Gowanderer December 2014 Volume One/Issue One

December 2014 1

Abandon the OrdinaryDecember 2014 | Vol 1, Issue 1

OPERATION BLUE PRIDE

BEST DOG BEACHESTHE WILD MAN OF THE SANTA FE RIVER

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Abandon the Ordinary

FEATURESOperation Blue Pride | 6

DEPARTMENTS Publisher’s note | 5 Abandon The Ordinary

Tracks | 10 Hitting the Beach With Man’s Best Friend

Happenings | 16 Calendar of Events

Travel Talk | 18 Let’s Make A Deal

Vagabond Voices | 20 Getting Nak-Ed

1020 6

Table of contents

December 2014 3

December 20144

Go Wanderer MagazineDecember 2014

Volume 1: Issue 1

Publisher/EditorJessica Smith

[email protected]

Art Director:Heather Lenemier

[email protected]

Writers:Lindsay Clark

Bob MarxJessica Smith

Photography:Jim Abernethy

Elizabeth SmythLindsay ClarkJessica Smith

Christine Shepard

Sales:Jessica Smith

[email protected]

Go Wanderer MediaPO Box 5344

Ocala, Fl. 34478352-239-0985

[email protected]

Copyright 2014 Go Wanderer Media. All rights reserved. No part may be

reprinted in whole or in part with out written permission from the publisher.

Unsolicited material will not be returned. Publisher is not responsible for advertisers’

claims or content of advertisements.

COME RIDE WITH US!

MUSTANG MOON EQUINE SOLUTIONSWe offer many fantastic equine activities.

http://mustangmoonequinesolutions.blogspot.com/

Check out our website!

Follow us on:

Go Wanderer is a travel resource based out of Central Florida that focuses on sharing travel news and stories from both near and far. Our goal is to provide details on places around the globe that will motivate you to get out there and explore. Travel tips, location information, and stories from wanderers like yourself, are what fuel our web-fire. Whether you are stepping out into your own backyard, or prepping your backpack for a trip abroad, we hope that you find our site inspir-ing and helpful while planning your journey.

December 2014 5

Where are you wandering? Whether

it’s across town to a doctor’s

appointment or hitting the road for

a weekend in the Keys, we’re a ll

head ing somewhere. This magazine

is ded icated to people in motion,

people that take risks. I’ve spent a good

portion o f my life moving from one place to another,

from sleeping under the stars in Monument Valley, Utah, to

crouching through catacombs in Vienna, Austria, for me life isn’t in

full color un less I am on the move. There is nothing I enjoy more than bringing

those experiences home and sharing them with the people I care about.

A few years back I stumbled upon the road lead ing home, and h ave since spent my time

getting to know Florida with new eyes. With quiet springs, mangrove tunnels to paddle

through, and wild caves, it became c lear to me th at there is so muc h adventure to celebrate

and sh are within Florida. Thus Go Wanderer was born, with the mission to sh are the o ff the

beaten path places, and adventure travel destinations with others wandering in the State.

In this issue we celebrate the risk takers. Whether it ’s starting a

new business, jumping in the

water with a tiger sh ark, or stepping away from conventiona l society to spend their days in a hut

on the river bank, this first issue o f Go Wanderer Magazine highlights th

e people o f Florida th at

don ’t hold back. These folks know better th an most th at fear and uncerta inty are fact

ors th at we

a ll face moving forward on the road o f life, but we can ’t let them reroute us from the destination

we’re seeking.

With th at in mind, I encourage you to take th at first step away from your routine, with

a little inspiration from these pages. Pack your bags, lace up your boots, and abandon the

ord inary. Let ’s go wandering!

PUBLISHER’s NOTE

Abandon the Ordinary

December 20146

Operation BLUE PRIDE

Written by Jessica Smith Photos by Jim Abernethy

December 2014 7

A dark figure slowly emerges through the depths, a shadow moving

smoothly closer in the vibrant blue waters off of the southern coast of Florida, not far from the Bahamas. A line of divers in black wetsuits, streaming bubbles to the surface, watches in silent awe as the 14ft tiger shark draws near. Hollywood influence and media frenzy should have these divers clamoring for the boat deck in fear, but they remain calm and still, resting on the sandy ocean floor. Visible dark stripes up the shark’s side glide past under the outstretched fin-gers of the divers, making contact with the apex predator of the deep. These divers are no strangers to high stakes situations, all of which are veterans of the United States military and bearing the scars to prove it. Since leaving the dry and war torn land-scape of the Middle East, these heroes have taken on the new mission of saving sharks, veterans, and our oceans with Op-eration Blue Pride.

