The journey starts in Fort Ogden, a settlement that grew around a strategic military post built in 1841 during the Second Seminole War along the Peace River. From there, the route enters a region shaped by cattle ranching, railroads, and early agriculture, passing through little-known places such as Southfort, Platt, and Liverpool—remnants of a rural Florida that has largely disappeared.
One of the most striking moments of the ride is the crossing of the Peace River, a waterway rich in history and wildlife, where the landscape opens into forests, ranchlands, and wide prairies. Beyond the river, the scenery alternates between large cattle operations and suburban developments such as Lake Suzy and Port Charlotte, revealing the contrast between traditional Florida and modern growth.
The route continues into North Port, one of the fastest-growing cities in southwest Florida, planned during the mid-twentieth-century land boom over former ranchlands and wetlands. Endless streets, vacant lots, and new neighborhoods illustrate the impact of large-scale development across the interior of the peninsula.
The highlight of the route is Warm Mineral Springs, the only natural hot spring in Florida. With a constant temperature of 87°F (30°C) and a depth of over 230 feet, this ancient sinkhole has long been used as a spa and is also one of the most important archaeological sites in North America, where human remains thousands of years old have been discovered.
From this remarkable location, the ride follows the same path back to Fort Ogden, completing a route that blends Native history, frontier conflict, rural landscapes, urban expansion, and one of Florida’s most mysterious natural landmarks.
This route can be seen in Descubriendo la Florida – Volume 3.
