The Birthplace of Volusia County: A Hidden Story Beside the St. Johns River

Historic bronze marker identifying the Birthplace of Volusia County mounted beneath a weathered oak tree beside the St. Johns River in Volusia, Florida.

Sometimes the best discoveries aren’t on the itinerary—they’re the ones you almost drive past. I almost missed this stop. Just after crossing the St. Johns River, a small green historical marker caught the corner of my eye. By the time I realized what I’d seen, I was already past it. If you’ve followed Travel Made … Read more

San Felasco Hammock: The Lost Mission We Couldn’t Reach (Yet)

Entrance sign for San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park in Gainesville, Florida, standing in front of dense hardwood forest with caution tape visible near the trail area.

Some stops give you sweeping trails, long hikes, and hours of wandering.Others give you a sign, some caution tape, and a quiet reminder that history doesn’t owe us access on demand. Our final stop of Alabama Road Trip #2 brought us to San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park—a park we added for one simple reason: … Read more