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car stereo review Explorers Central Florida Second Edition
I did a lot of research before buying this book to find a volume that had hikes close enough to me that I would be motivated to complete them all. I settled on 50 Hikes in Central Florida by Sandra Friend because it had the most hikes in my immediate area of any of the books I found. I also liked that this edition had just been released, and so should be up-to-date with any changes made to trails, etc. I was disappointed that Tenoroc, which seems to have been included in the first edition of this guide, was left out of this edition (Tenoroc was expressly called out in one of the reviews I read of this book, so I feel I could have expected to find it here).
My plan is to complete all 50 hikes in this guidebook over the next year (in no particular order other than how far I feel like driving that day and what extras they have to offer based on who is going with me). So far we've completed 2 of the hikes - Circle B Bar Reserve and Catfish Creek Preserve. Both hikes were accurately described in the book. The author gave detailed directions for the best hiking trail/path - it's not her fault I can't follow directions to save my life, at least not when the directions require me to turn the right way at the correctly colored blaze or notice a marker number when I'm busy looking at a snake sunning himself on the trail. Luckily she also provides maps in the book and gives instructions on where to find trail maps when first arriving at the park/preserve/trail/etc. When hiking Catfish Creek Preserve in Dundee, a hike that is as challenging as the author promises, we found the map exactly where she said it would be in the red mailbox at the start of the trail. That map helped us find our way back out of the preserve when I somehow misread the directions I'd copied from the book and got us lost.
Many of the hikes in the book are listed as under 10 mile hikes - not to worry if you are looking for longer hikes. The author has provided directions on how to negotiate the trails to get an overview of the area and hit the highlights. For example the trail the author marks in the guide book at Catfish Creek Preserve is only 3.5 miles, however there are many more miles of trails in the preserve which can be explored once you have completed her perimeter path. The trail she marked is perfect for someone who wants to get the lay of the land and catch highlights such as the statue erected for the founder of the preserve. The times listed in the book to complete each hike are generous and seem to be inclusive of a moderate amount of time spent enjoying the views. The hikes included have been selected to satisfy a wide variety of interests from wildlife viewing to beautiful vistas to extras such as indoor playgrounds for the kids and offer different terrains from challenging sandy hills to hardpacked (and in one case paved) trails.
Overall I've found this guide extremely helpful in discovering hiking trails in my area that I was not aware of, very descriptive of the trails and the extras that come with them (such as nature centers, monuments, etc.), and accurate in assessing degree of difficulty. This is a helpful guidebook if you are looking to explore a variety of hiking trails in Central Florida; it's a great way to get to know the area and to experience the natural beauty it has to offer.
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I'm new to hiking, so I went to my favorite site, Amazon, to check for books about hiking. Sandra Friend's books were among the variety of reads that popped up. Sandra Friend's writing style, along with her in depth knowledge of the subject matter make planning a hike very doable. No excuses not to get out there and check things out for yourself. Detailed maps, directions and other points of interest make this book a MUST if you are considering setting out on foot to explore. I look forward to ordering additional books by this author.
my mother and i love to walk when we visit florida --this guide has some good hikes in fla, cant wait to try
I did a lot of research before buying this book to find a volume that had hikes close enough to me that I would be motivated to complete them all. I settled on 50 Hikes in Central Florida by Sandra Friend because it had the most hikes in my immediate area of any of the books I found. I also liked that this edition had just been released, and so should be up-to-date with any changes made to trails, etc. I was disappointed that Tenoroc, which seems to have been included in the first edition of this guide, was left out of this edition (Tenoroc was expressly called out in one of the reviews I read of this book, so I feel I could have expected to find it here).
My plan is to complete all 50 hikes in this guidebook over the next year (in no particular order other than how far I feel like driving that day and what extras they have to offer based on who is going with me). So far we've completed 2 of the hikes - Circle B Bar Reserve and Catfish Creek Preserve. Both hikes were accurately described in the book. The author gave detailed directions for the best hiking trail/path - it's not her fault I can't follow directions to save my life, at least not when the directions require me to turn the right way at the correctly colored blaze or notice a marker number when I'm busy looking at a snake sunning himself on the trail. Luckily she also provides maps in the book and gives instructions on where to find trail maps when first arriving at the park/preserve/trail/etc. When hiking Catfish Creek Preserve in Dundee, a hike that is as challenging as the author promises, we found the map exactly where she said it would be in the red mailbox at the start of the trail. That map helped us find our way back out of the preserve when I somehow misread the directions I'd copied from the book and got us lost.
Many of the hikes in the book are listed as under 10 mile hikes - not to worry if you are looking for longer hikes. The author has provided directions on how to negotiate the trails to get an overview of the area and hit the highlights. For example the trail the author marks in the guide book at Catfish Creek Preserve is only 3.5 miles, however there are many more miles of trails in the preserve which can be explored once you have completed her perimeter path. The trail she marked is perfect for someone who wants to get the lay of the land and catch highlights such as the statue erected for the founder of the preserve. The times listed in the book to complete each hike are generous and seem to be inclusive of a moderate amount of time spent enjoying the views. The hikes included have been selected to satisfy a wide variety of interests from wildlife viewing to beautiful vistas to extras such as indoor playgrounds for the kids and offer different terrains from challenging sandy hills to hardpacked (and in one case paved) trails.
Overall I've found this guide extremely helpful in discovering hiking trails in my area that I was not aware of, very descriptive of the trails and the extras that come with them (such as nature centers, monuments, etc.), and accurate in assessing degree of difficulty. This is a helpful guidebook if you are looking to explore a variety of hiking trails in Central Florida; it's a great way to get to know the area and to experience the natural beauty it has to offer.
I bought 2 books as a gift for my spouse, both for local hikes. This one is FAR more comprehensive than the other.
The book that started it all for me, is now out in second, updated edition. I've hiked over 1,808 miles since reading the first edition of this book. Sandra also has a book on North Florida hikes, a book on South Florida hikes, and several on The Florida Trail. Pick up one of her guides today and get out on the trail!
Reading her descriptions of the hikes (complete with map) was like having someone taking my hand and leading thru the wilderness. I no longer need that guiding hand, but still look to Sandra Friend for suggestions of a hike I might have missed. Whether you only want a short 1 mile hike or a rousing 8 mile ramble, it's all here so pick and choose according to your level of fitness.