Brought together in 2012, Operation Blue Pride started out as an idea of co-found-ers Jim Abernethy and Sue Chen, for a documentary meant to honor our nation’s veterans while casting light on the envi-ronmental issues plaguing our oceans. The film was meant to pay tribute to our wounded warriors, with the hope of turn-ing them into conservationists and spokes people for preservation of sea life, specifi-cally sharks. Along the way an unexpect-ed positive side effect was revealed that would ultimately shape what Operation Blue Pride was all about.

“We discovered that when people with inju-ries go underwater, including post traumat-ic stress, the pain is removed,” began Jim Abernethy, co-founder of Operation Blue Pride and shark conservationist, “I thought ‘Oh my gosh, this is a game changer. We can help veterans remove their pain while at the same time taking them underwater’. We only protect what we love and I thought we can save veterans at the same time we

December 20148

save sharks, and that’s ex-actly what’s happened.”

Having been raised in Florida, Jim fell in love sea turtles and became enamored by the ocean at a young age. With his focus eventually moving to sharks, Jim’s enthusiasm for conservation consumed his free time, prompting him to make his passion his busi-ness. A professional photog-rapher and filmmaker, Jim’s work has been featured at National Geographic, Animal

Planet, BBC Wildlife, IMAX, and more. In an effort to pull attention to the subject of shark preservation, Jim and partner Shawn Heinrichs have produced several films on the subject, most recently Tigress Sharks. This film fea-tures Australian supermod-el Hannah Fraser dancing underwater surrounded by sharks, and calls on viewers to end the war on sharks.

Eager to change the public’s mind on sharks, Jim seeks to

turn everyone he meets into an ocean enthusiast. Accord-ing to the Operation Blue Pride documentary, some-where between 63,000,000 and 273,000,000 sharks are killed each year in a practice known as shark finning. Har-vested for their fins, primarily for shark fin soup and East-ern medicine, the sharks’ fins are sliced off and the living shark is then thrown back into the water, immobile, to suffocate on the ocean floor. It is the mission of Operation

9

Blue Pride to bring awareness to this practice and ultimately end it for the sake of our seas. The documentary’s message makes a powerful impact coming from human spokes-persons, some of which have lost limbs themselves.

“It’s barbaric and it needs to be stopped,” explained Aber-nethy, “We’re trying to end the war on sharks for the health of our oceans, while we help veterans remove the pain that they are in.”

Featuring three different wounded warriors, the docu-mentary Operation Blue Pride allows viewers to enter into the world of the modern vet-eran and the obstacles that greet them upon returning home. Facing both the physi-cal pain from injury and the mental and emotional chal-lenges of post-traumatic stress disorder, these heroes return to the United States to a new life of challenges. Op-eration Blue Pride reconnects these veterans, allowing them to work together with others who have been through or are facing similar challenges, and unites them with a new goal. Floating weightlessly through an underwater world when diving acts as therapy to these veterans, taking their mind away from everything but the present moment and the world they are exploring around them under the waves. Forming a supportive team, the veterans and dive experts at Operation Blue Pride come together to strengthen one another under a common pur-pose, and ultimately begin to heal both their wounds and the sea.

Operation Blue Pride has lived on beyond the documentary

and continues to get veterans dive certified and in the water interacting with ocean life. By the end of the summer of 2014 another 25 veterans were cer-tified by volunteers in Boston, thanks to the law firm of Sul-livan and Worcester, who saw the original documentary and felt compelled to contribute. With branches of Operation Blue Pride popping up around the United States, the move-ment is growing quickly.

“It’s not important where they get certified,” Jim continued, “What’s important is that they get underwater and relieve the pain they are in. If they are a part of Operation Blue Pride we give them the tools they need in order to do presen-tations and help us make a huge difference in education.”

Whether it’s releasing research sea turtles back into the water, speaking at events about en-vironmental issues, or getting up close and personal with a shark, the veterans are given the new purpose of marine conservation and become a part of an organization of passionate volunteers, fight-ing to make a difference. As a 501(c)3 Not for Profit Or-ganization, no one at Opera-tion Blue Pride makes a pay check, and are instead fu-eled by the desire to make a differ-ence. All donations go straight to funding the project by sponsoring trips, covering dive certification costs, and providing dive gear for the veterans.

