Adventure Updates

Hello everyone I hope that you are doing well, it’s nice to have you here! I appreciate you following my blog and videos. I have been away from here for awhile and hadn’t wrote any updates so I wanted to check in to report on some news and things going on with my adventures and the website.

As usual I have been working hard each week on recording videos and producing content for my YouTube channel. I hope you have been able to keep up with the adventures and that you have been enjoying them, I truly appreciate it! Since the start of the pandemic I told myself that I would do my best to put my all into these adventures and make these videos to the best of my ability more than ever I had before. I felt like I have grown a lot since then in my work but it’s never really done, there is always more to be do. More exploring, more paths to take and interesting sites to discover.

I hadn’t been putting as much attention into my weekly blog posts as my weekly videos so I’ve been working on updating my website here lately and wanted to let you know that more content is coming very soon. I am excited to share so many adventures here, my goal is to provide a central hub not only for my video work but all the various things that come along with my adventuring. I want it to be interactive and a way for you to get inspired as well and hopefully can find some of these interesting places in nature I am sharing about. Whether if it’s in Florida or in the area you live. It is important to visit and cherish the wild and public lands while they’ll still exist. Many places are becoming developed and critical natural habitats along with the history are being destroyed. The more we can enjoy and share about them, the more hopefully people will appreciate them.

Some of the projects I am working towards is an updated version of my Florida Trailblazer podcast, which will highlight some of the behind scenes stuff, documenting maps and discussions about my adventures. It will be something that will evolve in time and I am looking forward to sharing it with you. I will be updating some of my older posts here and as mentioned previously posting new articles weekly about my hikes and projects. I am also posting a lot of behind the scenes, exclusive content, maps and much more as well on my Patreon page (Florida Trailblazer Plus) so by signing up there you can gain access to bonus stuff and even tour opportunities. It all helps go a long way in aiding these adventures and projects so I truly appreciate it! I have been adding more items to my online store so if you are interesting in purchasing some Florida Trailblazer merchandise check it out there. I have more updates coming soon so stay tuned. Keep up to date by checking my YouTube channel weekly for new videos and here at the website for updates as well.

I posted some videos below of my recent adventures, enjoy and I wish you the very best and thank you! I’ll see you in the wilderness…

Williford Spring in Washington County

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Williford Spring

I explored some areas at Econfina Creek Water Management Area located in Washington County. There are many scenic places along with some interesting history as well. One of the areas I visited was a spring located off of Econfina Creek known as Williford Spring. The entrance is just off of a forest road there with a parking area and boardwalk trails that lead to the spring. You can also check out the creek and a trail that leads to nearby Pitt Spring.

Along the boardwalk are some nice interpretive signs describing about the spring and the history of the area ~ “During the 1800’s William Gainer and his family moved from Augusta, Georgia to this area near the spring. He first visited this spring in 1818 when he was a scout for Andrew Jackson who lead an army of 1,100 men through this area on their way to capture Pensacola from the Spanish. Gainer was a mathematician and surveyor and eventually moved here around 1824. His family used the spring as a source of drinking water and for cold storage for their food. William Gainer died in 1870 but left a lasting legacy here as he helped start the local public school system and served the county as a surveyor. The largest spring on the creek known as Gainer Spring is named after him.”

My Video

Williford Spring at Econfina Creek Water Management Area

Resources

Williford Spring at Econfina Water Management Area

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Entrance to Spring

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Williford Spring

The Hampton Springs Hotel Site in Taylor County

Hampton Springs Hotel

Hampton Springs Hotel

Just outside of Perry is the old Hampton Springs Hotel Site. The history I learned about on this place is that an early Taylor County settler whose wife suffered from rheumatism, was directed by an Indian to these springs. When the water eased her pain and stiffness, Hampton obtained a government grant to the spring area. Although I am not sure how accurate that story is…

Benjamin W. and Joseph L. Hampton did purchase the land for $400 from John and Ana Carlton in 1879. The Hamptons eventually formed the Hampton Springs Hotel and Mineral Company. In 1908 the first part of the hotel was built and had a two story structure with about 70 rooms. The sulphuric spring bubbled up into an indoor swimming pool and the overflow was channeled back into the river. The hotel expanded in 1915 and had all the trappings of a luxury resort. People from all around came here to experience the “healing” waters of this spring.

The hotel eventually burned down in 1954 and was the area was abandoned. Today it is now a park where some of the ruins are still visible and the spring still flows into the pool. It is a great place to visit to take in some history and there are even some nice nature trails around the area to explore.

My Video

The Historic Hampton Springs Hotel Ruins in Taylor County

Resources

Hampton Springs Historical Information

Hampton Springs on Ghost Towns of Florida by Mike Woodfin

Old Photo of Hampton Springs Hotel on Florida Memory

Old Photo of Hampton Springs Bath House on Florida Memory

Hampton Springs Hotel on Florida Memory

Location: Exploring at Hampton Springs

Hampton Springs Hotel Ruins

Hampton Springs Hotel Ruins

Hampton Spring

Hampton Spring

Hampton Spring

Hampton Spring

Old Pool at Hampton Springs

Old Pool at Hampton Springs

Old Pool at Hampton Springs

Old Pool at Hampton Springs

Hampton Springs

Hampton Springs

Foundation at Hampton Springs Hotel Site

Foundation at Hampton Springs Hotel Site

Ruins at Hampton Springs Hotel Site

Ruins at Hampton Springs Hotel Site

Hampton Spring

Hampton Spring

Hampton Spring

Hampton Spring

Hampton Springs Hotel Site

Hampton Springs Hotel Site

Hampton Springs Hotel Ruins

Hampton Springs Hotel Ruins

Old Pool at Hampton Springs

Old Pool at Hampton Springs