Contrary to a great
deal of native Floridian’s belief, many tourists
view Florida as a place of intrigue. They think of
it as a tropical destination just made for relaxation
and entertainment. As a native Floridian myself,
writing about the state has helped me to realize
that all of the beauty, history, and mystique that
attracts and beholds visitors was staring me right
in the face when I was growing up. Now, I find myself
learning about seemingly unlimited special places,
things, and individuals throughout the state.
Most recently, I have
discovered Ocala, a significant city in Marion County
Florida, with a population of
46,453. The word Ocala is thought to be a derivative
of a Timucuan Indian term meaning fair land, or big
hammock. A drive down Fort King Street of Ocala provides
a confirmation of this definition, and a glimpse
at the incredible background of the city. History
Fort King, within the city limits of Ocala, offers
a window into the history of the city.
Archaeological
efforts are ongoing, with the goal of revealing
sensible and significant findings that
tell
the story of the city’s past. So far, we know
that Fort King was built before the Second Seminole
War of Florida, which took place between 1835 and
1842.
Exploring the city
will demonstrate the maturity of the city, with umbrellas
of 100-year-old trees,
along
with gorgeous old Victorian homes renovated with
grave consideration.
At the same time,
a more intimate visit of the city will reveal
the vigor and rawness
of the place,
with
dogwoods and azaleas lining the roads, and fresh
water springs and luminous rivers nestled in
quiet spots.
While the visual sites are one way to enjoy Ocala,
partaking in the activities are yet another.
When thinking of being active in the outdoors,
think
of the Ocala
National Forest. Ocala National Forest
The Ocala National Forest is the most heavily visited
of the three national forests in Florida. It’s
a natural wonderland boasting a diverse ecosystem,
with huge live oaks and palms standing tall and
proud. In addition, the pine scrub ecosystem
found in the
forest is known to be the largest continuous
forest of its type. The landscape rolls on and
on with coastal
lowlands, and various types of wetlands including
rivers, springs, swamps, lakes and ponds. These
wetlands provide
much entertainment and adventure in the Ocala
National Forest. People come from all over to
canoe and kayak
in the waters.
The climate in Ocala
allows for outdoor activity all year round. When
visiting Ocala you can look
forward
to hiking, canoeing, bike riding, swimming,
camping, and much more.
Hike
Although mostly flat, the Ocala National Forest
offers visitors some rewarding hiking. The
Florida National
Scenic Trail passes right through the park
and provides encounters with yellow longleaf
pine
forest, deer,
fox squirrels, and many species of birds. The
trail is part of a 1300-mile route that wanders
from
Gulf Island Seashore near Pensacola to the
Big Cypress
National Preserve near Miami.
Canoe
For seven miles, Juniper Creek meanders through
the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, amidst prairie
ponds
and pristine wetlands. Before becoming a typical
slow moving
Florida river, the first 2 _ miles is narrow,
only about six feet max, so some skill is required
before
shoving off. The trip starts at Juniper Springs
Recreation Area and ends at the Highway 19
bridge. For those
less inclined to paddle, the creek is also
fantastic for
swimming and camping. No matter what you do
near Juniper Creek, you will be blessed with
a landscape
comprised
of palms, cypress and hardwoods of all kinds.
Bike
How about a bike ride through a tropical paradise?
That’s what you’ll get in Ocala National
Forest. There is a 22-mile curvy bike trail. Take it
from south to north and you’ll encounter
a natural treasure, Alexander Springs Recreation
Area, with millions
of gallons of warm luminous water awaiting
a plunge. Its here that adventurers can also
snorkel and scuba
dive and expect to be entertained by tropical
fish and underwater foliage. When the day is
done, check
out the amphitheatre, buy some groceries at
the beach, and then retire to your camping
spot within the recreation
area.
Wildlife
There are many opportunities for Ocala visitors
to view wildlife. There are over 400 species
of birds
within the forest, as well the unique burrowing
owl, bobcats, and the elusive Florida Panther.
There are
more than 20,000 whitetail deer residing
in the forest. To get up close and personal
with
animals,
visit
the Doe Lake Horsecamp located in the Seminole
District and head out onto the 100 miles
of horseback riding
trails on one of their beautiful horses.
Aside from the many
adventures one can have in the Ocala National Forest,
travelers can
enjoy
an exceptional
level of solitude in the forest before
they venture back into the hustle of town.
Downtown
Ocala & Horse
Drawn Carriage Rides
Renovations to downtown Ocala have brought
commerce back to life. The town square
is now alive with
restaurants, art, shops and businesses.
The nightlife is blooming
also, with plenty of options for dining,
socializing and events. For a bit of
nostalgia, horse drawn
carriage rides are available on Friday
and Saturday evenings
by Ocala Carriage & Tours, a company
dedicated to taking visitors for a ride
to remember, on trolley
or carriage, through first-class horse
farms where riders will encounter Thoroughbreds,
Tennessee Walkers,
Paso Finos and Quarter Horses, to name
a few.
The hour-long journey
will demonstrate why Marion County is considered
the "Horse Capital of the World".
The tours are great for anyone. “Family's love
our tour, as the grandparents, parents and children
can all venture out of the carriage along the route
to visit, pat and take pictures of the horses, in their
natural environment,” states Mary Garland, owner
of Ocala Carriage & Tours. Their celebration style
tours include a complimentary bottle of champagne.
