Outdoors With Kirk

I hiked the Dr Ruth Santos Mountain Bike Blue (Moderate difficulty) Trail to give you a close look. To even a 60 year old broken neck crippled old man like me there were only certain sections that I would have had to push my bike. This would be a fun it not brief ride for any experienced mountain bike rider.

Indian Lake State Forest is approximately 4,568 acres of gently rolling sandhills and pastures just north of historic Silver Springs in Marion County. The forest is named after Indian Lake, a deep sinkhole lake that drains into the aquifer. There are multiple hikes you can do. The first one I did meandered around a wide trail through some beautiful forest that passes a old confederate cemetery. I took a wrong turn there after reading the history sign. There are other signs that describe the long history of this land which the ancient Indians occupied using the lake for bathing, fishing and recreation. Truly a beautiful place and life for them. The second hike in my video winds around the lake, back into the forest and finally back to the parking area. If you want to learn more about this area of Central Florida visit the links below. https://floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com/camping/indian-lake-state-forest-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=FLFS&parkId=1121200 https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Indian-Lake-State-Forest https://floridahikes.com/indian-lake-state-forest

Just 1.7 miles from the Santos trailhead in Ocala Florida is the Vortex. This is a mountain biking playground that attracts people from all over the world. What is restively unknown is the Florida Trail cuts right through this complex. This a a beautiful and easy hike through OLD Pine and GIANT oak trees. The hike can be cut up into 3 to 6 mile hikes (and beyond) when combined (or not) with the paved Santos bike path.

46-mile trail traverses rivers and forests, small town charm and railroad history. From the Villages you travel down CR 484, across CR 200, through Dunnellon Florida. Talk a left on CR 41 and go about 5 to 10 miles looking for a sign saying Withlacoochee State Trail to the right. It is a nice trail to bike in great shape. Kind of a forest like feeling but crossed a lot of roads. Enjoyed the easy ride very much. https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/withlacoochee-state-trail https://www.bikeflorida.org/florida-bike-trail/withlacoochee-state-trail

Let us go in search of a crossroad from the North parking area to get over to the Ocklawaha river. https://floridahikes.com/sunnyhill https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/sunnyhill/ https://floridahikes.com/sunnyhilllevee

This was my first day at Carney Island Park. There is a $7 fee to enter the park so even though it is near my house why go when there is so much FREE hiking in Central Florida! I look at the $7 fee for boaters who have to pay for the amazing boat access, playgound and bathroom facilities to Weir lake. Many people just drive in who don't have boats but do so at your own risk. The park has wonderful beaches and swimming areas and is fun for the whole family anytime or year. Taken from Florida Hikes website: Location: Ocklawaha Length: 4 mile network of trails Trailhead: 29.014936, -81.964311 Address: 13275 SE 115th Ave, Ocklawaha Restroom: Yes, at trailhead Land manager: Marion County Phone: 352-671-8560 https://floridahikes.com/carney-island-park https://www.ocalamarion.com/directory/carney-island-recreation-conservation-area https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/florida/carney-island-recreation-conservation-area

Location: Citrus Springs Length: 1.2 miles Lat-Long: 29.005735, -82.387856 Type: stacked loops Fees / Permits: none Difficulty: easy to moderate Bug factor:moderate to extreme Restroom: none This is a short 1.2 mile hike that takes you from CR 39 to the Withlacoochee River. There are primative camping sites along the way that make or may not be occupied. A beautiful hike that in the summer is buggy and swampy. https://floridahikes.com/oxbow https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/us/florida/ox-bow-loop?u=m

Johnson Pond Trail provides a walk through sandhills and oak scrub, touching on prairies along its 2.7-mile loop. I like it because I have never gotten a tick, it is fairly bug free, well maintained, easy hike, any time of year. Location: Citrus Springs Length: 2.7 mile loop Trailhead: 29.005133, -82.384067 Fees: Free Restroom: No https://floridahikes.com/johnsonpond https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/johnson-pond-trail

P.E.A.R. Park - Wildlife Conservation Area located at 4800 University Blvd., Leesburg, Florida - Gateway 26701 US Highway 27 is and amazing place to visit. I is part of the Palatlakaha Environmental and Agricultural Reserve hence (P.E.A.R). From their WELCOME brochure: The P.E.A.R. Park is located along the Palatlakaha River and encompasses 318 acres. The park is divided into two distinct sections consisting of Passive Recreation Wildlife Conservation Area (WCA) and the 'Gateway', which is a combination of Active Recreation and natural areas. This video shows you the 6 miles of hiking trails which wind through the mixed landscape of recreation and restoration areas. This is PART 2. Be sure to watch PART 1 to see what a visit to this park might encompass for you, family and others. You can also check out my videos on YouTube and ThatCyberSecurityGuy.

