By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors
Haw Creek Preserve Haw Creek Preserve state park popped up on a map I was looking at, and I had never heard of it before. It was a Monday, and all of us were home for the day, which was quite unusual. I suggested we pile in the car, head to Bunnell, and check it […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors
How do I Plan a Family Camping Trip? Camping takes as much planning as any fun family vacation, especially if you have kids. In fact, for a camping trip to go well, it might even take more planning because you have to consider so much about the trip to ensure that everyone has a safe […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors
Kayaking in St. Johns River St. Johns River starts as a marsh in Indian River County and ends up flowing into the Atlantic ocean in Duval County. I have spent many years on a boat enjoying this river. My great-grandparents used to fish in this river too. As a native Floridian, I grab any chance […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors
Ravine Gardens State Park A visit to Florida must include Ravine Gardens State Park. Ravine Gardens is located in Palatka, Florida. Back then, Palatka was a hub of action in the 1800’s during the steamboat era. The city of Palatka and the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933 created Ravine Gardens. Known for its architectural structures […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors
De Leon Springs State Park De Leon Springs is a must on a family vacation to Florida. There is something for all ages in the family, especially kids. Planning ahead will help you enjoy your day of beauty, history, and a natural Florida paradise. Located in Volusia County, not far from historic Deland. Upon arrival, […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings made her home in Cross Creek, Florida. This historic state park homestead has been preserved just as it was when she was living there in the 1930s. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings lived at Cross Creek for 25 years and wrote many of her award-winning literature pieces while […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Great Outdoors , Recipes
How to make the best s’mores Our family loves smores all year long, in small doses. There is something magical about a fire in a fireplace or in your backyard that beckons the squishy marshmallow to be plunged into it. I classify s’mores as a life skill for several reasons. No matter where you live, […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Florida , florida vacations , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
What is the purpose of a nature walk? Having a natural curiosity to explore the world around us is what makes us human. Having the tools to explore makes it more interesting and easier to do. Create your own family nature kit. Fill it with items that will help you learn more about what interests […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
During the rainy season, we always find the most interesting mushrooms growing right in our backyard. Going on a mushroom hunt can be a fun project. Mushrooms belong to the kingdom classification, Fungi, which is separate from plants. Earning its Keep Fungi are an amazing part of the decomposition and recycling process in the earth. […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors
Florida Heritage Outdoor Sports It was the fall of 1978. At 4 am, the bells began ringing on my grandfather’s wind-up alarm clock. I had slept in my clothes to prepare for the fishing trip. It was quiet and still in darkness as we loaded the nets, buckets, and coolers into the truck. We were […]
Continue reading