Chad Gallivanter 8/29/25 Chad Gallivanter 8/29/25

Most Beautiful Garden in Florida? Naples Botanical Garden

Show Notes 🌿

Step inside one of Florida’s most inspiring cultural treasures: Naples Botanical Garden. This episode takes you through 170 acres of carefully curated landscapes where South Florida meets the tropics of Asia, the Caribbean, and beyond. From vibrant orchids and palms to the tranquility of the Water Garden, we’ll explore how the garden has become a sanctuary not only for plants, but for people.

We’ll talk history—how a group of passionate locals transformed a patch of lakes and scrubland into a world-class destination—and highlight the role of conservation in preserving rare and threatened species. You’ll also hear about the seasonal art installations, family-friendly programming, and why this garden is as much about culture and community as it is about horticulture.

Whether you’re looking for travel inspiration, a serene escape, or just curious about what makes this garden one of the top attractions in Southwest Florida, this episode is your guide.

📍 Locations Mentioned

Naples Botanical Garden – 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL 34112
🌐 naplesgarden.org

Chad Gallivanter 8/29/25 Chad Gallivanter 8/29/25

Inside the Old Sautee Store: A Timeless Detour Near Helen, Georgia

Podcast Show Notes: The Old Sautee Store

Step inside a piece of Georgia’s history. In this episode, we visit the Old Sautee Store, a landmark that has been welcoming travelers since the 1870s. More than just a country store, this place is part museum, part mercantile, and part café, making it one of the most unique stops you can make in North Georgia.

We’ll talk about the history of the store, how it has evolved from its days as a trading post into a modern visitor favorite, and what makes it such a fascinating detour when exploring the Helen–Sautee Nacoochee Valley area.

📍 Location

Old Sautee Store
2315 GA-17, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
oldsauteestore.com

The store sits at the intersection of GA Highway 17 and Highway 255, just a few minutes outside Helen, Georgia.

🛒 What You’ll Find

A museum section with antique fixtures, an original fireplace, and historic merchandise displays.
A modern shop selling local jams, jellies, honey, cheeses, cured meats, and regional wines.
Specialty gifts ranging from hand-crafted goods to nostalgic candies.
A café counter with sandwiches, fresh bread, and coffee—perfect for fueling up while exploring the valley.

🌄 What’s Nearby

If you’re planning a visit, make a day of it by exploring the surrounding area:

Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound – Just down the road, this iconic mound with its small white gazebo is one of the most photographed sites in North Georgia.
Helen, GA – A Bavarian-themed alpine town filled with shops, restaurants, and seasonal festivals.
Hardman Farm State Historic Site – Historic home and dairy farm tied to Georgia’s agricultural heritage.
Sautee Nacoochee Center – Local cultural hub featuring art galleries, performances, and Appalachian history.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Wherever you go, take the story with you. This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and all major platforms. Don’t forget to follow so you don’t miss future episodes.

Chad Gallivanter 8/6/25 Chad Gallivanter 8/6/25

Fort Mose: America’s First Free Black Settlement

Before there was the Underground Railroad heading north, there was a different route to freedom—heading south. In 1738, just two miles north of St. Augustine, Florida, the Spanish crown established Fort Mose (pronounced Moh-SAY), the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in what would become the United States.

This episode tells the extraordinary story of Fort Mose and the people who risked everything to get there. Enslaved men and women from the British colonies in the Carolinas fled south, crossing dangerous terrain and hostile territory, drawn by the promise of freedom if they pledged loyalty to the Spanish crown and converted to Catholicism. At Fort Mose, they built a community, defended the Spanish border, and redefined what freedom meant in colonial America.

We’ll walk through the history of the fort itself, its destruction and rediscovery, and the creation of the modern-day Fort Mose Historic State Park. We’ll talk about the reenactments, the replica fort, and why this site matters, not just as a piece of Florida history, but as a cornerstone of the American story.