If you are interested in sup-porting Operation Blue Pride, watching the documentary, o r lea rn ing more about the non-profit, you can visit www.operationbluepride.org for more information.

WANT TO DIVE IN? You too can have a close

encounter with a predator of the deep by joining in

on one of Jim Abernathy’s commercial dive tours.

Experience the ocean like never before by diving cage-

less with great hammerheads, tiger sharks, lemon sharks, and even whale sharks on

these multi-day tours in the Bahamas. Jim Abernathy’s

Scuba Adventures also offers dive certification courses

and tours out of Palm Beach, Florida, for those

interested in getting started. Whatever your skill level, adventure awaits for you

under the waves with Scuba Adventures. Check out www.

scuba-adventures.com to learn more.

December 201410

tracks

HITTING THE BEACH WITH

MAN’S BEST

FRIENDWritte

n by Lindsay Clark

December 2014 11

With a little planning ahead, your dog can

enjoy a day at the beach with you. It’s important to do your research as most beaches in Florida are not dog friendly and very few allow for off leash fun, but with a little prep and a tank of gas, you and your pup will be splash-ing through the waves in no time. To help you on your way, here is a run down on a few of the top dog friendly beaches. Now, go jump in!

1. Fort de Soto Park: St. Petersburg, FLTopping the list is this won-derful dog beach within Fort de Soto Park. Located near the main pier, it is one of the only off leash dog beaches in the state. Make sure your pooch can handle all the ex-citement of being free, as there is no fencing and they are required to stay within a specific area. A $5 per car entry fee is well worth the cost, as the entire park it-self is very dog friendly. You can even take your pup in a kayak with you! Just off the beach is a fenced in dog park with separate areas

With Florida’s steadily warm

temperatures, cooling off

becomes everyone’s number

one priority. Your four legged

friends are no exception!

December 201412

for small and large dogs. A great feature is a hosing sta-tion to get all the sand and salt off before the trip home.

PRO TIP:Sand spurs abound in the dunes, protect your pups paws by making sure to stick to the beautiful white sand of the beach.

2. Smyrna Dunes Park: New Smyrna Beach, FLWith your choice of a smaller quiet beach on the

Indian River or the larger open waters of the Atlan-tic, this beach has plenty of room for you and your furry friends. This beach is on leash and $5 per vehicle for up to eight people. The boardwalks to the beach are off limits to dogs after 10:30 am, follow the signs to the sandy paths that lead alongside. After a day in the surf, clean up before heading home at a bath-ing station that even allows you to shampoo your pup!

PRO TIP:Bring a cart! The path to the beach along the Atlantic is around a mile. Hauling beach chairs and more that distance is quite the chore.

3. Fort Myers, FL: Bonita BeachWhile all beaches in the Town of Fort Myers and the City of Sanibel allow on-leash dogs, Bonita Beach Dog Park is a hidden gem for those look-ing to allow Rover to romp while off leash. This park

December 2014 13

2) Know the Limits: It’s a good idea to throw a few important accessories into the beach bag for the pup along with your normal supplies. A sturdy six foot leash is a necessity, all on-leash beaches prohibit retractable leashes, and many specifically require a six foot lead.

1) Lap it up: Don’t forget a water bowl and fresh water. Not all beaches have drinking water available and the dogs will certainly work up a thirst frolicking through the waves. A collapsible sili-cone bowl is a great op-tion that won’t break or take up much room.

3) Keep it Clean: One can never have too many plastic bags for those ‘gotta go’ moments. Most dog friendly areas provide them, but not all do, or they may have run out. You may be fined for failing to be diligent during poop patrol, so it’s always best to keep a few on hand.

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Checklist☐ collapsable waterbowl☐ gallon jug of fresh water☐ an umbrella for shade☐ 6 foot leash (some parks require)☐ doggy bags to clean up messes☐ towels ☐ a sheet or tarp to protect your car seat cushions

is free, but the facilities are very minimal. The only re-stroom facilities for the humans in your family are port-a-potties, though there is a new dog showering sta-tion available. Bonita beach backs up to mangroves, which entices the dogs run off and play hide and seek, so please make sure your dog is under voice control, it would be very difficult to go in after them!

PRO TIP:Check the tide charts be-fore heading out. If the tide is high, be prepared to wade through calf deep water just to get to the beach area. Also, the high tide limits the amount of beach space available to play on, which can crowd the dogs into a small area.

