A family-friendly trail long enjoyed by generations of Central Floridians, but closed for 13 years after falling into disrepair, has finally been restored and reopened for public enjoyment. The new and improved paved trail at Spring Hammock Preserve is now back, and it’s one of the easiest places in Central Florida to see huge, majestic … Continue reading Huge Cypress Trees Enchant at Spring Hammock Preserve
Author: Rob Rogers
Don’t Let Ticks Ruin Your Time Hiking and Backpacking in Florida
As a review through my recent summer posts will show, your Central Florida Backing Desk Jockey has not written much lately about backpacking and hiking, particularly backpacking in Florida. The truth is that I have not been on the trail much recently—I haven’t hiked in Florida outside a state park in several months, and I’m … Continue reading Don’t Let Ticks Ruin Your Time Hiking and Backpacking in Florida
Finding My Way Home won the 2025 FAPA President’s Bronze Medal for Autobiography/Memoir
Kara and I had a great time attending the President's Book Awards dinner on Saturday at FAPACon, the annual conference for the Florida Authors and Publishers Association, where my book, Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida, won the Bronze Medal for Autobiography/Memoir. I also had the privilege of getting to know many … Continue reading Finding My Way Home won the 2025 FAPA President’s Bronze Medal for Autobiography/Memoir
Thank you, Outdoors Unlimited, for featuring my book
I was honored to have my book, Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida, included in the "Bookshelf" section (page 28) of Outdoors Unlimited magazine's Summer 2025 issue. Outdoors Unlimited is the official magazine of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, which I joined earlier this year and which includes as members … Continue reading Thank you, Outdoors Unlimited, for featuring my book
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park near Gainesville is great for history, hiking, and horses
Anyone driving past Gainesville on I-75 will be familiar with Paynes Prairie, the huge savannah north of Micanopy that offers a panoramic break from the surrounding forests. But the state park that includes Paynes Prairie and lies just south of the University of Florida is worth a closer look. Beyond providing a sanctuary for gators … Continue reading Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park near Gainesville is great for history, hiking, and horses
If you’ve thought about paddleboarding or kayaking in Central Florida, check out King’s Landing
With summer in full blast, I’m reminded that there are no better places to cool off in Central Florida than in our region’s spring-fed rivers. My family purchased our first paddleboard two years ago for that purpose (we now own two), and our go-to spot for kayaking and paddleboarding is King’s Landing on Rock Springs … Continue reading If you’ve thought about paddleboarding or kayaking in Central Florida, check out King’s Landing
Going to Grand Teton National Park? You must hike in Cascade Canyon
Cascade Canyon Trail My family and I returned last weekend from a vacation in Montana and Wyoming and had the privilege to do several day hikes in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. If you’re lucky enough to hike in Grand Teton, you’ll likely try the popular trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point near … Continue reading Going to Grand Teton National Park? You must hike in Cascade Canyon
Check out my latest essay in Wilderness House Literary Review
I was honored to have an essay of mine titled "A Suburban Desk Jockey’s Weekend Adventure in the Green Swamp" published today in the summer issue of Wilderness House Literary Review. In this essay, I describe my first point-to-point backpacking trip last June in the Green Swamp West Tract and the Richloam Tract of the … Continue reading Check out my latest essay in Wilderness House Literary Review
If you’re looking to sail near Disney, check out Orlando Sailing
I wrote earlier this year about a great place in Sanford to learn to sail boats longer than 22 feet. But if you’re looking to try sailing on smaller boats that don’t require experience, especially if you’re looking for a place not far from Disney, I recommend checking out Orlando Sailing. I found Orlando Sailing … Continue reading If you’re looking to sail near Disney, check out Orlando Sailing
Check out my article on Go World Travel
My first-ever article in a travel magazine was published this morning in Go World Travel. Titled "Bogesundslandet Nature Reserve: Backpacking Paradise Minutes from Stockholm," it gives practical details about the nature preserve in Sweden where I backpacked last summer. This was the place also described in Chapter 12 of my book and in my recent … Continue reading Check out my article on Go World Travel
