Lumbering Lacoochee
Mr. Sam Weston wrote an article many years ago entitled, “The Death of a Forest and Town” about Centralia, Florida. This paragraph is especially poignant… Read More
Author Archives: Diane Bedard
Diane Bedard's Articles
Surviving the Nature Coast Citrus Business
Gift fruit is a term used to describe locally grown citrus that has been washed, waxed, sorted and packed for shipment to someone who doesn’t… Read More
NatureCoaster.com wins Six Excellence-in-Craft Awards
The Florida Outdoor Writers’ Association held its 2021 Conference in Venice, Florida, and hosted its Excellence-in-Craft awards on August 21. Sponsored by Visit Sarasota County… Read More
Weeki Wachee
Weeki Wachee was a city located in Hernando County, Florida, United States. It became a city in 1966, with five cabins on the property of… Read More
Expanding an Award-winning Coffee Empire
About twenty years ago, James and Heather Cook met at Johnson and Wales college. James grew up in his family’s restaurant businesses and was known… Read More
Floral City Labyrinth welcomes Visitors 24/7 since 1995
It was the early 1990s – yes, about 30 years ago – and the Floral City Garden Club completed a Xeriscape exhibition garden in front… Read More
The Adventure Coast’s Coastal Paddling Trail offers a Diverse Adventure
Kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing offer peaceful interaction with nature on the water, providing healthy exercise without getting too wet. Florida’s Adventure Coast opened the Coastal… Read More
Finding Fossils in Florida? A Peace River Adventure
In May of 2021, we embarked on an adventure to discover Florida’s ancient history with some friends. Trent Anthney, owner of… Read More
All about Captivating Crystal River
Crystal River is situated around Kings Bay, which is fed by a cluster of more than 30 springs and is designated as a first-magnitude spring… Read More
Floral City Beautification Continues with Water Fountain Donation
A Historic District is a group of buildings united by a historic feature. On December 1, 1993, the Floral City Historic District was designated as a… Read More
Leaving a Natural Legacy in the Family Tradition: Heartwood Preserve
In the late 1890s, an ambitious boy arrived in St. Pete Florida, after traveling from Minnesota with his parents. They established themselves in the area,… Read More
Come Be Our Guest: Creating the Cavallo Experience
In 2015, Philip Bomhoff combined his appreciation of Italian culture and old Florida’s tranquility in the creation of Daisy’s All-Natural Blueberry Farm. He originally named… Read More
Run the Neff Lake Monster at the Spring Lake Memorial Classic on May 29
In 2007, the idea to hold a foot race and fun run/walk in the beautiful area surrounding The Arc Nature Coast’s Neff Lake Campus was… Read More
Let’s Get Pickin’ and Grinnin’ during 2021 Blueberry Season
Picking blueberries throughout Florida’s Nature Coast is one of my favorite things to do. I look forward to April when the season starts and will… Read More
Watch out for Manatees on the Move
Please slow down and look out for manatees while boating in Florida this spring is a reminder from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission… Read More
Pigz in Z’hills BBQ & Blues Festival COVID Style to be a Smokin’ day of Fun
Drive-in or fly-in to the 11th Annual Pigz In Z’Hills BBQ and Blues Festival COVID Style at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, located at 5200 Airport Road… Read More
Discover the Dragonflies of Florida’s Nature Coast
Dragonflies fascinate me. They seem to materialize out of nowhere and then disappear again. Occasionally, I would see one land on a stick or object… Read More
34th Annual Manatee Festival returns to Crystal River March 27-28
The Florida Manatee Festival returns to downtown Crystal River on Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28. Make your plans to attend now! The Florida Manatee Festival… Read More
Discovering the Florida Trail Book Review
Discovering the Florida Trail, A Photographic Journey along the Florida National Scenic Trail by Sandra Friend and John Keatley was published in October 2020. It… Read More
Insider’s Guide to the 2021 Kumquat Festival
Kumquats are fun to eat and the word kumquat is fun to say, so it stands to reason that the Kumquat Festival March 27 in… Read More
Celebrating the Florida Mermaid Trail with its First Anniversary Festival
Have you made it to the Florida Mermaid Trail in the last year? If not, perhaps the best time to check it out is during… Read More
Chinsegut Hill Retreat Experience is Good for the Soul
Just five miles north of downtown Brooksville is a respite on a hill. A place where one can leave their troubles behind without breaking the… Read More
What’s Happening at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park?
Homosassa’s Main Spring has been attracting visitors to marvel at its clarity and biodiversity for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. This amazing piece of… Read More
Paddlesport Enthusiasts Unite in New Port Richey
The Cotee River Kayakers Club began as an informal meet-up group for kayakers who enjoy paddling in and around the Cotee River in 2020. It… Read More
2020’s Top 6 NatureCoaster Stories – and our Award Winners
2020 started off with a bang in Florida’s Nature Coast – the Manatee Festival, the Kumquat Festival, the Brooksville Raid, Blues & BBQ Festival, the… Read More
Ten Reasons to Love Florida’s Nature Coast
Here are ten reasons we have to Love Florida’s Nature Coast. 1. Beautiful Surroundings2. Small Town Charm3. Abundant Waterways, both salt and fresh4. Interacting with… Read More
Giving Thanks 2020
As 2020 winds down and families are preparing for America’s biggest holidays, I wanted to just write you some encouragement. I am recovering from a… Read More
Brewing New Port Richey’s Craft Beer Culture
According to the Brewers Association, craft brewer sales now account for more than 25% of the $116.0 billion U.S. beer market. Florida ranks fifth in… Read More
Homosassa’s Riverfront Revival – part 2
New vibes are infiltrating the waterfront on both sides of Homosassa’s bountiful River. Foodies rejoice! Plan an overnight stay to indulge in fresh seafood, live… Read More
Homosassa’s Riverfront Revival – Part 1
With a world-renown fishing reputation, Old Homosassa has been a favorite vacation spot since the 1800s. Resorts and RV parks spring up over the years,… Read More