4. Flagler Beach, FLAll beaches in unincorpo-rated Flagler County allow dogs, provided they are on a six foot leash. The only exception is a small, dog-free area around the pier. Check for signs at each beach access that will give you a heads up if your pup is welcome or not. The county is very strict about their leash laws, and will happily pass out $50 fines to anyone allowing their pooch free rein. They even police the beaches from helicopter, so don’t think you won’t be noticed on a quieter day!

PRO-TIP:This is definitely a beach you want to be sure to pack dog-gie bags and water. None are available for visitors.

5. St. Augustine, FLThe entire city of St. Augus-tine is very dog friendly and their beaches are no ex-ception. All beaches allow leashed pets, with Crescent beach being a particularly popular destination. While visiting this historic and beautiful city, taking a break on the beach with your pet is a great idea. Just be sure to check before you enter any of the many State Park beaches, as they all set their own rules. Several do not allow pets at all.

PRO TIP:If you hit the beach at Man-tanzas Inlet, and get a little hungry, head to the Mantan-zas Inlet Restaurant on the water for munchies where you can bring your pup right up on the deck seating.

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live holiday music. — Sip some hot cider as you browse a selection of home-baked goodies, and special holiday ornaments.

Information 352-336-9096

[email protected] www.hailehomestead.org

A Rare Opportunity to see the Homestead at Night

6 PM to 9 PM, Admission $10 donation, under 12 free $7 if purchased at the Homestead Holidays!

Fundraiser for our Visitors’ Center – Music, free refreshments

Sunday, Dec 7th — 12 PM to 4 PM FREE Admission

Friday, Dec 12th — Candlelight Visits

You belongat the Appleton.

4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470AppletonMuseum.org | 352-291-4455

Guided boat tours down the Withlacoochee River

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Celebrating 17 yearsCaptain Mike’s Lazy River Cruises

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PLEASE CALL FOR RESERVATIONS or if you have 72 hours or more you can email at [email protected]

December 201416

OCT. 5 - JANUARY 4MEGALODON: THE LARGEST SHARK THAT EVER LIVED Florida Museum of Natural HistoryGainesville, Fl.Learn about this ancient giant through this interactive exhibit$7 for adults ($6 for Florida residents)$4.5 0 for ages 3-17www.flmnh.ufl .edu

DECEMBER 5 - 6FESTIVAL OF TREES Tioga Town Center, Noon to 10pm (Friday the 5th) and 10am to 10pm (Satruday the 6th)Newberry, Fl. Weekend long silent auction of decorated trees to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. Tree Showcase is open to the general public with a $5 suggested donation.www.giving.ufhealth.org/FOT

DECEMBER 6DUDLEY FAMILY CANE DAY (9am to 3pm)Dudley Farm18502 W Newberry Rd,Newberry, Fl. 32669Visit the farm to grind sugar cane and boil cane syrup. Farm tours, blacksmith demonstrations, wood working, and children’s activities. Admission is $8 per vehicle (up to 8 occupants) www.friendsofdudleyfarm.org

DECEMBER 6 - 7FAMILY CAMPOUT AT CARNEY ISLAND Carney Island Recreation and Con-servation Area13275 SE 115th Ave,Ocklawaha, Fl. Fun for the whole family. Kayaking, hiking, crafts, and meals. Children must be at least 8 years old. Tents and camping gear provided (must bring own sleeping bag). $40 for a family of two, $12 for each additional member. www.marioncountyfl.org/parks.htm

happenings

DECEMBER 7DIVAS HALF MARATHON & 5K St. John’s County Ocean Pier350 A1A Beach BlvdSt. Augustine, Fl 32080Lace up your running shoes and straighten your tiara, for this diva-centered half marathon and 5Kwww.runlikeadiva.com

DECEMBER 13OCALA REINDEER RUN Gateway Bank1632 East Silver Springs Blvd.Ocala, Fl. 344705K Run beginning at 9:30 pm just before the start of the Christmas parade. $20 for Adults, $18 Youth 5Kwww.active.com

DECEMBER 13WILDLIFE WALK ON THE LA CHUA TRAIL La Chua Trail at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park4801 Camp Ranch Rd,Gainesville, FL 32641Set out on one of the park’s most

popular trails for viewing wildlife. Meets at 9am. Park entry fee of $2.Reserve your space at www.prairiefriends.org

