I started my afternoon hiking adventure on this sweet, twisty-turny dirt trail that surrounds Gator Lake in West Palm Beach. Just over a half mile, this is a great warm-up trail! I love that access and parking to this trail and the Hammock Hog and Promontory Loop Trails was easy—and included bathrooms with flushing toilets!
Gator Lake on the Eagle Trail
As this trail looped around the lake, I came upon several spots to pause and sit or take in the lake view and do some bird watching. Narrow and somewhat rooty, this trail has lots of shade, so even on a warm May afternoon, it was a pleasant hike. The trail ends at the entry road, and I walked the quarter mile back to the parking lot and on to Hog Hammock Trail.
With recent rains, I hesitated to attempt the next section of the OTL Trail, not wanting to wade among the muck and other creepy crawly things that might live in any standing water. However, if not now, then when? The rainy season is here to stay for a while! Worse case, I thought, I might get a couple miles in and decide to turn back. Ankle high water, I don’t mind, but thigh high? Ehhhh
So, I set out from Riverbend Park at 10:15 a.m. and immediately came upon three hikers heading in the opposite direction as I (and obviously, much earlier risers). They appeared geared up for camping and had passed through my destination that morning—and they reported a dry trail! Good news for me.
Entering the Wooded Trail
What I loved about this portion of the OTL was the diversity in my surroundings beginning with the easy stroll-like hike through Riverbend Park (dang, those trails are nice!). Once I left the park, the trail changed, and I passed through a shaded, winding, wooded, and often narrow trail until I emerged onto a sandy open and brutally hot road along the canal—causing me to be thrilled when I entered the woods once again. Wild boar had torn up portions of the woodsy trail, and I became adept at maneuvering around the ruts. As with the first section I hiked in January, this trail was well blazed—although I managed to get off track a couple of times and found that the AllTrails app did not always agree with the trail blazes.
Hot, Sandy Road Beside the Canal
Here’s why I prefer to hike alone—I have a better chance of seeing wildlife. I was on the trail for seven hours, and by mid-hike, I began to see signs of life. A couple raccoons scurried along the trail on their short little legs, two hawks and a heron flew above me, a wild turkey trotted across my path like a character in Alice in Wonderland with somewhere important to go, and a spotted fawn seemed as startled to see me on the path as I was to see it. Several miles into my hike, I finally came upon some welcomed benches and a lovely spot for lunch.
After lunch, in the middle of nowhere, I spied a wooden tower with steps to the top, and I dragged my tired butt up the stairs to see what I could see—a lovely view! A brief pause, and I continued on the trail (a total of 10.5 miles), finally emerging from the trees and onto Beeline Highway. I had left my car at Riverbend Park, thinking it might be an out and back hike. If I made it to the Beeline, I planned to call an Uber for a lift from the Beeline parking to Riverbend Park. (I know, city girl thinking for a country girl) Apparently, my location was a bit too remote, and I gave up waiting for a driver to grab my request after fifteen minutes. Thank goodness for family and back up plans. I thought I had read that there was new parking at the trailhead, but the Beeline Highway parking lot—one and a half miles east of where I emerged, seemed to be it. My tired legs and I were ready for a cold beer, but I took the Beeline stroll and arrived at the parking lot just about the same time as my daughter.
Beautiful View from the Tower
Next up on the OTL for me—Beeline Highway to the Youth Conservation Camp—about a five-mile hike one way.
The country girl in me believed that state parks in some way mimic the large wild spaces one would find in the country, areas filled with beautiful flora, fauna, and opportunities for discovery. The idea that a state park could be a small piece of land tucked in between the Intracoastal and A1A in urban Ft. Lauderdale challenged my country girl spirit.
With plans to visit as many Florida State Parks as possible in my retirement, I took an afternoon and drove to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Ft. Lauderdale. The website described hiking opportunities as a “20-minute leisurely walk through a native maritime tropical hardwood hammock ecosystem,” and I arrived prepared for a short stroll in a city park, most likely a boardwalk. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
Ibis Along the Nature Trail
In a small amount of space, this park had a bit of everything! A long oval shaped one-way drive surrounds the park. Most of the parking is along this drive. Winding, canopied nature trails weave in and out along the way. Along the trails, small signs describe some of the flora in the small forest, but I would have loved to see more and better signage.
The drive includes a designated lane for pedestrians, bikers, and inline skaters as well, and all took advantage of the gorgeous day. The welcoming west side of the trail which borders the Intracoastal and includes benches and picnic tables shaded by trees impressed me—what a great escape from the urban chaos just minutes away. I walked through a meditation garden and stepped along a labyrinth. There was a small playground and clean restrooms nearby (although the restroom in the small restaurant screamed for attention).
The park also includes a small concession to rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, jet-skis, beach chairs and beach umbrellas—just about anything a person might need for a little getaway. The beach is easily accessed just past the Park and Ocean Restaurant. This casual restaurant, snuggled beneath what looked like large Seagrape trees (not sure that’s what they were), includes an In-house brewery, Shady Brewing, that offers specialty beers with a taste of Florida. What could be better than a cold beer and some island music to end the afternoon? I chose the bartender’s favorite, a light beer with a hint of Mango, called Mangolandia, enjoying it along with the fish tacos.
A Refreshing Beer with a Florida Twist
At the end of my visit, I had walked about 2.5 miles and spent two hours in the park.
I purchased an annual pass for the Florida State Parks at the beginning of January and have visited only two thus far—and they could not have been more different—but the country girl in me is good with that now. Sometimes, smaller does the trick. Either way, it has been a great investment of $60. I look forward to the next one!
Footprints and Ripples 