The Wandering Disciple

What might look like Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars to some, is actually a naturally formed geological feature within the Florida Caverns State Park near Marianna, Florida. The only underground air-filled cavern in the State of Florida features rock formations that resemble all sorts of things like Donald Duck, bacon, birthday cakes and much more if you use your imagination. Florida Caverns State Park was one of the many places we visited during our weekend Panhandle trip, be sure to check back for more photos from the trip during the upcoming days. (Photo: April 2, 2017)

Bristol, Florida: Located on a high bluff overlooking the Apalachicola River, Torrey State Park is in Florida yet feels like you’ve left the state. Check the flat landscape at the gate, Torreya is at an elevation of over 300 feet, making it one of the highest elevations in the state. Torreya is home of the Gregory House, a plantation built in 1849. It was built at Ocheesee Landing, opposite its current day location. It was relocated to the park by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. Today guests can take a tour of the historic plantation and take a glimpse of live during the antebellum period. The park is also home to the rare Torreya tree in which the park gets its name. The tree is only found along the limestone bluffs on the eastern bank of the river. At over 13,000 acres and 16 miles of hiking trails, there is plenty of natural wonder to view within the park. Along the trails you can view the six Confederate gun pits uses to help protect the river during ...

Marianna, Florida: When most people think of Florida, they immediately think of flat beaches as far as the eye can see. While that image is true for much of the state, there is a hidden gem in the panhandle that features elevation and even a cavern to explore. Located just outside of Marianna, the Florida Caverns State Park features the only dry cavern in the State of Florida. While the geological features of the park date back to over 38 million years ago, Florida Caverns State Park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and opened to the public in 1942. It was one of the many parks in the nation created by President Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal public works project. The crown jewel of the park is the cavern. This limestone cave was created as sea levels fell and ground water eroded away at the surface resulting in a stunning display of stalactites, stalagmites and other geological wonders. Today the park features guided tours of the cavern several times a day f...

Over 230 stairs take you on a 120 foot descent into the base of an ancient sinkhole at Devil’s Millhopper State Geological Park. The sinkhole is the highlight of the 67 acre state in Gainesville. (Photo: November 9, 2013)

Gainesville, Florida:   A dense tropical rainforest extends some 120 feet into the ground at the Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.  The site of a former sinkhole is now filled with tropical foliage, waterfalls and a stunning view from the floor of the sinkhole. While geologist can't confirm the exact date the sinkhole was formed, it is believed to have occurred almost 15 thousand years ago.  The sinkhole and surrounding property became a state park in 1974.  It is only geological site in the Florida State Park system. Today visitor's to the park can descend to the bottom of the sinkhole via a 232 step stairway.  The tranquiel sound of water cascading the sides of sinkhole surround you as you climb down to the bottom.  Once you reach the bottom, the sky almost disappears as you are surrounded by the dense canopy of trees surrounding the sinkhole. The 63 acre park also includes a hiking trail that circles the 500 foot wide sinkhole and a visit...

Micanopy, Florida: The great Savannah seems to stretch as far as the eye can see and provides home to many species of animals as well as a great place to enjoy the great outdoors.  Encompassing over 20,000 acres, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is an outdoor lover's dream, providing plenty of hiking, camping and wildlife watching opportunities. Located just south of Gainesville in the little town of Micanopy, Paynes Prairie has a rich history.  It has been inhabited for over 12,000 years according to historians.  It's wildlife has helped to sustain many Indian tribes including the Alachua band of the Seminole tribe. The park was named after the band chief's son, Payne. The rich land of the park is also thought to be a hunting spot for Spanish conquistador Hernando De Soto during his march through Florida in summer of 1539. It is believed that De Soto and his men stopped here on the march from Itaraholata to Cholupaha or present day Goethe State Forest and O'Leno...

Naples, Florida: Just a few miles east of I-75 in eastern Collier County lies a hidden gem on the edge of the Big Cypress Swamp. One of the last remaining strands of Bald and Pond Cypress in existence, the 10,000 acres of the Corkscrew Swamp are home to over 200 species of birds and wildlife. During the early 1900’s the Big Cypress Swamp was in its prime. The swamp stretched for over 5,000 square miles and was home to thick forests of cypress trees. The Bald Cypress were Florida’s version of the California Redwood, they grew to over 130 feet tall and towered over the swamp. Many species of wildlife resided within the canopy of the cypress, resulting in a very diverse population. By 1912, the National Audubon Society had wardens stationed within the Corkscrew Swamp to monitor the wildlife and most importantly protect the wading birds nests. During this time, it was common for a warden to record bird populations in the hundreds during a tour. The numbers continued to grow thanks the gre...