren County Public Library in Bowling Green, KY. Taking a break from a six-day, six-river canoe trip in his nearby home state of Tennessee, Molloy spoke in August to a group of about fifty, ranging in age from 10 year olds to 60s+ seniors. He pointed out that Kentucky—like most other states—has great outdoor attractions "right in your back yard" that are often overlooked simply because they’re close by. He said the concern over high gas prices was actually a great opportunity for folks to explore rivers, lakes and trails close to home. No matter where you go, Molloy’s message is a simple one, "get outside." It does the brain good, he explained. Nature comes at you slowly and doesn’t bombard you like television and computers do. And he said getting outdoors builds lasting memories. "You can spend an evening with your kid or a buddy watching TV and I guarantee you a couple of years from now you won’t say, ‘hey, remember that night we watched TV?’" "But go fishing or camping and you’ll remember those bear tracks or that small mouth bass you caught." Hiking and camping are also good for the body and Johnny is quick to note that with the development of easy-access campgrounds and established trails, "even your dear old Aunt Martha" can enjoy the sounds, sights and smells of the outdoors. "You don’t have to take her back packing up a mountain, huffing and puffing, to enjoy getting out into nature." Johnny admits to being compulsive about getting his factual information correct and meeting deadlines. "That’s what my publisher and readers expect," he said, as he described how he dictates into a digital recorder while on the trail. Then, while still outdoors, he downloads that information to a voice recognition program on his laptop. A far cry from his first book that was written in pencil on a yellow legal pad. In addition to a new guide on Tennessee canoeing sites, Johnny has several other book projects in the works, including a possible "How To" volume on tent camping. Plus, he generously promised another contribution to Paddle and Path, "as soon as I can work it in." |
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la-de-da and the unaware writer |
 The roller blader was blithely unaware of the diamondback rattlesnake in her path. One bladed foot pushed off, then the other, while the distance between human and serpent closed. I thought to shout a warning. "Look out! There’s a rattlesnake ahead!" But I did not. I was afraid I might startle her, she might panic and fall, perhaps right on top of the snake. Click Here for the Full Story. |
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anna maria historical park |
This easily overlooked spot features native plants with the usual educational |
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rubber ducks, a canadian canoe trip |
My future as a concert violinist, not to mention the use of my left hand, ended with my first childhood visit to Niagara Falls. It was on the water-soaked boardwalk leading to the Cave of The Winds near the base of the falls, where winds are frequently clocked at 60 miles-an-hour. They didn’t officially, or unofficially, record anxiety levels here, but they too were excessive. Nervous mothers exhibited Herculean strength as they clutched their children’s hands in a death grip. Since I was the youngest and smallest of three siblings, it was my now-atrophied left hand receiving that protective motherly attention. Click here for the full Out of Bounds story. |
kayak fishing in the everglades |
 It's not easy fishing and camping out of a kayak. When you have to paddle a heavy boat packed with enough food, water and gear to survive for several days on a barrier island, the last thing you want to do is head off down some side creek in search of snook. Fishing, or let's say "catching," usually takes a back seat to paddling. But there is an alternative. "You cheat," explained master kayak angler Todd Llewellyn. "On our last trip, we lived like kings. We even had ice." Click Here for the Full Story. |
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top 100 list for '08 |
 Three Florida State Parks and a KOA facility are among the Top 100 Family Campgrounds, announced in May by Reserve America (www.ReserveAmerica.com) The favored quartet includes Fort Clinch State Park, in Fernandina Beach; Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey, and St. George Island State Park, along with a Kampgrounds of America facility at St. Augustine Beach. According to Seth Rosenberg, President of Reserve America, the selections are based on testimonials and feedback provided by park rangers and campers. Click Here for More. |
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al lopez park |
 We have a young tulip poplar in our front yard called “Pops.” When my wife and I were tree hunting two years ago, we targeted the quick growing shade variety: sycamore, sweet gum, red maple and the poplar. We settled on the poplar, mainly for sentimental reasons: it thrives among other hardwoods in the creek bottoms and hills of Quincy, my hometown in the panhandle. But would the tree flourish in central Florida? So, curious about the progress of other poplars, Sam and I went to Al Lopez, a 130-plus acre anomaly within one of Tampa’s busiest quadrants: Dale Mabry Highway, Martin Luther King Boulevard, Himes and Hillsborough avenues. Click Here for the Full Story. |
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