P.E.A.R. Park - Wildlife Conservation Area located at 4800 University Blvd., Leesburg, Florida - Gateway 26701 US Highway 27 is and amazing place to visit. I is part of the Palatlakaha Environmental & Agricultural Reserve hence (P.E.A.R). From their WELCOME brochure: The P.E.A.R. Park is located along the Palatlakaha River and encompasses 318 acres. The park is divided into two distinct sections consisting of Passive Recreation Wildlife Conservation Area (WCA) and the 'Gateway', which is a combination of Active Recreation and natural areas. This video shows you the 6 miles of hiking trails which wind through the mixed landscape of recreation and restoration areas. This is PART 1. Be sure to watch PART 2 to see what a visit to this park might encompass for you, family, and others.

This is a short bike/hike at the Santos Bike and Hiking trail head in Ocala Florida. A very popular place for mountain biking with also a 15.5-mile point-to-point paved trail near Belleview, Florida. This short mountain biking loop is often overlooked but great for an easy ride with the kids. This is a nice warm up for a full day of mountain biking! There are over 80 miles of mountain bike trails and a recently added 16 miles of paved trail for road bikers to enjoy. https://floridahikes.com/santos-trails https://bianchicycleman.com/trail-report-santos-paved-trail/ https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/cross-florida-greenway-trail-santos-to-cr-200

The Island is generally flat so the hike is easy. As you travel subtle differences in soil type and in water tables result in distinct biological zones that a visible to the careful observer. The entire length of the trail is heavily forested wetlands dominated by cypress, oak and palm trees. About .7 miles into the hike there is a 440-foot long boardwalk to a wide creek. Length: 4 mile Daubenmire Trail consists of a access trail, three mile loop, two cross trails. Add on the Corley Island Trail which is a 1.19 mile linear hike if you want. Facilities: Bathrooms and picnic area at trailhead parking lot. There is limited parking at trailhead. Directions: From Hwy 27 past 44 south of Leesburg, take C.R. 25A to Owens Road. Take dirt road to parking area.

Use This Cucumber Trellis for a HUGE Harvest! One I will be building soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1SNamaNThg Tomato Trellis 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxrAz8bWMXM Tomato Trellis 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBDqskBk3lQ Tomato Trellis 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDRzQCPWb4k This is the tomato cage I want someday! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMqBjEc38K0 Tomato Cage, too expensive for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SbObR9AVdM&t=532s

Keep your vegetable garden out of sight and in the back of your house. Don't try to ask your HOA for permission as you won't get it. Old people hate for you to grow your own food.

Address: SE Hwy 314, Silver Springs, FL Fees: Free Restrooms: No, Available and Marshall Swamp Trailhead parking area about 1 mile away Land manager: US Forest Service Phone: 352-625-2520 – Lake George Ranger District Leashed dogs welcome by may be eaten. Bicycles impossible. This section of the Florida Trail is only hikable during the dry season in Central Florida. Even then, sometimes trail crews can't or don't cut it in until later in the dry season than most other sections of the Florida trail. This is a very dense section of the trail and bear spray is recommended. NOTE: The Marshall Swamp SE Hwy 314 parking lot is about 1 mile from the trailhead. What is the phone number for Greenway & Trails Office? The phone number for Greenway & Trails Office is (352) 236-7143. Where is Greenway & Trails Office located? Greenway & Trails Office is located at 8282 SE Hwy 314, Ocala, FL 34470 To see hiking on the Florida trail after hiking this section heading north of SR 40 see the link below. https://floridahikes.com/florida-trail-eaton-creek-south

