SoWal Book-o-the-Month Club

[TreeFrog]

Exploring Wild Northwest Florida, by Gil Nelson
Pineapple Press, Sarasota FL 1995
ISBN 1-56164-086-7

Here's a nice guide to the panhandle's outdoor natural recreation areas, with a focus on state parks, state forests, and state recreation areas.

Several introductory chapters review the origins of the panhandle's geology, the basic types of habitats, and our native flora and fauna (including the pesky coral snake that sometimes visits my storage shed ). These chapters are concise and informative and not at all academic or dry.

Each individual outdoor area has its own review, covering geography-wildlife-plants and other points of interest, facilities and fees, roads and access, etc. Included from in or near SoWal are Grayton Beach State Park, Falling Waters State Recreation Area, Pine Log State Forest, St. Andrews State Park, and Rock Bayou State Park. It's not a complete listing - missing near me are Pt. Wash. St. Forest and Deer Lake St. Pk. But it does give you a clear sense of what you'll find at each area listed.

This is great food for thought for anyone wanting to see the unspoiled panhandle. Every single listing is doable as a day trip from SoWal, if you want to get away from the beach for a while.

I got my copy from Downtown Books in Apalach. Amazon has it, too.

Feedback please, folks? I'll be happy to continue posting about other SoWal-relevent books on a regularly irregular basis.

[Miss Kitty]

I love this treefrog!!! You are our own Oprah!!! I still haven't read "The Green Empire" and left my books on the history of the area down in FL for future reading (and for our guests). This is a wonderful sowal community service!

[Mermaid]

Yes, please, tell us about the interesting books you come across. In the upcoming years I plan on spending much more time in SoWal and I'd like to do some "exploring" beyond the obvious of swimming and sunning. It would be nice to start a SoWal library of sorts.

[Miss Kitty]

Yes, please, tell us about the interesting books you come across. In the upcoming years I plan on spending much more time in SoWal and I'd like to do some "exploring" beyond the obvious of swimming and sunning. It would be nice to start a SoWal library of sorts.

Oh, the places we will go!!!!

[Mermaid]

Oh, the places we will go!!!!

True, true. It's struck in mind how you said that even though you spent five weeks in SoWal this past October, there were still things you didn't get to. It looks like we've only scratched the surface of what's available for us. Hiking and learning how to kayaak are top of my list for 2006, so TreeFrog, bring on those books!

[pk305]

Thanks TreeFrog!! Sounds perfect for my son....what a great gift idea!!
Please keep sending good ones our way!!

[FoX]

TF you're awesome!

[Jdarg]

True, true. It's struck in mind how you said that even though you spent five weeks in SoWal this past October, there were still things you didn't get to. It looks like we've only scratched the surface of what's available for us. Hiking and learning how to kayaak are top of my list for 2006, so TreeFrog, bring on those books!

Hiking is just like shopping, but you are not touching, and and you are wearing comfier shoes.

As long as you stick to the lakes for kayaking, you should do fine. If I can do it, anyone can, trust me! It is very peaceful, but great exercise. Not that i would know anything about exercise lately! :oops:

[FoX]

Hiking is just like shopping, but you are not touching, and and you are wearing comfier shoes.

I am rarely speechless.

[Jdarg]

I am rarely speechless.

You do know I am kidding. "Going Touching" is what I call going shopping.

But maybe more girls would hike if they looked at it this way!

[Miss Kitty]

You do know I am kidding. "Going Touching" is what I call going shopping.

But maybe more girls would hike if they looked at it this way!

Oh jdarg...I touch things on walks as well!!!! And I always wear comfy shoes!

[TreeFrog]

Thanks to all for the kind words. I'll add more reviews in time.

[Jdarg]

Thanks to all for the kind words. I'll add more reviews in time.

Sorry I tangentized you. :oops: I may have to get Exploring NW FL book for a late Christmas gift - for me!!

[TreeFrog]

JDARG - No apologies needed. SoWal.com/bb is "Tangents R Us". This forum lives for a good healthy thread drift.

[kurt]

Thanks to all for the kind words. I'll add more reviews in time.

That would be much appreciated.