New Topsail Hill Preserve State Park cabin. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Stay at a Topsail Hill State Preserve cabin or bungalow and get into Camp Helen and Eden Gardens State Parks free

TALLAHASSEE –The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida State Parks began a new promotion Mar. 2 to encourage weekday camping. The Two for Tuesday promotions allow visitors to purchase discounted camping packages at three state parks for Tuesday and Wednesday night stays that include admission to select nearby state parks. Packages range from $40 to $270, with savings of $30 to $36 off the value of the full package. Reservations may be made for stays from March 2 through May 26, 2010.

“Two for Tuesday is a great way to promote camping and encourage visitors to check out neighboring parks,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “By offering ready-made packages, visitors can take the guess work out of planning their trip, all for a discounted price.”

Locations of the Two for Tuesday parks range from springs near Central Florida to beaches in the Panhandle and museums in southwest Florida. Campers can bring a tent, camper or RV, or choose to stay in a cabin or bungalow. All overnight accommodations are subject to availability.
Read More…

Posted under Parks

Sand dunes along the outfall on Camp Creek Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Recreational activities abound on these rare coastal dune lakes

Walton County Florida is well known for its beautiful beaches and great fishing. Less known to those that have never visited the area, are the unique and scenic coastal dune lakes that dot the coastline along the area’s beach dune systems.

Nestled along Scenic Highway 30A, Walton county’s coastal dune lakes are rare geological features that only occur in the Florida Panhandle, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and the northern Pacific coast of the United States.

Streams, groundwater seepage and rain are the sources that feed the coastal dune lakes. Storm surge creates intermittent connections to the Gulf of Mexico, called outfalls. This periodic connection empties lake water into the Gulf, and, depending on tides and weather, salt water and organisms from the Gulf flow back into the lakes. Read More…

Posted under Fishing, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks, paddle/surf/boat

Photo courtesy West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club.

The West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club offers a variety of paddles in the Northwest Florida Panhandle. If you are interesting in becoming a member, you can go to their website at www.clubkayak.com/wfckc or contact Wes Mosteller at wesjane@earthlink.net

Guests are welcome on trips as long as they have the skills to safely navigate the waters being paddled.  Guests must sign a waiver form and have an Eglin Recreational Pass if the trip is on the Base.  Paddlers must supply their own boat.

Friday, March 5:  Econfina Creek from Walsingham Bridge down to SR 20

We will meet at the parking area on the NE corner of Econfina Creek, drive on dirt roads to Walsingham Bridge, unload, and take vehicles back down to the parking area at SR 20.  This area of the creek is very beautiful, but because it isn’t paddled as much, expect pull-overs (how many depends on water levels).
We will see springs along the creek and paddle up a spring run to Washington Blue Springs and a camping area. Bring a lunch, appropriate clothing for the weather, a change of clothing in a dry sack, water, PFD, and anything else you need for your comfort. The distance of the paddle is about 7.5 miles and it is rated medium in difficulty due to the pull-overs and need to maneuver one’s boat on a small, twisty stream with underwater and overhanging obstructions in a moving current. Contact trip leader Frances Stone at 850-480-4480 or ffstone@hotmail.com to sign up, for directions, or answers to questions.

Saturday, March 6 Lower Chipola from SR 20 to Scotts Ferry

This is a beautiful stretch of the Chipola River with 7 miles of wide, open water, and 7 miles of interesting paddling when the Chipola splits into several different branches, and eventually one is paddling down what appears to be a small creek.  Expect to see remains of the historical steamboat dock, and a logging railroad. It is an easy paddle for people capable of paddling 14 miles. May be pullovers.  Bring water, PDF, wear clothing appropriate for the weather, bring a change of clothes and anything else needed for a good paddle.  Shuttle will leave Marianna at 8:00 a.m.from McDonalds on SR 71 south of I-10.  Other people who wish to go directly to the put-in can meet at the Chipola River Boat Ramp on SR 20 at 9:00 a.m. Contact trip leader Chris Matthews, a very experienced Marianna paddler, trip leader, and all around nice guy, (who has recently joined the WFCKC) at 850-209-8166 for more information.

