2015-05-03: Geocaching in Sumter County Florida

For today's adventure, we decided to drive west over to Sumter County, Florida. After driving up the Florida Turnpike and exiting onto State Road 50, our first stop was the Cracker Barrel in Clermont for a big breakfast! Then we continued west into Sumter County.

We then turned north onto US-301 and started Geocaching along the way. A few miles up the road was an undeveloped community that came to a halt during the real estate bust. There were 7 caches hidden among the pot holed roads and overgrown lots.

After that we continued west on Hwy 50 a few miles over to Withlacoochee Trail State Park. Instead of taking the paved trail, we took the Ridge Manor Trail Head into the woods. We hiked about a mile and found three caches, but wasn't much in a hiking mood. So we decided to return here another day and continued our drive.

We made our way over to CR-673 and completed the SKP power run of caches. We found 37 caches in total, saw a lot of ranches and pastures, and just enjoyed the day.

2014-12-14: Roaming Around Sumter County, FL

Today was another day to be outside enjoying the fresh air, Geocaching, and exploring new areas. Yesterday we went south. As usual and with no particular destination in mind, we jump on the Turnpike heading north getting off on Hwy 50 and head west. We drove all the way out to Sumter County, caching through Tarrytown, Webster, Center Hill and Bushnell. It a nice drive up through there with a lot of oak lined roadways.

Then we came across the Dade Battlefield Historic State Park. On December 28, 1835, Indian warriors ambushed 108 U.S. soldiers at this site, and only three soldiers survived. This ambush started the Second Seminole War. Within the 80-acre park is a hiking trail, natural Florida landscaping, and a few memorials.

Passing underneath I-75 to the west, we found the Florida National Cemetery. And we like Geocaching in cemeteries because of the history there. Though we're not used to seeing all the headstones of the same size and lined up in perfect rows.

Also nearby and even more interesting was the Wild Cow Prairie Cemetery. Not much is known on the history of this Cemetery, but the graves date back to the early 1800's.

A few more caches later and we decided to call it a day and head on home. It was another great day of exploring the back country roads and small towns of Florida.