Discover The Backroads of Florida: 31 Unforgettable Day-Trips

Book Review

Florida is known for its massive theme parks, which is why tourists will inevitably find themselves whittling away hours on the back of a flying elephant at Walt Disney World or escaping from the goblin-run Gringotts Bank at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Orlando. 

Meanwhile, those who are unwilling to put up with endless lines of screaming children will likely be found either in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex‘s cool confines or watching the incredible marine animals at SeaWorld Orlando.

Make no mistake, while these amusement parks quickly draw in thousands of excited travelers each year, the Sunshine State has more to offer than rollercoasters and motion simulators. There are dozens of sprawling national parks, incredible lakes, and other phenomenal sights that are perfect for those looking to take a Florida road trip and experience adventures off the beaten path. 

Something Different

The book Backroads of Florida is largely considered as the perfect road trip companion for those who want to escape the cacophonous environments of Miami Beach and the state’s various theme parks. With its breathtaking photographs and compelling descriptions, this book is full of Florida road trip ideas that instantly transport readers to the Sunshine State’s beautiful landscapes, from the Panhandle to the Florida Keys. 

I never expected to like Backroads of Florida as much as I did. While it received rave reviews on both Amazon and Goodreads, I initially believed that it would be your average, run-of-the-mill Florida road trip guidebook – one that was filled with cheesy clichés, unnecessary tangents, and unhelpful tips. However, was I wrong! 

A Rich History

For starters, the amount of research that went into producing Backroads of Florida was impressive. Author Paul M. Franklin and photographer Nancy Joyce Mikula did a fantastic job of delving into Florida’s lesser-known regions, enabling their readers to experience the state’s unique offerings and one-of-a-kind history. I was particularly taken by the story of Coral Castle, a mysterious yet whimsical monument built by a Latvian immigrant named Edward Leedskalnin in honor of his lost love. 

Its story was definitely much more interesting than Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World, so I was glad that the authors took the time to include a few tidbits about its background, as well as Leedskalnin’s thought process behind its design. 

Another thing that struck me about Backroads of Florida was its incredibly descriptive passages. The writing style is, quite frankly, phenomenal, making me feel as if I was personally traversing the paths that were being described. 

Take, for instance, this paragraph on the Blowing Rocks Preserve, which is situated in  Jupiter Island in Martin County:

The beach is also unique for its long rock shelf that creates a rocks-and-surf landscape more reminiscent of Maine than Florida. The rock shelf is actually limestone formed from prehistoric shells. The constant pounding of waves has worn the rock into craggy shapes, and in places, the surf sometimes explodes through holes, hence the park’s name. 

excerpt from backroads of florida

I have honestly never read a book filled with road trip ideas as descriptive as this. It wasn’t difficult at all to visualize what the authors were trying to make their readers see, and it really felt as if I was seeing the waves crashing upon the rocks with my own two eyes. 

Seen to Be Believed

The colorful descriptions in this Florida road trip book were indeed very captivating, but these were brought to life by the stunning photographs that accompanied each piece. Not only were these images vibrant and beautifully framed, but they were also appropriately placed. It didn’t feel as if they were included just for its sake, but because they genuinely added to the story that the authors were telling. 

Without a doubt, my favorite picture was that of a pair of graceful mermaids performing acrobatics in clear blue waters. This photograph helped me better visualize the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, an underrated destination in Florida. Visitors can take a riverboat cruise and watch manatees frolicking about in their natural habitat. 

Besides the various attractions seen within the park, this Florida road trip book’s authors also took the time to explain how it was affected by the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971. Readers were also given insight into what the park was like in its heyday, with scores of mermaids flipping their tails in a bid to entice passersby. 

Incidental Ingredients

It’s the little details like these that make Backroads of Florida come alive, transforming it from a travel guidebook filled with road trip ideas into a genuine love letter to the sights and surroundings that are unfortunately overshadowed by the Sunshine State’s noisier and rowdier attractions. 

Thanks to the compelling writing style and distinct tone, I found myself reading certain chapters much slower than others simply to absorb and relish the images that the words were conjuring truly. 

For instance, among the many passages that stood out to me the most was this particular one, which describes the sights seen in Shired Island. 

Farther along, the landscape changes again, as a series of bridges carry the road across serene tidal salt marshes. One of the best ways to enjoy this road is to pull over at a wide spot and walk back along the road onto the bridges to look for herons, egrets, wood storks, and a host of other birds. This is one of the wildest and most remote areas in Florida, and if you stand quietly, the forest and marshes will soon come alive with bird calls and natural sounds.

EXCERPT FROM BACKROADS OF FLORIDA

It’s hard to pinpoint why exactly this paragraph appeals to me; but, it can’t be denied that its description of the region is powerful and vivid. 

Perhaps that is why I am drawn to it so much – if crowded amusement parks are the first things that come to mind when thinking about Florida, then it’s easy to forget about the extraordinary landscapes tucked here and there within the state.

Exceeding Expectations

To say that such sights are picturesque would be a total understatement. Not only are they stunning, but the way they simultaneously capture the rawness and subtleties of nature is incredible. Faced with such beautiful scenery, one can’t help but try to take it all in, lest they forget the minute they turn away. 

This was the exact feeling that I had while flipping through the pages of Backroads of Florida. I always knew that Florida was a gorgeous place, but I don’t think I was ever really able to comprehend just how unique its sights truly are. 

But what makes this Florida road trip book a fantastic read was that its authors were able to put the distinctive beauty of the Sunshine State into words. By describing practically every corner of the roads less traveled, they were able to transport me to the places they were talking about and spur me to visit these sites myself to see them with my own eyes. 

All in all, Backroads of Florida is an outstanding read, both for those looking for an adventure through the lesser-known regions of the Sunshine State but also for those who want to take a road trip to escape and explore Florida’s hidden gems. 

Cover Image

Photo: Unsplash

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