Circle the Center With New Travel Guidebook About Florida’s Labyrinth

The Labyrinth at the Unity Church in Venice, Fla.
Labyrinth in the Peace Park at First Congregational United Church of Christ.
Labyrinth in the Peace Park at First Congregational United Church of Christ.

Those who love Florida and venturing off-the-beaten path will be thrilled with the new travel guidebook by award-winning author Lucy Tobias. Titled Circle the Center: Labyrinths in Florida, Lucy traveled throughout Florida and either walked or contacted more than 130 labyrinths and selected 95 for the book. She walked most solo but sometimes her adorable corgi Obi joined her.

First Time Walking a Labyrinth With My Dog
Yes, some labyrinths are dog-friendly and I had the experience of walking one with my dog Radcliff. Adopting a dog, I envisioned road tripping through the Sunshine State having magical experiences. I pictured a dog who could keep up with me and my thirst for adventure. Well, things haven’t quite worked out that way because of his Myasthenia gravis and he can’t walk very far before resting but we make the best of it.

During a business trip to Ocala and looking for dog-friendly things to do, I found the Labyrinth in the Peace Park at First Congregational United Church of Christ. If you have never walked a labyrinth, it’s not necessarily a maze but a pathway leading to the center of the circle. I imagine the intention is to walk with purpose to find clarity, peace, and calmness. 

Rad and I Found Our Groove in Ocala, Albeit a Short While.
Rad and I Found Our Groove in Ocala, Albeit a Short While.

A few steps in, my visions of walking gracefully hand and leash quickly dissipated when Radcliff decided he needed to relieve himself. In the middle of the labyrinth path. *sigh* There’s a little blue plastic bag for that.

After business was taken care of, we proceeded to walk toward the center staying within the stone-lined path but Radcliff had other plans. He stepped over the stones wanting to head toward a nearby tree. It was a bit hot and he does not do well in heat. I imagine he knew there would be some sort of shade under that tree but I was determined to finish this labyrinth. I tugged on him to stay close to me and when he came closer, he plopped down and I could not get him to budge.  He’s a stubborn little sausage when he wants to be. *sigh*

It was probably for the best. And maybe he sensed it. The skies soon opened with a downpour putting a damper on my visit to the Labyrinth in the Peace Park at First Congregational United Church of Christ.

The Labyrinth at the Unity Church in Venice, Fla.
The Labyrinth at the Unity Church in Venice, Fla.

How Did I Become Interested in Florida’s Labyrinths?
Colleague, friend, and I consider her a mentor, Lucy Tobias, has been busy researching about labyrinths and I’m THRILLED to share she has a travel guidebook in process and it’s all about Florida’s labyrinths! I consider Lucy an expert when it comes to enjoying real Florida. She is an award-winning author and has written books as 50 Great Walks in Florida and  Florida Gardens Gone Wild. She also illustrated and wrote the children’s book, Mary Margaret Manatee.

Pre-Order Circle of Center: Labyrinths in Florida
Lucy has been working hard in researching this travel guidebook. As I mentioned, she visited/contacted 138 labyrinths and 95 made the cut for her book. In 2017, she made 42 work trips ranging from one to five days. During that time she traveled about 9,000 miles around Florida! 

Lucy tells me, “A labyrinth is not a maze. There are no dead ends. You cannot get lost.”

Believe it or not, Lucy is the first to create a labyrinth trail in Florida!

From the Emerald Coast chapter of the book, Lucy shares her experience walking a labyrinth inside St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Panama City:

“These sharp turns are like life, I thought. We go along and suddenly, sharply, we encounter a complete reversal – a turnaround. Yet, step by step, even while being flung far out to the labyrinth’s outer circuits and back again, there is progress. Slowly but surely, we move one step at a time toward the center. Sometimes, it seems like a minor miracle to arrive at the center.”

So good, right?

You won’t want to miss this book and pre-orders are now being taken with an anticipated release date of Sept. 1, 2018, and retails for $19.95. You can pre-order the book right here –> Circle of Center: Labyrinths in Florida

Want to learn more? Check out:

Lucy’s Labyrinth of the Week Facebook page.

Subscribe to Lucy’s Saturday Morning Magazine, delivered free to your inbox the first Saturday of the month.

Listen to my interview with Lucy on WKDW 97.5 FM Radio.

A Walk in Beautiful Labyrinth at Unity Church of Venice.
A Walk in the Beautiful Labyrinth at Unity Church of Venice.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to support this blog, my traveling habit and my special-needs dog.

 

Advertisements

Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

3 thoughts on “Circle the Center With New Travel Guidebook About Florida’s Labyrinth

  1. Love the picture of you o the path with Radcliff – Obi has walked a few labyrinths too! The ones with low hedges or grass outline are easy for a dog to follow. There is a chapter in the book called Pets on the Path

    thanks Jenn, this has been a great adventure to research and now soon, readers can enjoy the journey

Comments are closed.

Manatee in the Flamingo Marina in Everglades National Park, Fla., Jan. 14, 2024.
Adventure Destinations Featured Nature Travel

How Flamingo in Everglades National Park Won My Heart. Again.

Disclosure: Some posts on this blog may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This is so I can support my traveling habit, my special-needs dog, and this blog. “The Everglades is a test. If we pass it, we may get to […]

Continue Reading
2024. One year means 366 opportunities.
Featured Nature Travel

Four Quirky Events I’m Excited About in 2024

Several events will make 2024 memorable but I’m looking forward to the quirky, fun stuff. Leap Day, a solar eclipse, an epic cicada emergence, and Smoky Bear’s 80th birthday top my list!

Continue Reading
Florida State Parks Annual Pass.
Budget Travel Featured Nature Travel

How to Get Your Florida State Parks Annual Pass for 50% Off! (By January 13, 2024)

Through the Great Outdoors Initiative, you can purchase your Florida State Parks Annual Pass for 50% off now through January 13, 2024.

Continue Reading