CedarKeyHiker

The often mentioned quote from John Muir "throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and hop over the back fence" resonates here in Cedar Key. Many have heard of Muir's thousand mile walk to the sea but few know it ended on our small island on Florida's west coast. Muir spent some time here recuperating from malaria before moving on to California. He's not the only one to find our secluded piece of paradise. Jimmy Buffett mentioned Cedar Key in his song "Incommunicado" as the place where author John MacDonald's adventurous and fictional Travis McGee has allegedly set down roots.

A palpable spirit of adventure greets visitors when they cross the Number Four bridge. The inviting smell of the salt air of the Gulf of Mexico mixed with the mud at low tide in the oyster encrusted shallows that surround the islands that make up the town of Cedar Key is unlike anywhere else in the Sunshine State. Interstates, theme parks, and massive subdivisions of transplanted retirees from colder states are miles and miles away. It's easy to see why Travis McGee is still here.

It's been over a decade since Cedar Key became our family's home and the base for numerous adventures. We chose to move here from the Tampa Bay area because it has become one of the rare places that can truly boast of being the "Real Florida." It's from here that we'll take on the newest adventure; section hiking the AT from Springer Mountain the Harpers Ferry. John Muir would be pleased that we've chosen to climb over the back fence and take up the challenge...Stay tuned!!!