Trailhead: 29.244700, -81.648283 Length: Outer loop of 5.5 miles, Inner loop about 4 miles. Operational Hours: Dawn to dusk Fees/Permits: Free Difficulty: Easy to Medium Restroom: Several miles south at the Juniper Run take-out on SR 19 Closest Towns: Salt Springs, Astor Directions: From the South many take SR 40 to SR 19 and head North past the Juniper Run river take out. For very detailed descriptions of the trail click on the links below. This trail has many transitions and is hikable year round. It dries out fairly quickly so unlike many trails can be traversed in the Florida rainy season. Bugs are very thin in the Winter, endurable in the Spring and Fall. Even in the summer on a breezy day, it can be done without bug netting (netting in a backpack just in case recommended). Across from The Yearling Trail trailhead, explore Silver Glen Springs. Silver Glen Springs is a first-magnitude spring with a strong aquamarine hue accented by refracted rainbows. Fees for usage apply. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recreation/recarea/?recid=83709&actid=50 https://floridahikes.com/yearling-trail

After hiking the Florida Trail from Baseline Park to the Santos Trailhead I decided to hike the somewhat recently cut in mountain bike trail back. This video shows how this trail has developed into and amazing mountain bike ride here in Central Florida.

This amazing piece of the Florida Trail remains relatively unknown. Years ago it was not well maintained and there was no Mountain Bike trail paralleling the hiking trail. That has all changed. You may still hike this portion of the Florida Trail seeing few people or bikes but Central Florida is booming.

From their brochure, This 90-acre site was acquired in 1996 to protect a sinkhole lake at the center of the Preserve named Lake Alfred, which drains slowly into the aquifer. A ravine carries water from the eastern side of the Preserve to the lake, creating a unique ecosystem. The outer edges of the Preserve are Sandhill restoration areas. Long-leaf pines have been planted, and the gopher tortoises are abundant among the rolling, yellow sandhills. The Preserve was formerly known as the Eichelberger Sink. 110 feet of elevation change between the bottom of the sink and the edges of the Preserve, offer hikers a rare opportunity to experience some hills in the state of Florida. Location: Southeast of Eustis, south of CR 44, between Abrams Road and Country Club Road. From me: Not my greatest hike in the world and nothing I would go out of my way for again. However, if you are in the area and must see.

One of the most beautiful hikes I have done in Central Florida.This trail has everything, swamps, pines, oaks, river, etc. You can also bring you bike and ride the paved Withlacoochee Bike Trail. When done with the hike rather than get back on 50 go right and have a nice cruise through the country over to 41. https://floridahikes.com/croom-river-trail-loop

If you are looking for a easy mountain bike ride to get back in shape this the the place for you. It is a beautiful bike ride just down CR 42 within 30 minutes from The Villages Florida. It is a grass trail that parallels the Ocklawaha river. My big surprise was finding a shelter with a new picnic bench about 1 hour into the ride which would is an awesome place to hole up and watch the birds. To find the entrance to the trail in Central Florida take 42 West across the Ocklawaha River and the North entrance to the the river trail is on the left.

Finally got back to the Halpata Tastanaki Nature Preserve in Central Florida. In a previous video we hiked the Nature Preserve from the CR 200 entrance near Ross Prairie. It was a hot sandy hike. In this video we attacked the trails from CR 484 which was a much better hike an highly recommended.

This is not a recommended hike unless you are looking for a sandy deep sand workout. The sand was brutal in many places making hiking difficult. The roads/trails are wide with no shade. You would not want this hike on a hot or totally sunny day as we experience in Central Florida often. If you hike long enough you do get back into the forest and away from everything in shade which is good and hiking became easier. I saw a lot of deer and birds but that was not until 1 1/2 hours into the hike. I am old and this was a brutal but beautiful hike that I will return to someday. It was a 5 hour hike that my old body paid for. I imagine I will sleep for two days to recover.

Talk about a great place to visit! This is my latest hiking video after breaking my neck. I will be back to this wonderful place. Witness the River and Tram Ridge Loop trails in their glory. This was an old logging road through a seepage swamp and over a low bluff. It ends in an old logging platform from their own brochure. Enjoy the boardwalk over a swamp dominated by cypress trees and various species of hardwood. Also hike out over a boardwalk to a look on the river trail to see the Suwannee River from a raised platform. It is an amazing experience you must try to get to if visiting or living in Florida.