Outdoors & Nature Insider

In 1836, soldiers from the First Georgia Battalion of Volunteers found safety from repeated Seminole Indian attacks in a makeshift fort on the shores of Lake Holathlikaha. For 16 long days and nights, 380 wounded and sick soldiers bound for Tampa held their ground under the command of Major Mark Anthony Cooper, then received supplies and joined the rest of the battalion in other battles.

Today, the property surrounding Lake Holathlikaha (Ho-lath-la-ka-ha) is known as Fort Cooper State Park, and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a great place for family gatherings, hiking on one of several trails, wildlife viewing, and it's a fantastic stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. 

I'm lucky to live just a few miles away from Fort Cooper State Park in Inverness, so this is one of my regular spots for birding. Oh, there might even be a geocache or two for you to find, as well! It's a great park full of Florida history and natural beauty. Pets are welcome (except in the playground on the beach area), and there's plenty of places for a nice bike ride - you can also connect to the Withlacoochee State Trail from here, too.

As usual, I've put my video camera to work and created a short video to give you an idea of what's going on out at Fort Cooper. Come on over to Inverness and check it out for yourself!