Suwannee River Valley Experience
By Suzanne Moses
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A couple enjoy the beauty of the Suwannee River Credit K. Walls |
Traveling the roads on a limited budget, I've always been a last minute get on the road kind of person making plans "on the fly" and seeking the experience of the travel, not necessarily the attractions and destinations that would give me status among my co-workers. In today's ever evolving global society with information at lighting electronic means, the overwhelming abundance of products on the shelves, how overwhelming to me it is to go to the grocery store, answer all my emails, take all my cell phone calls, much less take a break to travel leisurely down the road looking for someplace special, someplace unique, from hotels, restaurants shops, products, a true genuine American quality that is so hard to find.
How sweet it is after years in a metropolitan city to be plopped in to the Suwannee River Valley in Northern Florida. The Center of it all is Lake City, known for years as "I-75's favorite stopover." Where travelers stop to rest going in and out of Florida to metropolitan destinations unknown, little knowing they are in an incredible place that offers so much of true American roots, it is astounding this gem is so little known.
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Spirit of The Suwannee Music Park
Craft Village
Credit K. Walls |
Entering the Suwannee River Valley, at I-75,
Exit 439, is the Stephen Foster Cultural State Park, floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster where Genuinely American cultural activities, music workshops, and festivals occur all year round. You only have to consult their easy access calendar on the web to find something any weekend or weekday you stop.
I-75, Exit 451 provides easy access to Concerts and Music Festivals at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park www.musicliveshere.com. From Willie Nelson to their Suwannee River Jam Genuine American Music is just a short drive away year round.
Further down the road on the south side of Lake City, I -75, Exit 423 is Ichetucknee Springs State Park, www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings a natural Landmark of the Department of Interior. 6 miles of tubing, nature walks and an unbelievably pristine protected waters. You can also canoe, cave di ve, bicyle ride, snorkel and gain unbelievably American natural experience at a very low cost. This park is one of the best examples of why this area is truly 100% natural, all organic and made fresh daily in the US state of Florida.
And food, there are plenty national restaurants in the area, but I like to remain at Exit 423 and go to where the Lake City locals eat, where the locals prepare your food. Places such as Phish Heads, Ken's Barbeque and the Porterhouse grill. If you need exact directions, stop by the Lake City Super 8 www.americanmotelonline.com for some coffee or free ice cream at the exit where genuine American Quality Service is on the top of the list to all who stop by. ( Needless to say, I am a little partial to this to this hotel , being the on-site Manager).
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Cooking over a campfire on the Suwannee
Credit redneckpepper.com
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And gifts, when in the Suwannee River Valley area, be sure to ask for and buy some Red Neck Pepper. You can find them on the web at www.RedNeckPepper.com. Born one late cold evening while camping on the Suwannee River the originator, Bobby Luv cooked a mild pot of chili and the mayor at the time, not wanting to be outdone, declared he did not want to be deemed a sissy – how much more American can you get? All natural eveloped and manufactured even down to the packaging in Lake City . Just ask at any attraction and secure a low-cost gift to share the experience of where you've been .
You can travel or you can Genuine American Quality travel. I prefer the later. Regardless of where or when you travel – do Travel Safe. And , when you find yourself on I nterstate 75 rushing quickly in and out of Florida on I-75, take some time to stop and linger a while in the Suwannee River Valley or possibly plan a trip just to there. You just may be surprised as I am as to what you find.
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