Hidden in the Florida panhandle are a number of not so well known places to visit, and so was the case when we were heading towards the city of Pensacola just a few months ago.
It was mid morning and no specific plans for the day had been hatched when we came across a sign for Adventures Unlimited just off US87 about ten miles north of Milton. The scenery in this part of Florida is quite stunning with a heady mixture of thick forest and fast flowing rivers so we decided to stop off and sample the delights of the area, and in particular, Adventures Unlimited.
As the name suggests this is an Outdoor Center that provides a range of water based and climbing activities and caters not only for the one day visitor but also offers fully fledged family vacations in either lodges or tents. Additionally there are a number of corporate programmes aimed at improving company team building.
It was a hot day so after buying a little refreshment from the small concession store we plumped for a river trip, choosing a canoe over the other options of tube and kayak.
This really was an idyllic couple of hours as the swift flowing waters propelled us on our passage through the Blackwater River State Park where an abundance of wildlife was on view at every turn.
The water was crystal clear and the banks of the river provided huge cushions of pristine white sand that seemed to be inviting us to break our journey and laze awhile in the dappled sunlight coming through the extensive forest canopy.
This seem too good an opportunity to miss, so we spent a relaxing half hour by the river bank enjoying our sandwiches and watching a few children having a wonderful time cooling off in the water. At no point could the river have been more than three feet deep so it was ideal for splashing about and swimming. Unfortunately, we hadn’t brought our costumes along so were restricted to a sedate paddle to cool our feet.
The cost of the trip was $25 per person but although we spent just two hours on the river there are no time restrictions and visitors can spend the whole day exploring up to fifteen miles of navigable waterway, if they wish.
Away from the highways and byways this is a serene hideaway that aids immediate relaxation and is well worth contemplating if ever you find yourself in this part of an unspoilt region of northern Florida.
It was mid morning and no specific plans for the day had been hatched when we came across a sign for Adventures Unlimited just off US87 about ten miles north of Milton. The scenery in this part of Florida is quite stunning with a heady mixture of thick forest and fast flowing rivers so we decided to stop off and sample the delights of the area, and in particular, Adventures Unlimited.
As the name suggests this is an Outdoor Center that provides a range of water based and climbing activities and caters not only for the one day visitor but also offers fully fledged family vacations in either lodges or tents. Additionally there are a number of corporate programmes aimed at improving company team building.
It was a hot day so after buying a little refreshment from the small concession store we plumped for a river trip, choosing a canoe over the other options of tube and kayak.
This really was an idyllic couple of hours as the swift flowing waters propelled us on our passage through the Blackwater River State Park where an abundance of wildlife was on view at every turn.
The water was crystal clear and the banks of the river provided huge cushions of pristine white sand that seemed to be inviting us to break our journey and laze awhile in the dappled sunlight coming through the extensive forest canopy.
This seem too good an opportunity to miss, so we spent a relaxing half hour by the river bank enjoying our sandwiches and watching a few children having a wonderful time cooling off in the water. At no point could the river have been more than three feet deep so it was ideal for splashing about and swimming. Unfortunately, we hadn’t brought our costumes along so were restricted to a sedate paddle to cool our feet.
The cost of the trip was $25 per person but although we spent just two hours on the river there are no time restrictions and visitors can spend the whole day exploring up to fifteen miles of navigable waterway, if they wish.
Away from the highways and byways this is a serene hideaway that aids immediate relaxation and is well worth contemplating if ever you find yourself in this part of an unspoilt region of northern Florida.