DECEMBER 20RIM RAMBLE HIKE Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park4801 Camp Ranch Rd. Gainesville, FL 32641Meets at 8am in the La Chua Trail parking lot. $5 per person (Cash only)3.5 mile, half day ranger led hike.Reserve your space at www.prairiefriends.org

DECEMBER 205K JINGLE BELL RUN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA-MARION COUNTY Cross Florida Greenway Park, Baseline Trail

DECEMBER 12HOMESTEAD HOLIDAYS Haile Homestead Candlelight Visit 8500 SW Archer Rd. Gainesville, Fl.6pm-9pm, Admission: $10 donation, under 12 freeVisit the historic homestead by candlelight www.hailehomestead.org

DECEMBER

December 2014 17

4255 SE 58th Ave,Ocala, Fl. 34472Begins at 7:30 am and benefits the Special Olympics Florida-Marion County. A festive 5K with DJ and special prizes. Family friendly atmosphere and is sponsored by The Runner’s Pace. www.active.com

JANUARY 9 - 10U.S. BBQ ASSOCIATION CONTEST 2200 NW 17th Pl., Ocala, Fl. Four category contest, Chili contest, Tailgate Contest, Team Spirit Award, Food Tasting, and overall presentation. Begins Friday the 9th at 5pm and Saturday the 10th at 5pm www.eventful.com

JANUARY 18APALACHICOLA OYSTER COOK-OFF Riverfront Park, Downtown Apalachicola. 12-5pm Oyster Cook-Off contest. Register to enter your best recipe and win. www.oystercookoff.com

JANUARY 17 - 18BROOKSVILLE RAID REENACTMENT (35TH ANNUAL) 2015 Brooksville Raid ReenactmentHighway 50 West (at Sand Hill Scout Reservation)The largest Civil War reenactment in Florida. Over 1500

reenactors, tour Confederate and Union recreated camps and visit the 60+ vendors. www.brooksvilleraidreenactment.com

JANUARY 24 - 25MANATEE FESTIVAL (30TH ANNUAL) Valentine Park, Orange City 32763Games and entertainment fundrais-er for Friends of Blue Spring State Park. Adults $8, children 4-10 $2, children under 3 are free, dogs $10 www.themanateefestival.com

JANUARY 24 - 25, 30 AND FEBRUARY 1HOGGETOWNE MEDIEVAL FAIRE Alachua County Fairgrounds2900 NE 39th Ave, Gainesville, Fl. 32609Watch battles and cheer for your favorite competitor as the Lords and Ladies of Hoggetown

JANUARYFEBRUARY

bring the Middle Ages to life. Admission: $17 for adults, $7 for children 5-7. Children under 5 are free. www.gvlculturalaffairs.org

FEBRUARY 7 - 82ND ANNUAL BROOKSVILLE NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL Florida Classica Park5360 Lockhart Rd.Brooksville, Fl 34602Native American Dancing, arts and crafts, primitive skills demonstrations, Native food, and more. www.brooksvillenativeamericanfest.com

FEBRUARY 14HEART, HOME & HISTORY TOUR Haile Homestead8500 SW Archer Rd. Gainesville, Fl. Tour goes from 1-4pm

and starts at the Homestead before moving to the Kanapaha Church Cemetery, and concluding at the historic Kanapaha Presbyterian Church. www.hailehomestead.org

FEBRUARY 14 &15 OCALA OUTDOOR EXPO Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Vendors, Exhibits, Raffles, Seminars and more.

Admission $5 (15 and under are free)

www.ocalaexpo.com

December 201418

It wasn’t all that many years ago that the words

‘Let’s Make a Deal’ could have easily served as the mantra for the hospitality and travel industry. I know. I was there. The hospitality industry was severely overbuilt, especially in the select service hotel segment (those hotels with-out a restaurant, bar, room

TRAVEL TALK

LET’S MAKE A DEALHotel

service, etc.), both business and lei-sure travelers were hard to come by and hotel owners and their manage-ment companies were frantic to fill those beds with paying guests to

put the cha-ching back in their registers.

Well... sad to say those days of buyer in charge are gone with the wind, with minor ex-ception. All is not lost, how-ever, but it will take more than a plea for mercy or a melodic fable to realize those historic days of economic travel value. Hopefully I will be able to pro-vide you with some wisdom to

get the most out of your next va-cation or week-end getaway.

