Christa Thompson Alexander Springs has always been tops on my list of things to do in the Ocala National Forest. It's one among many of Florida's crystalline springs, where locals and visitors gather to enjoy its many offerings of eco-adventure…
Read MoreBy Dalia Colon Where: Centered in Ocala National Forest, between Ormond Beach to the east and Silver Springs to the west. Length: 123 miles. How to get around: Car, off-road vehicle or mountain bike. Best time to visit: Winter. The mild weather is ideal for hiking, kayaking and camping. Fun fact:…
Read MoreDiscover the secret world behind the gates of the most prestigious Ocala horse farms. By Lauren Tjaden The three young horses formed a semi-circle around me, leaning against the fence separating us. A bay colt pressed his whiskers into my ear, tickling me until I giggled…
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By Judy Wells Adults can indulge their equestrian fantasies and kids will find plenty of opportunities to horse around – even fingerpainting, with a pony as the canvas – with all of the horseback riding Ocala, FL offers. Rosalita's ears twitch forward; she knows what's coming, the highlight of the…
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By Michelle Bearden It’s a sight to delight every equine lover: A sturdy black-and-white spotted mare with a flowing Beyoncé-like mane and feathered legs cantering gracefully across a verdant field. “Prettiest horse ever,” said Dennis Thompson, owner of Gypsy Gold Horse Farm in Ocala, now open…
Read MoreBy Saundra Amrhein As you approach the rural central Florida city of Ocala, it’s easy to see why this is known as the “Horse Capital of the World.” For miles, brown and white board fences enclose squares of green pastures. Well-built barns abound. And the sleek, muscular animals themselves graze…
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Long ago abandoned by limestone miners, the quarry is a breathtaking venue for a swing through the trees. Ocala – It's a bold move, calling your attraction "the Canyons" in a flat state like Florida. But this strange find, a 94-acre abandoned limestone quarry off an Interstate 75 exit in Ocala, is…
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By Michelle Bearden It’s called the Florida Horse Park, a 500-acre jewel in Marion County’s Ocala, right in the heart of Central Florida. But don’t let the name fool you. It’s much more than that…
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Enjoy the great outdoors with all the amenities of the great indoors along for the ride. After years of tent camping through unique Florida trails, my wife and I are now proud RV owners. If you've never been RVing, we promise you're in for a real treat. The beauty of RVing is that you get to…
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For a glorious, relaxing kayak trip you can’t beat Juniper Run National Forest in Ocala, sited in North Central Florida. Heralded as one of the top 25 canoe runs in America by ReserveAmerica, this paddling trip promises gin-clear water that meanders under a dense canopy of old-growth forest. The…
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