Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘FloridaStateParks’

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park (01/31/2024)

Posted in Hiking, Southwest, tagged , , , , , , , , , on February 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

After a night spent camping at the Collier-Seminole State Park, I began my drive home, and I decided to fit in just one more hike. The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park was not far away, with a website that claims it to be the largest state park in Florida with an “emphasis on the preservation of its natural character.” I did not want to miss this!

Ferns Add a Splash of Green Along the Trail

I turned off of State Road 29 and onto the Janes Memorial Scenic Drive, past the Visitor Center and restrooms which make up the “limited facilities” offered by this no frills park. The “Janes,” as the website warmly refers to this six-mile dusty road with holes and bumps that could easily complete with any city speed bumps, is the main access to the hiking trails. Driving down the road (slowly), it became clear that this park lived up to its goal to preserve its natural character, and it did not rely on RV campsites or children’s playgrounds to attract nature lovers. This park was big and wild!

I headed towards Gate 7, the West Main Tram Trail, a 4.5-mile out-and-back trail surrounded by swamp strands. The tram roads in the park are old logging roads built in the 1940s used to haul cypress logs from the swamp.

Between Me and My Car

Although very buggy (Those babies can bite through steel!), I enjoyed my shaded hike through this beautiful, wild country. Swamp strands to my right and left were filled with cabbage palms and bald cypress cloaked in orchids, bromeliads, and air plants. The saw palmetto and ferns along the sides added a dash of brilliant green to the landscape. An occasional orange tree appeared to be out of place.

The skies and trees were alive with red-shouldered hawks, woodpeckers, and warblers. Ibis and herons waded in the water. Butterflies fluttered past me. Alligators sunned on the banks and rocks besides the trail, and yes, the mosquitos still bit me. Picnic benches invited hikers to pause and enjoy it all. On the return, about a half mile from my car, one gator had left his sunny rock and moved onto the trail. I spent fifteen minutes yelling and clapping my hands with no reaction from him. My “gator-gone” methods exhausted, I pulled out my phone and played Taylor Swift, Bad Blood, as loudly as I could. Slowly, the lazy alligator raised up and walked into the water. (Add that to your hiking list!)

I returned to my car and headed home, sorry I could not stay longer and hike another trail.

(Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. 137 Coastline Drive, Copeland, FL 34127. (239) 961-1925. Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fakahatchee-strand-preserve-state-park)

Read Full Post »

Collier-Seminole State Park (01/30/2024)

Posted in Camping, Hiking, Southwest, tagged , , , , , , , , , on February 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

I chose Collier-Seminole State Park as my next camping/hiking trip, as I have wanted to hike in the Everglades area for some time. The website boasts that it is “within one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world.” Well-known for the heat and bugs that summer brings, I felt early spring was a good time to visit.

View from the Trail

The small feeling of the park surprised me. I drove through the gate and checked in. My campground was close by, the smaller of the two. The park also had a grassy community area and as well as the river area where I had rented a kayak a couple of years ago.

I parked at my site and put my tent up quickly (Yay! I’m getting better!). The smaller campground allows only tents and smaller campers/RVs. The restrooms and laundry were a short walk away. The facilities were clean. The park felt comfortable.

I wanted to get a hike in before the sun set, so I headed out to the Prairie Hammock Trail, the trail recommended by the park staff. Access to all three hiking trails is outside the gate off of US 41. The other two trails, the Strand Swamp Trail (closed due to the hurricane) and the Flatwoods Trail (very wet and muddy) were not recommended, so Prairie Hammock Trail it was!

A Peak through the Ferns

The Prairie Hammock is a loop trail, my favorite kind! I hiked the grassy road, peaking through gorgeous tall ferns to look out across the prairie. Saw palmetto, cabbage palm, and tall slash pine added to the beautiful landscape around me. I read posted signs along the trail warning of panthers and bears in the area—and hoped to see something! I was not alone; many birds enjoyed the afternoon with me—red-winged blackbird, yellow-rumped warbler, and common yellowthroat. Bird watchers would love this trail.  

Ready for the Evening

As I made the turn back on the loop, the trail narrowed and became a bit muddy—but there was never  a lot of standing water, so the hiking was easy. I arrived back to my car after about a 4.5 mile hike, disappointed that I did not see any animals but happy, as always, to have the privilege to experience nature.

I returned to my campsite, and after a shower and a bite to eat, I built my campfire (nailed it this time!). What a great day and successful (but short) camping trip. 

