Adventure Journal: Central Florida
There’s more to Central Florida than beaming lights and roaring roller coasters – thrills beyond the twists and turns of metal. Just north of the thrilling metropolis there are many sweet spots for refreshing that inner adventurer. I’m going to tell the tale of just a few low key, high fun outdoor adventures that augment an afternoon post surf session or beach burn.
Kings landing Natural Spring
The sun gleams off the surface of the transparent blue with diamonds floating in the water. There are parades of bottomless kayakers and standing ovation boarders crowding the inlet towards the canopy of palms. We veer left first going downstream following the current. The water turns a more ominous shade with suspicious foliage stretching out from the bank on either side. Fallen trees and lily pads coated with algae and cute turtles. Then there they were sunbathing in the moss eyes just above the water line, their long scaley bodies floating effortlessly. Packs of gators just hanging out – we quickly paddled around with heart rates soaring, oars splashing, and guts sinking. Not today gators, not today.
We made record time back up stream and continued up. The water was gorgeous creating views straight down towards the sandy bottom. There are plenty of places to get out of the kayak and submerge beneath the translucent liquid. A guided tour of kayakers and paddlers stop just ahead of us, and we see the dare devils in the group begin jumping from laddered branch ahead. One by one only four in and the groups loving it until one guest jumps and lets out an abysmal shriek from the deepest bowels of her stomach. She surfaces and is yelling in pain the guide races over, my friend and I both medical folks – her a badass RN and I a moonlighting EMT, swim over and help get her onto the large paddle board. Her patella is very visibly dislocated and she’s framing it in an iPhone picture posting for Instagram as I’m checking her pedal pulse. She’s quite communicable and is escorted back down stream for emergency transport. It was fortunately the only carnage seen out on the spring besides how the beautiful blue and luscious overhanging palms were killing it. The vibe was immensely peaceful and radically unique to the Florida waters. Visitors can rent paddle boards, kayaks, or a pass for their own gear and enjoy the day out on the water. Just up the road there’s an access point for those seeking an effortless float down the same spring but beware the line for entry begins earlier than opening gates. Worth it for some unforgettable water adventure and amazing tropical scenery.
Devils Den
Scuba and snorkel mecca. Hidden hole in the ground swim party- rent or bring your own gear, sign in, and begin. Not much else to say here except it’s totally worth jumping in with both feet on this one.
Ten Thousand Islands Isles, Cocoa Beach inlet
Paddled away here alongside dolphins and under the warm sun – for real though we had several dolphins swimming, spitting, and splashing water by us it was fantastic.
Who are we without our food … Traveling can make it hard to get the foods I’m used to like oh greens, and nutritional substance with animal well-being in mind with exceptionally great flavor? These two spots are gems and staples in my visits to the Cocoa Beach area. Greens, fruits, and flavors abundance not to mention cups down best coffee in the area.
Couple hours up you can detour to St. Augustine, Florida a historic and vibrant city. The charm sits in the colors and landscape nestled along the beachy shores. The aroma of sweet salty air and fresh empanadas and treats floating almost as carelessly as the clouds passing by one by one in the sky ahead. Very dog friendly which I thoroughly appreciated as did JFK as is proven by her radiating smile.
the beautiful blue and luscious overhanging palms were killing it. The vibe was immecnly peaceful and radically unique to the Florida waters. Visitors can rent paddle boards, kayaks, or a pass for their own gear and enjoy the day out on the water. Just up the road there’s an access point for those seeking an effortless float down the same spring but beware the line for entry begins earlier than opening gates. Worth it for some unforgettable water adventure and amazing tropical scenery.
Devils Den
Scuba and snorkel mecca. Hidden hole in the ground swim party- rent or bring your own gear, sign in, and begin. Not much else to say here except it’s totally worth jumping in with both feet on this one.
Ten Thousand Islands Isles, Cocoa Beach inlet
Paddled away here alongside dolphins and under the warm sun – for real though we had several dolphins swimming, spitting, and splashing water by us it was fantastic.
Who are we without our food … Traveling can make it hard to get the foods I’m used to like oh greens, and nutritional substance with animal well-being in mind with exceptionally great flavor? These two spots are gems and staples in my visits to the Cocoa Beach area. Greens, fruits, and flavors abundance not to mention cups down best coffee in the area.
Couple hours up you can detour to St. Augustine, Florida a historic and vibrant city. The charm sits in the colors and landscape nestled along the beachy shores. The aroma of sweet salty air and fresh empanadas and treats floating almost as carelessly as the clouds passing by one by one in the sky ahead. Very dog friendly which I thoroughly appreciated as did JFK as is proven by her radiating smile.
