I'm Matt Benson, a Florida-based graphic designer and photographer who enjoys going outside and writing about it. This is where I document those adventures.
Captain Erika Ritter remembers the Ocklawaha River before the destruction, when the springs ran clear and the stripers spawned in the swift, cool waters. I joined her aboard the Anhinga Spirit, her 24-foot pontoon boat, to explore hidden springs, revisit family memories, and discuss what the river’s future might hold.
Read MoreJenny and I journey through the Middle Ocklawaha River, uncovering Florida’s wild beauty and the history that lingers around every bend. Paddling its waters becomes a lesson in surrender—moving with the river’s rhythm as it carries echoes of the past.
Read MoreI explored the upper Ocklawaha River and found myself drawn to the contrast between its natural, meandering form and the sections shaped by human hands. I found in the river a reflection of myself—a longing to break free from constraint and find a path toward something wilder, more authentic, more free.
Read MoreI’ve been curious about the people who support the Kirkpatrick Dam, so I coordinated a tour on the Rodman Reservoir with local resident Harvey McGuire.
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