Fall-o-Ween 2019 on the Nature Coast
The humidity is waning, and the temperature is dropping. It’s time for pumpkins, scarecrows, and outdoor celebrations. Then there is Halloween, a uniquely American… Read More
Author Archives: Diane Bedard
Diane Bedard's Articles
Paddlers Costume Parade Oct. 26 to help a Great Cause
The City of Crystal River and Hunter Springs Kayaks have partnered to bring a new event to downtown Crystal River. In conjunction with the… Read More
Crystal River Preserve State Park Boat Tours Resume
The 24-passenger vessel, Monroe, resumed normal operations from Crystal River State Park on Wednesday, October 2, 2019. Its boat tours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays… Read More
Nature Coast Butterfly Season is Back
Butterfly season is upon us! I absolutely love September’s fluttering wings, with pairs of dancing Lepidoptera all around. Butterflies are very common on Florida’s Nature… Read More
How the Withlacoochee Forest Came to Be – part 1
This article is based on and derived from Sid Taylor, Florida Forester and Historian Have you ever noticed a sign stating “Welcome to the Withlacoochee… Read More
Improving Lives with The Arc Nature Coast
In 1973, a small group of Hernando County residents sought a better way to care for the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled citizens of the area. Read More
Rescued Bear Cub to Live in Homosassa
The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Wildlife State Park is part of a cooperative effort between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and state-wide bear rehabilitation facilities. Read More
You need to Experience a Homosassa Shore Lunch
A Delicious Tradition of the Homosassa Guides Association “Members of the Homosassa Guides Association have been doing shore lunches since the 1940s at least,” says… Read More
Cruising Hernando Beach in Style
Rosa and Randy are lifetime boaters who grew up on the Weeki Wachee river. They look like they are in their fifties or so, and… Read More
Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure
I enjoy water adventures. The all-inclusive guided tours with Hunter Springs Kayaks given… Read More
Join us in Celebrating the 4th throughout the Nature Coast
In 1870, the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees, and in 1938, Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal… Read More
When is Adoption a Viable Option?
This article strays from our usual light-hearted format to a more serious subject, adoption as a viable option in an unplanned pregnancy. NatureCoaster.com has… Read More
Discovering Anclote Island’s Delights
Anclote Key State Preserve is steeped in history. French and Spanish pirates used Anclote Key to launch raids in 1682, according to researchers. There are… Read More
Discover Ozello: the Nature Coast Keys
Ozello (or as the locals pronounce it Ozelluh) can be found between Crystal River and Homosassa by turning onto Highway 494 from U.S. 19. This… Read More
Scalloping: Florida Adventure of a Lifetime
This is the five year anniversary of NatureCoaster.com. In honor of the event, we will be running two weeks of our most popular stories, beginning… Read More
Hiking the Chinsegut Hill Trail: Here’s what we Found
It was a beautiful day in May, sunny and a bit humid (but this is Florida and that’s how we roll). After a delicious lunch… Read More
Taming the Neff Lake Monster at the Spring Lake Memorial Classic May 25
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
Becoming a Magical Weeki Wachee Mermaid takes Determination and Style
Cheyenne Bragg is a real mermaid. It’s not only her job, but it is also the fulfillment of her childhood dream. “When I was a… Read More
Discover the History of Florida’s Nature Coast
“A string of counties studded with emerald-like gulf waters, deep springs and rivers, stretching along the same Florida coast” is how world-famous naturalist John Muir… Read More
2019 Nature Coast Blueberry Season is On: Get out and Pick
2019 is a great year for blueberry you pick adventures! I picked my first 3.7 pounds of the 2019 Nature Coast blueberry season Tuesday in… Read More
Helping Veterans and Homeless Dogs
With a national suicide rate for American Veterans of twenty per day, and twenty-two daily for vets with PTSD, there needs to be an intervention. Read More
Don’t Miss America’s only Loquat Festival March 23
The sixth annual Florida Loquat Festival will be held Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Frances Avenue Park (6156 Louisiana Avenue,… Read More
Art in the Park: 35 Years & Going Strong March 9-10 in Brooksville
The Hernando County Fine Arts Council, along with this year’s presenting sponsor, Raymond James Financial Inc., invites you to the 35th Annual Art in the… Read More
Discover Broad Street Market Restaurant: Fresh, Friendly and Satisfying
An unassuming storefront at 4 Broad Street in Brooksville had been catching my eye for a few months when I decided to finally stop in… Read More
Invigorating Inverness
Inverness is a charming city on Florida’s Nature Coast. With a population of about 7,000 and a thriving downtown district with many small shops and… Read More
Visiting the Chassahowitzka River: Many Manatees & a Gnome
Recently, NatureCoaster was part of an exciting adventure on the Chassahowitzka River. Hunter Springs Kayaks is a wonderful partner with NatureCoaster.com. The team there has… Read More
Have a Blast at 2019’s award-winning Brooksville Raid Reenactment
The Hernando Historical Museum Association, Inc. and North Pinellas County Scout Sertoma Club, Inc. are presenting the 39th Annual Brooksville Raid Reenactment, Jan. 19-20, 2019… Read More
The State of NatureCoasting: 2018 Wrap-up and 2019 Goals
Wow! What a great year 2018 has been for NatureCoaster.com. Thanks to each and every reader, advertiser and partner, we have become an award-winning publication… Read More
Thanksgiving Thoughts
Gratitude – noun, the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Thanksgiving is always a time to remember what… Read More
Cooking Cracker Cane Syrup
Sugar cane is a tropical perennial grass that has three main varieties – chewing, crystal and syrup. In Central Florida, the sugar cane crop is… Read More