(Collier-Seminole State Park. 20200 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34114. (239) 394-3397. Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/collier-seminole-state-park)

Read Full Post »

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (01/23-01/24/2024)

Posted in Camping, Central, Hiking, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on February 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »

I knew as I drove along the long dirt road in the midst of a prairie grassland from the entrance of the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park to the office and campground that I was in for a peaceful experience with Nature. I stopped my car, rolled down my window, and listened. No sounds of traffic.  Perfect.

Where the Prairie Meets the Hammock

I arrived on Tuesday with a last minute reservation I was able to grab for just one night. My first stop was the park office where I checked in and checked out trails with a volunteer. My campground, the family campground, had only twenty sites, with several that looked out to the prairie. How beautiful!

After setting up my tent, I started on the Prairie Loop Trail—a recommendation for an afternoon hike from the park volunteer. This trail, about 4.5 miles, was surrounded by live oak covered with moss, saw palmetto, wax myrtle, and tall prairie grasses blowing in the breeze. I returned to the office area a couple hours later to see deer and wild turkeys grazing in the tall grasses.

Sunrise on the Prairie

Evening in the campground was quiet and friendly. In need of a shower, I walked to the bathhouse, and was surprised to see how dark the campground had become when I stepped back out. I had looked forward to some fabulous star gazing, but unfortunately, the clouds kept the stars away. Once I snuggled into my sleeping bag, the nearly full moon appeared and lit up my tent. At 2:00 in the morning, I took a brief stroll through the campground, happy to see the stars had finally made it to the party. At 6:30, I rose to see the sunrise, nearly running into a deer on my way to my viewing spot. I watched as beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow painted the sky while birds sang their morning songs.

Before leaving on day two, I hiked through the Hammock Trail to the Kilpatrick Prairie Trail and back—about six miles (another recommendation from a park staff member). Such beautiful prairies! With no one on the trail, I enjoyed the peace and serenity that Nature offered. There were some wet areas on the trail, but they were easy to walk around. I passed a couple deer on the side of the trail—no fear, they hardly moved. On my return through the hammock, a small white boar scurried away.

Mother Nature Paints a Beautiful Picture

 My goal for this trip was to test out my new tent and stove and make certain I could keep a fire going. I made progress! I’ll work on the fire on my next trip. 🙂

(Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. 33104 NW 192nd Ave, Okeechobee, FL 34972. (863) 462-5360. Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/kissimmee-prairie-preserve-state-park).

Read Full Post »

Jonathan Dickinson State Park–White Loop (01/10/2024)

Posted in Hiking, Southeast, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 6, 2024| 2 Comments »

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is my “go to” park, when I don’t have time to travel far. I returned to JD State Park to hike the 7.5 mile White Loop for my third state park in the new year. This is where I had spied the Florida Panther the previous New Year’s Day, and I hoped to see one again.

Saw Palmetto Among the Pines

I began my hike in a clockwise direction and made the same mistake I did the first time I hiked it. About one mile in, after going over the little bridge and around the water, I became overconfident being on the service road and missed the right turn onto a smaller trail. My AllTrails app gave me a “heads up” that I was off trail about a block later.

Sixty-five degrees with a slight breeze! Perfect hiking weather. For the remainder of the trail, I came upon water from time to time, but never to the point where it flowed into my shoes. I was thrilled to see they had built small boardwalks around the deeper water.

I love that this trail has a couple of rest spots with benches. The first is about 3.5 miles into the trail. I passed only a couple of hikers heading in the opposite direction as I, and I saw one hiker come off the OTL Trail in the distance (This distraction may have caused my missed trail.).

Loggerhead Shrike to Keep Me Company

The moist sand from a recent rain made for easy track identification—wild boar, raccoon, and then some I could not identify. The trail had very little boar activity until the last mile.

Only the birds kept me company—loggerhead shrike, red-shouldered hawk, yellow-rumped warbler. Alas, no panther to be seen.

Although there is next to no shade on this trail, it’s always a great trail to hike.

Read Full Post »

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park (01/04/2024)

Posted in Hiking, Northwest, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on January 29, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Among my goals for 2024, somewhere between “learning to cook a Mediterranean diet” and “complete the next thirty miles of the Appalachian Trail” is that to “visit at least ten Florida State Parks” this year.  So, after spending some time at Perdido Key State Park and to keep the momentum going, I drove to Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park in Pensacola. Access was easy with the parking lot just off the main road and an honor system entry fee.

