Customer Reviews

50 Great Walks in Florida (Wild Florida)

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Whether you are 70, 27 or 7, an active outdoors person or just like easy, but interesting walks with friends and family - this guide is for you. Some of the venues are classic Florida gardens or little known historic sites, others quaint small towns, lovely open stretches of wilderness on Florida's awesome coastlines, or trails through shaded hardwood hammocks and sub-tropical havens. Tourists and long-time residents who want to discover the REAL Florida will especially welcome this friendly little book. It's packed with information to lead 21st century explorers down some of the roads and paths less traveled in the Sunshine State.

I was hooked right from the start and didn't stop reading until finishing walk number 50 in "Old Town Key West." Lucy's award winning writing skills shine forth throughout with her vivid descriptions, fascinating historical background information, and amusing anecdotes. Her photographs and maps are an added bonus. Lucy provided a multitude of rich details about each location and how to get the most out of every walk. Readers are truly left with "no excuses" for not grabbing their walking shoes and starting the exploration of our beautiful state! I'm ready to go!

I had a chance to talk to Lucy in person -- here's some background: Lucy had a weekly column in the Ocala paper -- she'd report on a lazy ramble at some interesting site she'd just visited, then ask readers to join her next walk. It got to be a very popular column, with lots of walkers showing up every Saturday.
When Univ Press of Florida was looking for topics for their Wild Florida series, Lucy was a shoo-in. She buckled down, ranging the state for interesting walks. Each section of her finished book has a city walk, a wildlife walk, a great garden, some historic site, and one unusual place.
Better yet, Lucy's relaxed writing brings each place alive. I prefer floating to walking, but this book has inspired me to get out and ramble (that's amazing in itself!)
Each walk has complete background information, such as a map, GPS coordinates (are you into geocaching?) admissions, and even lunch spots.
Lucy drawls when she speaks. Her writing doesn't - it sparkles.

Sandy Huff
author of
"Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State"

Great book; we plan to do one of the walks each month. We will not only get the benefit of the walk, but will get to experience many areas of Florida. Great entertainment for the next 4 years.

There are a lot of travel books about Florida but Great Walks has a special flavor that makes it much more than just another travel book. These short journies are educational, inspiring and uniquely chosen to give you the taste of something unusual and special. Don't miss the Bo tree in Tampa or the Ospreys at Osprey island - both will open your eyes to a sublime beauty that the casual tourist never sees.