Sunday, March 7 Holmes Creek

Meet at the Vernon Boat Ramp and Wayside park at 9:00 a.m.  We will put in at Culpepper Landing, paddle upstream to Cypress Springs, then back down to the Vernon Boat Ramp for lunch using the picnic pavilions.  After lunch we will continue downstream to Hightower Springs Landing.  Very little build-up along this creek.  It is about an 8-mile paddle with the upstream part being approximately a half-mile.  Holmes Creek is a slow moving stream with the current usually about a mile an hour. Bring PFD, water, lunch, appropriate clothing for the weather, a change of clothes in a dry sack.  Contact trip leader Frances Stone at 850-482-4480 or ffstone@hotmail.com to sign up, for directions, or more information about this paddle.

Wet and Wild Festival, May 1, 2010

Kelley Thompson, Coordinator for the West and Wild Festival at Big Lagoon State Park has announced that this year the Festival will be held on May 1. She has inquired if the club would participate again this year, and I have already sent her an affirmative answer. Our event was very popular last year, and we had lots of fun.  Mark your calendars and bring your boats, paddles, PFDs especially children’s sizes, and help the club offer paddling exploration to the participants in the Wet and Wild Festival.
Frances Stone

Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous 2010, October 22-24

Mark your Calendars now — 
for the 2010 Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous, October 21-24.

FL Sport Paddling Club (FSPC) proudly continues the Rendezvous tradition of bringing together Florida paddling clubs and paddling enthusiasts for a weekend of fun, friends and paddles.
This year’s base camp will be the Silver River State Park campground from which we will launch four days of trips that canoeists and kayakers of all skill levels will enjoy. Also join the potluck supper, program, nightly campfires, paddlers’ swap meet, and the wonderful exchange of friendship and paddling skills that evolves when so many with like interests come together.

The main event will take place Friday-Sunday, October 22-24, 2010. Make your reservations at Silver River SP now!! Pre-Rendezvous paddles will be held Thursday, October 21, for those who can come early. Trip details and a list of additional accommodations will follow when we have a website set up.
Please help us reach all who may be interested.   Send us any additional contacts you may have.  Please email Kathy, publicity chair, at KathrynVaughn@ATT.net with your questions, suggestions or information

Posted under Kayak/Canoe, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks, paddle/surf/boat

Several Panhandle area park fees reduced to 75 cents Mon. – Thurs. Jan. 18 – Feb. 25

TALLAHASSEE— The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service will begin a new promotion, Go Play Weekday, starting Monday, January 18, 2010 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Throughout the year, Go Play Weekday specials will highlight parks in each region of the state. During the promotional months, visitors pay 75¢ admission Monday through Thursday at featured state parks.

The first of several promotions planned in celebration of Florida State Parks’ 75th Anniversary, Go Play Weekday allows residents and visitors to explore featured parks for a ‘trial size’ price. The price is right for budget watchers, home schoolers and anyone ready for some outdoor recreation.

The Panhandle is the first area to be highlighted in the Go Play Weekday promotion. The six featured state parks offer bluffs, beaches, trails, rivers and lakes that provide ideal locations to hike, camp, fish, ride bicycles and enjoy the cool weather.
Parks offering entrance for 75 cents beginning Monday, January 18, 2010 through February 25, 2010, include:
• Blackwater River State Park, Holt Click here for park information
• Camp Helen State Park, Panama City Beach Click here for related story
• Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach Click here for related story
• Falling Waters State Park, Chipley Click here for related story
• Three Rivers State Park, Sneads Click here for park information
• Torreya State Park, Bristol Click here for park information Click here for related story

How it works: Mention ‘Go Play Weekday’ at the ranger station to get the special price. If the park has an honor box, just write ‘Go Play Weekday’ on the envelope and put in 75¢ instead of the full fee.
Promotions will change throughout the year, so check for updates on the Florida State Parks Web site at www.FloridaStateParks.org

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks, Trails/Hiking

Dunes at Topsail Hill State Preserve. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Learn about park wildlife at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A

Saturday, Feb. 6 – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Come and join the Rangers of Topsail Hill and ask them all the questions you can think of about park wildlife.  To cover the cost of food please bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park or bring your own breakfast. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.
Contact: (850) 267-0299. Topsail Hill State Preserve is located at the western end of Scenic 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. ::MAP::

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

Photo courtesy Eden Gardens State Park.

