More Florida Bargains

3 Soldiers statue, Vietnam Memorial, Wash. DC

by Adele Woodyard
Beautiful weather so this week’s blog features places to go for outdoor fun. And what places could hold more things to see and do for little money, than Florida State Parks? http://www.floridastateparks.org In fact ALL of them offer FREE admission to veterans and active duty military with ID, on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11. Here’s some state park events for other days, and months into 2012.
Sat. Nov. 12 is Fall Pioneer Day at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou, Niceville. From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. activities include rag doll making, blacksmithing, music and more, with a 19th century Chuck wagon and Civil War campsite on display. Free for participants; $5 per vehicle, up to 8 people. 850-833-9144.

Sat.-Sun. Nov. 12-13 it’s Ocala County Days, Silver River, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Old-time music, storytelling, craft demos and Seminole-Native American culture add to the Florida history. $5 per person, Free for under six and current military with ID. 352-236-7148.
Discover the Island, Egmont Key offers a weekend of living history with Civil War re-enactors, games and crafts for kids, and a tour of the 1534 lighthouse. Shuttle boats ferry you from Fort DeSoto from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.$18 adult, $5 ages 6-11. http://www.egmontkey.info .

Mid-Nov. is the time West Indian manatees start appearing in Blue Spring, Orange City. The largest spring on the St. John’s River is a Manatee Refuge that attracts them through March. No swimming or diving with manatees is allowed but you can still fish, hike, canoe and picnic. $6 per carload, up to 8 people. 386-775-3663.

Weekends only, Nov. 2011-Mar 2012 you can take a 2 ½-3 hour ranger-led buggy tour exploring Kissimmee River Prairie Preserve, Okeechobee. The largest expanse of dry prairie remaining in the state is home to several endangered plants and animals; also great for birding and stargazing. Two tours a day, 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., in a buggy that only holds 8 people, so reservations required: 863-462-5360. Park entry $4 per carload; bring own water, snacks, hat and sunblock.
Thurs-Mon. year-round, Florida Caverns, Marianna offers 45-min. guided Cave tours beginning 9 a.m. first come-first served on weekends. $8 adult, $5 ages 3-12 at Visitor Center. Park entry $5 per carload. 850-482-9598.

Want a close-up view of real wilderness? Make a stop at the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve, Copeland. There’s no charge to enter this forested swamp that winds through the Everglades but access is limited. For a much better chance to see royal palms, orchids and other bromeliads, such wildlife as the Florida panther, black bear, wood stork, Everglades mink and more, pony up for a Nov.-Apr. one to three times a month guided Saturday tour. Boardwalk: $15 adult, $5 child; Canoe/kayak about 5-mile mangroves, chain of lakes, rookeries: $50, $15; Swamp walk, a half-day journey for the most adventurous: $60, $15. Call 239-695-4593 for times and dates.