I know I’m not alone when I say that spending time in nature makes me so happy. I always feel so at peace when I watch nature. Growing up I was never inside. I’d leave in the morning after breakfast and come home at night when it got dark. Most of the time I’d missed lunch and would get into trouble for coming home so late or for not checking in with my mom during the day. I had a good explanation for all of it: I was living life by exploring a nearby creek barefoot. I had such a carefree childhood. I feel so sad for this generation. A generation that spends so much time indoors. Can you believe that there are people who track how much time their children spend outside? I can’t ever imagine my mom tracking it. Gosh she would love for me to actually stay inside because then she would know where I was. Things have changed so much. My husband and I feel we have to show our children how wonderful nature is so that they will want it more than electronics or material things. Nowadays we actually have to set time out of our lives to make sure that our kids play outdoors. Most of us don’t feel safe letting them roam freely like our parents did when we were growing up so we join them. I applaud those who make it a priority for their children to spend time each day outside. We all should make it our priority because it is proven that we feel better when we are in nature.
I loved being in Florida’s nature.
TreeUmph! Adventure Course
We really did not know what we were getting into when we signed up for a tree adventure course. I mean how hard can it be climbing on trees and walking on ropes? Well at least that is what I envisioned it would look like but it was more than I bargained for. The first thing we learned is that we had to do this entire course on our own. We had to lock in the cable cords and do the ziplining by ourselves. Sure we had a practice course where a guide taught us what to do and how everything attached to us worked and that did put many of us at ease and after the practice run we thought how hard can it really be?
Personally the first and second course were a breeze, well at least for me it was. We saw some call out “guide” right from the start so that a guide could come and rescue them because they didn’t feel comfortable on the course anymore. The ugly truth is that it is easy to judge and consider yourself braver than those who had quit when they had just started but until you actually try something new yourself you don’t really know how you’ll feel about it. I quickly learned that bravery is the ability to try something completely foreign to you and it is okay to stop or call quits when you no longer feel safe or comfortable. While on the second course, I started feeling unstoppable. I told my husband and son that I would complete all five of the courses. I was sure that I would be one of the few who completes all five of the course. Boy was I wrong. You know that verse “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall?”(Proverbs 16:19) Well, by the end of my tree adventure experience I was able to understand it better.
Once I got to the third course there was two ways of getting to the top of the course. The first way was the way I was used to and one I was very comfortable with, climbing the ladder. The second way was rock climb on a tall wooden poll. I chose the first option but as soon as I put one foot on the ladder a sweet lady who probably wished me well told me that I should try the second options and that if she could do it than I could do it. So I decided to listen to the advice of this seemingly sweet woman. Oh, how I wish I hadn’t listened to her! I was half way on the wooden poll and then I started to panic. There were less artificial rock boulders and the spaces between them were greater. I wrapped my hands as much as I could around the poll. I was holding onto dear life. I finally pulled myself up to the platform so that I could actually start the third course. I was so upset at myself for listening to that woman and I vowed that I would never take anyone else’s advice. Now the third course was much higher than the first two courses and I felt the difference right away. Did I mention I’m afraid of heights? I was faced with a dozen or so hanging vertical logs. I had to put one foot on one of the logs and then place the next on the second. My footing was not stable so I was swaying back and forth. I started to panic. My sweet husband tried to reassure me that I could do it but that was the last thing I wanted to hear so I snapped back at him, telling him not to speak to me. It is interesting how a person reacts when they are afraid. Good thing my husband just laughs it off because he thinks it is cute when I’m scared. Far from cute, I tell you!
I’m happy to say that I completed the third course without screaming “guide” even though there were many moments on the third course where I was so temped to get recused. There is no shame in calling “guide.” Peter was my hero that day. He completed all of the five courses. My husband and I watched from the distance cheering him on. We also watched how those in front of him and behind him were giving him sound advice and telling him that he could do it. In the end we had such a memorable experience. One that we will never forget.
Located at 21805 E State Road 70, Bradenton, FL 34202.
KP Hole
It is one thing experiencing a place on land and entirely different thing actually getting into the water. We love to kayak. There is this peace that comes over you when your paddle your way across a body of water. Now none of the rivers in California look this way because we don’t have spring-fed rivers like these. The water is so clear and blue. Many scuba dive here and this is such a safe and great place to learn to scuba dive at. This place is very popular and we can see why. You’ll see plenty of birds and fish here. You could also bring your own boat here.
Located at 9435 SW 190th Avenue Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432.
Manatee Springs State Park
Florida’s springs are different from a hot spring because a hot spring is the result of volcanic activity affecting the water that is below the surface. Whereas, Florida’s spring is a hole where water is released from the earth’s surface. The springs here actually release 100 million gallons of water every day.
This park is named after the Manatees. These amazing sea cows come here during the cooler months.
This state park is so stunning. Here you can enjoy swamps and hardwood wetlands. I actually got my legs into the water. The water was surprisingly warm and I wish I had brought my swimsuit here. This is a beautiful park to enjoy an entire day at. You can actually camp here. We marked it so that when we do take a road trip down to Florida as a family we will make it our priority to stay here.
Located at 11650 NW 115 St, Chiefland, FL 32626
The Blue Gator
They serve a variety of amazing sandwiches and alcoholic beverages here. We had gator meat which was served fried and as an appetizer. If you’ve never tried gator meat you’ll want to at least try their appetizer to see if you’d like it or not. We loved it.
Located at 12189 S Williams St, Dunnellon, FL 34432.
Comfort Suites of Dunnellou
What a great place to stay if your passing by. It is really close to the KP Hole which was perfect for us. Comfort Suites is always clean and their costumer serves is amazing.
Located at 20052 Brooks Street Dunnellon, FL 34432.
Thank you Ocala Marion Visitors and TreeUmph! for hosting our trip.
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