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NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

If you're looking for a taste of the Florida found in movies such as The Yearling and Ulee's Gold, North Central Florida is the place to go. The area, home to horse farms, gently rolling hills and a national forest isn't a huge tourist attraction, which makes it even better for the few who wander off the beaten path to find it. Among its attractions are the University of Florida in Gainesville; the Silver Springs amusement park, where you can take a glass-bottom boat tour of the Silver River; and the small town of Micanopy, a postcard-pretty piece of Florida complete with cracker homes and enormous live oaks dripping with Spanish moss (Doc Hollywood was filmed here.) Outdoor enthusiasts have all of Ocala National Forest to explore, including the 65-mile Florida Scenic Trail.

IF YOU GO

Getting there: Although Ocala does have a regional airport, the only way to fly into it is if you're a horse, as it doesn't handle commercial aviation. If you fly into Orlando International Airport, take I-75 north to SR-40 (exit 352), then go east into Ocala. To drive there, take the Florida Turnpike north until it turns into I-75. Once you get to SR-40, go east into Ocala.

For more information: Ocala Hotels and Visitors Information 800-396-1885. On the Web: www.ocalahotels.com.

USEFUL LINKS

Ocala National Forest

Florida's Silver Springs

Fred Bear Archery and Museum, Gainesville

Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park

Weather: Current conditions and five-day forecast for Ocala.

October 19, 2003

Gainesville's Steel Magnolia

When innkeepers Cindy and Joe Montaldo purchased what is now known as the Magnolia Plantation, the main building was a kind of "Animal House" hippie hangout, a near derelict in the neighborhood of Gainesville's historic homes. That was in 1990.

July 6, 2003

Railroad boarding house now a fine B&B in High Springs

I missed the 58th Annual Watermelon Festival in Newberry a couple of weeks ago, spending more time than I planned in the neighboring Alachua County town of High Springs.

May 15, 2003

Florida's springs: Weekend getaways that are literally cool

No matter how far you drive in Florida, chances are, you won't go far enough to find a place with cooler temperatures.

Statehood backer built Quincy home

For a fascinating introduction to the rich history of Florida, Quincy is a good place to start. Founded in 1825 and named for U.S. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, it is the administrative center of Gadsden County, which is named for the Charlestonian who was aide-de-camp to General Andy Jackson during his notorious 1818 Florida campaign ending the First Seminole War and the Spanish era in Florida. Adams was the only cabinet member to support Jackson.

April 21, 2002

Azalea house in full bloom in Palatka

Crab lovers unite! Grab your mallets, picks and prepare to paddle your way to the 14th Annual Blue Crab Festival in Palatka on Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27. Palatka is in Putnam County, about halfway between St. Augustine and Gainesville. The sleepy little town is proud to call itself the Bass Capital of the World.

Escape hustle-bustle in lovely Mount Dora

If you're yearning for a time-warp weekend free of theme parks and other excesses of modern-day living, think about an escape to the New England of Florida, the antique capital as well as the rose capital of Central Florida. Think Mount Dora.

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

IF YOU GO

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