Q: What is there to do in Seminole County for sightseeing or just fun? We have lived here for 3 months and would like to find something cheap and fun. -- Kathy

A: Well, Kathy, I figure that because you're writing to EcoFlorida, you're looking for nature-oriented fun. And there's a lot of that!

There are plenty of natural areas to explore in Seminole County. (For the unaware, that's northeast of Orlando.)

First, you have large lakes Monroe, Jessup and Harney, which are connected by the St. Johns River. If you don't have a boat, your family can get a simple canoe or rowboat rather inexpensively and spend time out on the water. Or you can catch a Central Florida boat tour, such as one offered by Spotted Tail Guided Outdoors Adventures on the Econlockhatchee River in the Chuluota/Oviedo area.

Speaking of the Econlockhatchee, check out Little Big Econ State Forest, a place profiled in our fall 2001 issue. Entrance to most state forests is free.

Florida state park fees are very low -- you generally can get a carload of people in for about $3 -- and there's a lot to do there. Visit nearby Wekiwa Springs State Park west of Altamonte Springs. You can splash and play in the springs, paddle down the spring run, have a picnic or hike down the trails.

At Seminole Ranch Conservation Area near Orlando Wilderness Park, you'll find trails, places to camp and some good bird watching. This large conservation area borders Little Big Econ State Forest, Tosohatchee State Reserve and other conservation areas.

You'll find a lot of Seminole County Outdoors Adventures listed on the Seminole County Convention and Visitor's Bureau site.

And when you're ready to explore other parts of the state, come back and poke around the EcoFlorida Web site for more places to go!

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