Annual School of the Soldier with Civil War Skirmishes at Eden Gardens State Park

Sat., Jan. 23rd from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 24th from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Eden Gardens State Park will host the 17th Annual School of the Soldier event led by 7th Vermont Company D (Walton Guard). This will be the 146th anniversary of the actual event that took place in the Point Washington area during the Civil War in 1864 between the 7th Vermont Volunteers and a Confederate unit. Visitors can expect to observe rifle and light infantry tactics as well as artillery demonstrations, drills and skirmishes. There will also be medical demonstrations, a ladies tea and examples of period camp life as well as a period cook tent and a blacksmith.

During the Civil War a company of Seventh Vermont was sent to Washington Point (Eden) to recruit the loyalists in the area. They recruited two regiments of US Color Troops and First Fla. Cavalry USA. Some of them went up the river to take a small Confederate camp, which they did without incident. However, on the way back, they themselves were captured by Confederate Cavalry.

Event is free with admission to the Park ($4.00/Car or $2.00/ Bike or Pedestrian). Eden Gardens is located in Point Washington North of Hwy 98 via Hwy 395. Events are scheduled from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, January 23rd, and 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Sunday, January 24th. For further information contact Elizabeth Eich at (850) 267-8322 or visit www.waltonguards.org.

Schedule of activities:
Saturday
0900 Camp Open to Visitors
0900 Officer’s Call
1000 Drill +
1330 Dance Workshop
1400 Drill +
1500 Skirmish ++
1530 Medical Demonstration
1700 Camp Closed to Visitors

Sunday
0900 Camp Open to Visitors
0900 Colors & Officer’s Call
1000 Drill +
1330 Skirmish ++
1400 Camp Closed to Visitors
1400 Break Camp
+ denotes Musket Firing
+ + denotes Artillery Firing

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

Learn all about the endangered mouse at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Thursday, Jan. 21 — 2 p.m.
Join the park folks for this beach mouse interpretive program and learn about their habitat and behavior. Park at the Day-Use area off of Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. A $3.00 park entrance fee is required.
Call (850) 267-8330 for more details. Located in Santa Rosa Beach, the park is located 1/4 mi. south of U.S. Hwy 98 on western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A.  ::MAP::
Click here to learn more about Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse
Click here for park website

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

Come here the wildlife talk about life in the park.

Come join the wild critters as they talk about life in the park

Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A
Saturday, Jan. 16 – 1 p.m.
Come and join Duke the Deer, Brisben the Bobcat and several other Topsail wildlife stars as they go tell their stories of living in a State Park. Learn about what they eat, where they live and how they interact with other animals. This is a fun for all ages interpretive program. Park at the Day-Use area off of Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. A $3.00 entry to the park is required.
Contact: (850) 267-0299. Topsail Hill State Preserve is located at the western end of Scenic 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. ::MAP::

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

Dunes at Topsail Hill State Preserve.

Have breakfast with a Park Ranger at Topsail

Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A

Saturday, Jan. 9 – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Come and join the Rangers of Topsail Hill and ask them all the questions you can think of about park wildlife.  To cover the cost of food please bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park or bring your own breakfast. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.
Contact: (850) 267-0299. Topsail Hill State Preserve is located at the western end of Scenic 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. ::MAP::

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

Historic Wesley house decorated through the holidays

Hours of Operation
The park is open 7 days a week. Guided tours of the Wesley house are available hourly Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (including holidays)

Directions
Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395.
For more information, call (850) 267-8320.
181 Eden Garden Road, Point Washington, Fl. 32459

The park’s website is http://www.floridastateparks.org/edengardens

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, Parks