Let’s explore one of the chief compo-

nents of leisure travel, hotels, and provide tips

you can incorporate into your next booking.

There was a time that if you had a card for just about any lifestyle group, you could land a discount on your next overnight hotel stay. Not so much anymore. Yes, you can still cop a discount on that next room, but you need to understand hotels’ pricing and do your homework..

If you don’t want to have some severe buyer’s re-morse next time you lay your head down to sleep, consider these booking tools and recommendations:

-Before you book a room on any site check with the local Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

LET’S MAKE A DEAL(CVB) in your destination city. Often they know who is offer-ing special rates, who is not and what hotel(s) will meet your needs.

- Book your hotel (and/or rental car) simultaneously with your airline ticket. Many carri-ers, both discount and legacy, have travel agreements with hotels of all types in the city you are heading to. And book-ing in “package” offers monu-mental savings.

-While the OTA’s (On line travel agencies) such as Trav-elocity, Expedia, Priceline, Hot-Guzzi.com etc. offer significant savings on hotel accommo-dations do NOT forsake the individual hotel web sites be-fore you book. More and more of the national brands such as Marriott, Starwood, Choice, etc. guarantee that their on line rates will meet or beat the OTA sites.

- Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount if you do book direct

OnlineValue

Booking

TRAVELWritten by Bob Marx

with your destination hotel – unlike airlines very often you can reach a knowledgeable and compassionate reserva-tion agent locally or thru the hotel’s 800 number. When you do ask if they honor and provide special rates for AARP, AAA, in-state residents, etc.

- Once again be date flexible with your arrival and departure if at all possible. Rigidity is the dream of every hotel because then you have to accept the rate at the time of booking. As an example Monday-Wednesday are prime dates for business travel and they (no big revelation here) pay the highest rates. So will you if you join them.

- Search out hot deals for your next overnight sen-sation on the major travel sites or compare all of the sites at once thru aggregate sites like Tripmama, Kayak or NameTrips.com

There you have it... a guide to saving some bucks on your next travel adventure. As John Steinbeck so eloquently stat-ed, “ A journey is like a mar-riage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” You can still enjoy the trip but it definitely takes some re-search, patience and old fash-ioned shoe leather to get the best value. Have a great trip!

Bob Marx is a marketing/cus-tomer satisfaction consultant specializing in the hospitality industry with his own firm, Reed Roberts Marketing based in Lady Lake, Florida. Bob has spent 35 years working in the hotel, airline and destina-tion marketing industries and has written for a number of travel and business publications including Today’s Restaurant News, Palm Beach Business Chronicle, Central California Business and more. Check out www.reedrobertsmarketing.com

“There’s a difference between nudity and filth,” the elderly man sitting next to me on the wooden bench explained. Surrounded by towering cypress trees and heavy drapes of Spanish moss, I sat

and listened, straining to pick up the sound of his gravely whispering voice amongst the hum of swamp bugs and the patter of raindrops on the canopy.

“At first when I came here and saw someone coming, I’d disappear into the woods,” he went on, “and then I learned that canoers and kayakers were pretty good people.”

GETTING NAK-ED: IN SEARCH OF THE WILD MAN OF THE SANTA FE

VAGABOND VOICES

Written by and photos by Jessica Smith

December 201420

December 2014 21

For John Edward Watts, those first encounters took place near-ly thirty years ago on the banks of a much changed Lily Spring. Known locally as Naked Ed, Watts has been skinny dipping in Lily for 28 years, cementing himself into Santa Fe River folk lore. For him, uninhibited exis-tence on the river is more than recreation, it’s a lifestyle. Over the years he has gone from a visitor, to the official caretaker of the small private spring, keeping it clean of trash and maintaining it’s campgrounds.

Currently constructing his 5th hut, his previous structures have met a variety of demises. Floods, ar-son, and insurance issues have brought down his structures in the past, but Ed remains and rebuilds, as much of a part of the river as any cypress knee or gator.

Raised across the river in Co-lumbia County, Ed was born with a condition called Osteogen-esis imperfecta, or as it is more commonly known, brittle bone disease. This congenital bone disorder vastly increases the likelihood of fractures. Having been brought up in hospital beds and often unable to maneuver to clean himself, Ed had to rely on hospital staff and was raised having never learned to be shy about his body. Being nude was what was normal, and swim-ming helped to alleviate some of his pain.

