floridatrailblazer

Hillsborough River State Park is a great place to enjoy trails, nature, wildlife and history along the Hillsborough River. On this hike I journey along parts of the Bayard and Seminole Trail just across the suspension bridge over the river here at the park.

While visiting the nation's oldest city, St. Augustine in Florida I really enjoyed exploring Castillo de San Marcos. The oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. and a National Monument, the Castillo is the focal point of historical St. Augustine. Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route. Construction began on the Castillo de San Marcos in 1672 and lasted 23 years, until 1695. Construction began on the Castillo de San Marcos in 1672 and lasted 23 years, until 1695. Many Spanish forts preceded the Castillo, however, this one made of coquina was impenetrable to enemy attack and was fire resistant. The fort came under fire for the first time in 1702. British forces, led by General Moore, burned the city but could not penetrate the Castillo's walls. Subsequent attacks in 1728 and 1740 yielded similar results, and the British were never able to take the city of St. Augustine by force. In 1763 Florida became a British colony with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, thus beginning a 20-year period of English rule. The Castillo was used as a military prison during the Revolutionary War. At the end of the Revolutionary War, Florida was returned to Spain in 1784 until Florida became a United States Territory in 1821. The Americans called the Castillo Fort Marion, honoring the revolutionary patriot from the Carolinas, General Frances Marion. The U.S. Government used Fort Marion as a prison for Native Americans in the late 1800s. Natives from both Florida and the Great Plains were held at the fort during this time. The fort was officially taken off the active list of fortifications in 1900 and it was preserved and recognized as a National Monument in 1924.

Take a journey along the Fort King Trail in Florida, a trail that has been traveled for many centuries. During the 1800's it was used in the Seminole Indian Wars and connected several military forts, including Fort King in Ocala located in Marion County. Today the fort has been reconstructed and there is a nice museum to visit there as well where you can learn a lot on the history of the area and trail. The trail was once used by Hernando de Soto and his expedition in Florida in the 1500's. Long before then it was part of an Indian trail. It is amazing to walk on parts of this today and get a sense of the history here. I posted some helpful links below about the history and trail. Thank you for watching and enjoy! Fort King Historical Landmark in Ocala, Florida https://www.trailoffloridasindianheritage.org/fort-king This section of the trail starts here in Hillsborough County, Florida https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/john-b-sargeant-park Consider contributing to Florida Trailblazer: Donate on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/floridatrailblazer Donate on Venmo: https://venmo.com/floridatrailblazer Donate on PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/floridatrailblazer Florida Trailblazer Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/florida-trailblazer

Part two of my adventure with fellow explorer and friend 21st Century Expeditionist. We canoe and explore several ancient Indian mounds along the Withlacoochee River. Enjoy the adventure and thanks for watching! According to the documentation of the Hernando de Soto expedition in 1539, a tribe of Indians called the Ocale inhabited sections of the Withlacoochee River. The Withlacoochee River is a Florida waterway that flows north and is approximately 141 miles long. Not much is known about the inland indigenous peoples of Flordia. By the early 1700's most of the indigenous people of Florida went into extinction through disease, warfare, and subjection to European conquest.

Exploring along the parts of the Withlacoochee River, discovering some interesting Oak trees and an ancient Native American Indian shell midden as well. I enjoyed exploring these forests, such a beautiful place and seeing traces from the past...

Journey with me on this adventure to old Cypress tree still standing along the banks of the Withlacoochee River in central, Florida. Long ago many Cypress trees covered the Florida swamps that were hundreds and thousands of years old but were logged out. Some can still be seen such as this tree. Enjoy the adventure! Consider contributing to Florida Trailblazer: Donate on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/floridatrailblazer Donate on Venmo: https://venmo.com/floridatrailblazer Donate on PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/floridatrailblazer Florida Trailblazer Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/florida-trailblazer

On this adventure I journey into the wilderness while a tropical storm approaches the area. These storms are hard to know the direction they will turn at times. When I started the hike the storm was miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. It then shifted eastward back towards Florida. Rain and wind bands began coming through the area I was exploring. Luckily I was able to get out the woods safely before the severe parts of the storm hit but was one of those moments where you know nature is warning you and you rely on instinct. I wanted to make this video to share about some of my experiences while hiking and some of the unpredictable Florida weather we get during storm season here in the state. Always plan ahead, check weather conditions best to your ability. Know when to turn back or find shelter. Enjoy the adventure and history along the way! Consider contributing to Florida Trailblazer: Donate on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/floridatrailblazer Donate on Venmo: https://venmo.com/floridatrailblazer Donate on PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/floridatrailblazer Florida Trailblazer Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/florida-trailblazer