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Trails & Travel

Travel to Explore the Outdoors

  • Trips
    • Cruising
    • Dining
    • Gardens
    • Family Travel
    • Lodging
    • National Parks
    • Scenic Drives
    • Shopping
    • State Parks
  • Treks
    • Hiking
      • Appalachian Trail
      • Florida Trail
      • North Country Trail
    • Biking
    • Paddling
  • Tours
    • Boat Tours
    • Historic Sites
    • Museums
  • Thoughts
    • On Travel
    • On Writing
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  • Moments
  • Journeys
  • Books

Main Content

Travel meets the Outdoors

Sandra Friend and John KeatleyHi, we’re Sandra Friend and John Keatley, the award-winning creators of Florida Hikes! We’ve authored more than 40 books and wandered the world looking for natural beauty and a sense of place. We believe that travel can be easy and is good for the soul.
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Surprised by Stony Brook

Surprised by Stony Brook

Key West by Ferry

Key West by Ferry

Tuneup at Ford’s Garage

Tuneup at Ford’s Garage

Stingrays in Antigua

Stingrays in Antigua

Explorer's Guide North Florida Panhandle
New Edition

Explorer’s Guide:
North Florida & The Panhandle

By Sandra Friend & John Keatley

Discover the quiet side of Florida and a heaping helping of natural wonders in our new guide to the best activities, destinations, lodging, and dining throughout North Florida and the Florida Panhandle.

Learn More

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail Guide

By Sandra Friend & John Keatley

Our award-winning guide to the Florida National Scenic Trail provides comprehensive end-to-end coverage of more than 1,400 miles of hiking in Florida, a must-have for planning your hike. 356 pages, 106 maps.

Learn More

Favorite Destinations

We love the outdoors, and we love travel. Our favorite destinations are where they intersect. Among them is our 1,400-mile National Scenic Trail in our home state, the Florida Trail

Quick Guide

Birding
Biking
Camping
Hiking
Paddling
National Parks
National Forests
Public Gardens
State Parks
Wildlife Refuges

Quirky Favorites

John’s a car guy. Sandra loves geology and plants. We enjoy climbing lighthouses and finding quirky places to eat, shop, and stay.

Botanical Wonders . Geologic Sites . Lighthouses . Minerals . Vintage Vehicles
Dining . Lodging . Shopping

Journeys

Sandra and John in Hood River Oregon

Travel is a journey through life. We savor the moments as we go. Follow our journeys to inspire your own.

Where we’ve been

Where we've beenOur travels throughout the United States: 44 states so far. Worldwide, we’ve been to every continent except Antarctica and Australia, 18 countries in all.

Antigua Awakens

Antigua Awakens

The Road to Saltville

The Road to Saltville

Riding the Royal Shenandoah Greenway

Riding the Royal Shenandoah Greenway

Slowing the Mind

Slowing the Mind

See Rock City!

See Rock City!

Anishinaabe Shores

Anishinaabe Shores

Mission Relaxation

Mission Relaxation

Circling Mackinac Island

Circling Mackinac Island

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Follow our travels on Instagram

  • Memorials and artifacts at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia, including a cabin that General Patton once used. On the grounds of Fort Benning, this extensive museum and its grounds are free to visit.
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@infantrymuseum @columbusgeorgia #warmemorials #fallensoldiers #militaryhistory #usmilitary @fort_benning
  • Enjoying the artistry of Chef Henry Christian at the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon in Key West. First time we’ve ever had a meal prepared like this right in front of our eyes at the bar. Margarita, anyone?
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@thefloridakeys @smokintuna #keywesteats #keywestbars #freshfoodfast #duvalstreet
  • One of the mushroom houses of Charlevoix, Michigan. While they look like giant gnome homes, these 1920s stone and wood creations by self-taught architect Earl Young were designed to blend into the landscape along Lake Michigan. 26 were built and all remain treasured homes to this day. You can view them on a walking or driving tour of this lakefront town, or even rent one for a vacation stay.
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@visit_charlevoix #mushroomhome #earlyoung #naturearchitecture #lakemichigan @puremichigan #visitcharlevoix
  • Enjoying our favorite restaurant for Valentine’s Day, complete with a very special sweethearts cherry almond cheesecake to share. Award-winning Cedar’s Cafe in Melbourne is our go-to for special occasions and whenever we have a hankering for Middle Eastern delights. .
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@floridaspacecoast #cedarscafe #melbourneflorida @cedarscafe #amazingfood
  • A beautiful, meditative spot for a veterans’ memorial, cradled in a bowl between colorful forests on the hills above downtown Portland, Oregon in Hoyt Arboretum.
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@hoytarboretum @travelportland #vietnamveteransmemorial #veteransmemorial #fallcolor #washingtonpark #portlandoregon

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