Bonnie Gross | | Florida Rambler

Author: Bonnie Gross

Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest offers easy scenic paddling with lots of wildlife.

Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest: Easy scenic paddling; lots of wildlife

The clear waters flowing out of Alexander Springs are the start of a great paddling trail inside Ocala National Forest. It’s an easy stream to paddle with lots of wildlife, especially birds and fish.

It’s chilly: Time to see manatees in Florida waters. Here’s where to go

by Bonnie Gross

If you’re lucky, you can see manatees in lots of waterways around Florida, but here are a few locations where, in winter, you can reliably admire these charming creatures — and even kayak with them.

Festivals

Where to celebrate the holidays in Old Florida: Best holiday light displays

by Bonnie Gross

Every community has decorations for the winter holidays, but these three Florida destinations stand out. Their Old Florida settings complements their over-the-top holiday decorations. Each has millions of lights plus lots of special events.

Florida Keys, Historic

Key West Home Tours: A glimpse into island lives

by Bonnie Gross

For 59 years, a non-profit devoted to historic preservation has convinced the owners of some of the most interesting homes in Key West to open them to visitors for a good cause. The Key West Home Tours let you peek into the homes and lifestyles of the quirky island.

Bubblebutt, first and longest permanent resident of the Turtle Hospital

Florida Keys

Sea Turtle Hospital: Up close with an endangered species

by Bonnie Gross

The sea turtle, one of the rarer residents of the Florida Keys, isn’t easy to see in the wild. But you can get within arm’s reach of several varieties that frequent the Florida Keys and even toss them some food at the non-profit Turtle Hospital in Marathon.

The view along Everglades National Park Nine Mile Pond canoe trail

Everglades, Kayak & Canoe

Kayak trails in Everglades National Park: The best way to experience it

by Bonnie Gross

Kayaks and canoes are one of the best ways to surround yourself in the Everglades. Here’s a guide to the trails in the national park.

Everglades, Historic, Southeast Florida

Tours open for season of historic Nike missile base in Everglades National Park

by Bonnie Gross

In the middle of Everglades National Park is the best preserved Nike missile base in South Florida, a relic of the Cold War and the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Today it reminds us of those days of John F. Kennedy, fallout shelters and Bob Dylan protest songs.