Arrangements can be made for couples to be picked up
from their home or hotel and taken by limo to the company’s
location to begin their carriage tour. Afterwards,
the couple is taken to dinner for an evening of romance.
Mary says, “Roses can be ordered for that special
romantic setting and rings have been delivered via
miniature stuffed animals, bears, or horses.”
Ocala Carriage does
their part to help protect the environment by taking
a
carriage, instead
of the
car, to the store for groceries.
After the recent hurricane,
they use the horses to move the fallen
trees and pull some unlucky people
out of the mud.
Ocala Carriage offers
a discounted rate of $22 per person for groups of
10 or
more people.
Senior
are
honored a rate of $20 per person.
Diving
Another fabulous reason to visit
Ocala is to visit Hal Watts and
The Grotto,
a NAUI
Technical
Training
Facility. Hal uses the “Forty Fathom Grotto” to
certify scuba divers in Open Water
Certification and referral certification
dives. His caters to many levels,
starting with beginners. The grotto
is an area in a
spring, which extends 240 feet
deep.
In addition, Hal offers
underwater-guided tours. “There
are thousands of 30 to 50 million years old (give or
take a few years) sand dollar and sea biscuit fossils
to see while exploring the beautiful limestone walls
or caverns, underwater platforms at 7', 15', 30' and
60', making teaching classes safe, fun and easy. The
Grotto is not open to the general diving public, hence,
there is plenty of room to teach,” states the
Grotto’s web site.
Hal provides the necessary
equipment, manuals and gas mixes at his
facility. He is passionate
about
he does
and is flexible when it comes
to scheduling courses just
for you.
Private instruction
is an option,
and they also offer a discount
of 10% when you enroll
in two or more classes.
Eco-Tours
Mike Tracy is a certified eco-tour
guide who runs Lazy River
Cruises, located
right outside
of Ocala.
When
you travel with Captain Mike
you have the option of coasting
down
the Withlacoochee
River, Rainbow
Springs
or Lake Rousseau. What you
don’t have the option
of is encountering plenty
of wildlife, including alligators,
turtles, eagles and falcons.
The voyage takes boaters
through Indian country. The
area is much as it was
when the Native Americans
thrived there, greatly undeveloped.
Captain Mike boasts
cruises for all tastes. In addition
to wedding,
sunrise
and sunset
cruises,
champagne
proposal and moonlight
cruises, Mike will also customize
a river cruise just for
you. When asked
what
his most memorable trip
has been, Mike says, “There are so many
but one of my favorites is when we were coming back
from a tour and we saw a Great blue heron and we had
seen several that trip. This one was focused on something
in the water so I turned off the motor and drifted
in his direction. I told everyone to watch this one
it looked like he was going to get a fish and at that
moment he dove his head into the water and pulled out
about a 1lb bass it was still alive and wiggling on
the end of his beak. We watched to see what he was
going to do and he shook the fish gently trying to
get it to the end of his beak. He finally got it to
the end of his beak and he threw it towards the bank.
The fish was jumping around on the bank and was ready
to jump back into the river so the heron walked over
to the fish and picked it up with his beak and threw
it up into the wooded area and a red-shouldered hawk
flew out of a tree and grabbed the fish. Not one person
that day had a camera.”
Captain Mike also ensures
that he does his part
environmentally. His
participates
in
the adopt-a-shore
program every
year, along with a rainbow
springs river clean up,
and wildlife
rescue. Mike also
does his
daily duty
of pulling fishing line
out of trees.
Captain Mike offers
a drawing for a free trip
each month
and presents
coupons
in the local
newspaper.
There are also group
rates and a package
available. The package
includes
a stay
at a local bed
and breakfast.
Dining
Mary of Ocala Carriage
suggests the restaurants
Golden Hills,
Pinstripes and Carmichaels.
She can make reservations
for Ocala Carriage
clientele. Captain
Mike offers a
different perspective
and says, “There are several
great restaurants in the area but my favorite is Stumpknockers
on Hwy 200. It is an old guesthouse that has been turned
into this rustic restaurant. Great food, great service
and great value for the money.”
Lodging
There are many hotels
in the Ocala area.
If you
feel comfortable
with
a chain,
choose from
Ramada
Inn,
Hilton, or Courtyard
by Marriott. If
a local lodge
is more
your style consider
Seven Sisters Inn,
Ritz Historic
Inn, Country
Inn & Suites, Heritage Country Inn,
Inverness Place B&B,
or Dinnerbell.
Ocala is a marvel
existing in a
small space of
Florida that
seems
immensely
large,
with its
tremendous natural
outdoor wonders.
Lets hope it
stays this
way, with
the help
of local
residents and
business owners.
Hopefully, they
understand what
a special place
Ocala is, and
will continue
to keep it as special
as
they can.
RESOURCES
Ocala
National Forest
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/florida/
Visit web site
for directions,
maps,
and information
on park areas.
Silver
Springs
5656 E. Silver
Springs
Blvd.
Silver
Springs,
FL 34488
352-236-2121
http://www.silversprings.com
Marion
County
Museum
of History
307 SE
26th Terrace
Ocala,
FL 34471
(352) 629-2773
Ocala/Marion
County
Chamber
of
Commerce
http://www.ocalacc.com
Visit
web
site
for
information
on
more
things
to
do
when
visiting
Ocala.
Ocala
Carriage & Tours
Mary Garland
352-867-8717
http://www.ocalacarriage.com/
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