“I know what a broke bone is af-ter 70 something of them, might be 80 something of them now,” he shifted, displaying a recently fractured foot, “Osteogenesis imperfecta, most people don’t make it to 50 years old. I’ve got a minor case compared to most people that have the disease. A lot of them never get out of the wheelchair. A lot of them die at 8 or 9 years old because their bones break so bad just moving them around.”

Ed has found that soaking in the cool 72 degree water of Lily Spring is therapeutic to his aches and pains, and makes a habit out of climbing in to cool

off. Visitors are welcome to stop by for a dip as well, so long as they know what they are in for. The only way for the public to reach Lily Spring is by canoe or kayak. Just down stream from Poe Springs Park, paddlers wanting to visit Ed should keep a sharp eye on the left bank for a hand paint-ed wooden sign marking the small creek that heads into Lily. Well mannered campers are welcome (calling ahead is preferred), and there is a bath-room on site. Ed asks for $10 per person per night, and he provides the firewood. Un-able to chop it himself, these days he brings it in from High Springs, the closest town.

If you are heading down the Santa Fe, stop in to Lily and say hello. A local legend of sorts, Naked Ed may seem a little in-timidating at first, but once you have a seat and get to talking, you’ll realize you may never meet a person more willing to swap stories and reminisce river life. Often touted as “The Wild Man of the Santa Fe”, Ed’s free spirit and warm nature might put you in the Lily Spring frame of mind and inspire you to get Nak-Ed.

Simply Santa FeSnaking it’s way for 26 miles through hardwood hammocks and floodplain swamp, the Santa Fe river is a day tripper’s dream. With over 3 dozen springs, several of which are excellent swimming holes, the river offers nature lovers a chance to leisurely take in the sights and sounds of the High Springs area.

Perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike, this wide and smooth river is home to turtles, alliga-tors, river otters, and a variety of fish and birds. Drift-ing through Columbia, Suwannee, Gilchirst, and Ala-chua counties, the river allows paddlers the option of short trips, or overnight journeys downstream.

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EXPERIENCING THE N ATURE COAST WITHMAJESTIC MA NATEE TOURS

Through the cool and clear waters of Crystal River, a

famous Florida icon is silently moving back into the area in large numbers, drawing out locals and visitors alike, all hoping to catch a glimpse. The West Indian Manatee, a beloved symbol of wild Flor-ida, makes it’s winter home along our warm coastal wa-ters. While many of us grow up seeing images of these

gentle giants in picture books, it is only in Crystal River that visitors can actually swim along side them. With crowd-ed viewing decks and over booked ecotours launching daily, there is no better way to escape the large groups and experience the tranquility of the coast than setting out with Majestic Manatee Tours.

Family owned and operated, Majestic Manatee customizes all of its trips to its clients’ needs. With every tour being limited to a single private group, guests never have to worry about feel-ing crowded or rushed. Cap-tained by native Floridian, Cindi Guy, Majestic Manatee prides itself on being an exclusive tour service that delivers its custom-ers a trip that they will remember fondly for the rest of their lives.

Written by Jessica Smith

“We have people coming from all over the world specifically to swim with the manatees,” Cindi explained, “It’s a gem right in the backyard of Ocala and Gainesville.”

With manatees being on the endangered and threatened species list, Crystal River, Flor-ida is the only place in all of North America where people can legally swim and interact with them. Working closely with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cindi guides her guests through passive obser-vation of the manatees, inter-acting in a way that does not harass or do harm.

“We’re very educational,” she began, “that’s something that we strive for. I don’t want to just put people in the water. I like to teach people about the manatees.”

With discussions on habitat, behavior, birth rate, and more, guests are led through the coastal waters of Crystal River on a journey of discovery. All gear and necessary equip-ment (masks, snorkels, wet-suits, foam noodles, and etc) are provided, leaving nothing for the visitor to do but slip into the water and enjoy the ex-perience. The tours are open

to people of all ages, even little ones (fitted with life jackets), and those who do not wish to enter the water can still ob-serve manatees up close from the boat.

With the scenic backdrop of the bay, Cindi has also recently start-ed offering weddings aboard her boat, Calypso. This gorgeous and

intimate setting is the perfect unique venue for nature lov-ers to share with their friends and family on their special day. For more information about the wedding services or to learn more about the man-atee tours, please visit www.majesticmanateetours.com or call 352-795-8687, and book your visit today.

EXPERIENCING THE N ATURE COAST WITHMAJESTIC MA NATEE TOURS

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