Caramel Grasses on Tarkiln Bayou Trail

I began with the Tarkiln Bayou Trail, an out-and-back one-mile round trip with a scenic view of the Tarkiln Bayou bordered by beautiful tall grasses. This trail is ADA accessible with concrete walkways and long boardwalks leading to the bayou. Along the way, benches invited me to take an undeserved rest and scannable information signage filled me in on the surrounding flora.  

Autumn Colors Dress the Perdido Bay Trail

After completing the Tarkiln Bayou Trail, I increased my effort with the Perdido Bay Trail. This trail branches off at the beginning from Tarkiln Bayou Trail. My hike was about 6.5 miles, often shaded by oaks and pines. Although mostly a dirt trail, there were occasional portions filled in with large gravel, difficult to walk on. (On the return, I realized that thoughtful hikers had created small, grassy paths to bypass the gravel.) The loop portion of this trail borders along the Perdido Bay.

The cool weather made for perfect hiking. A very recent burn had caramelized the landscape in shades of orange, brown and black—perfect for a Halloween set. The lack of green vegetation did not keep the birds away. I spied many yellow wobblers, red belly woodpeckers, and even a bald eagle.

Map: https://www.floridastateparks.org/sites/default/files/media/file/tbp-brochure.pdf

(Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. 2401 Bauer Road, Pensacola, FL 32507. Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/tarkiln-bayou-preserve-state-park. (850) 492-1595.)

Read Full Post »

Perdido Key State Park (01/04/2024)

Posted in Hiking, Northwest, tagged , , , , , , , on January 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »

On my drive home from Alabama after visiting family for the New Year, I wanted to stop at a couple State Parks. I started with the most westerly and furthest away from my home—Perdido Key State Park, which according to the State Park website is a “favorite destination for swimmers and sunbathers” with “white sand beaches and rolling dunes covered with sea oats.”

Sea Oats on the Dunes

I knew that Hurricane Sally in 2020 had caused devastating damage to the park and forced it to close. I was thrilled to see that two of the three entrances—the middle and east entrances—were now open with beautiful new boardwalks at both entrances and a new restroom at the east entrance. Construction crews worked on the west entrance.

Although the beach and dune areas were closed to protect an “environmentally sensitive area,” it was a beautiful site from the boardwalk and an uplifting promise for a New Year of great beginnings.

New Boardwalks to the Beach

(Perdido Key State Park. 15301 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola FL 32507. Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/perdido-key-state-park. (850) 492-1595.)

Read Full Post »

Seabranch Preserve State Park, North Loop (04/09/2023)

Posted in Hiking, Southeast, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on April 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Over two months! That’s how long it’s been since my last hike due to a foot injury at the beginning of February which left me hobbling and “hikeless.” I am so glad to get back to nature—but I am starting out light—which is why I chose Seabranch Preserve State Park for my hike on Easter morning.

Sandy Pathways Along the Seabranch Trail

Only 913 acres, Seabranch was designated a state park in 1992. I found it easily, no gate to drive through or ID to show. I parked in front of the fence that led into the park. A kiosk next to the water fountain and toilet gave me the trail information I needed.

I chose the longest of the three hiking trails, the North Loop, and hiked just under 3.5 miles on a mostly sandy, narrow and twisting trail, happy I had worn long pants to keep the wild things off my legs. My goal–to beat the forecasted rain. The partly overcast sky provided a (small) relief from the hot sun, and my legs appreciated the occasional bench along the trail.

Large, dead trees dotted the landscape of scrub and tall pines—remnants, I imagine, from a prescribed burn to help maintain the fire dependent ecosystems within the park. I passed a few people during the first fifteen minutes, and then no one for the remainder of the trail. Although mostly in the open, short sections passed through pines, needles creating a welcomed carpet over the sandy trail. Little wildlife appeared in the quiet landscape, perhaps due to the hot day or impending storm. I spotted one swallow-tailed kite my entire hike.

Pine Needles on the Sandy Trail

I found the well-blazed trail easy to follow most of the time—and relied on my AllTrails app to pull me back on course if I got distracted searching for life. Although the first part of the trail twisted through the scrub, the last mile moved onto a road–wider, but still very sandy.

I finished my hike in about 1.5 hours with my legs feeling that the sandy trail had worked them out better than any gym could. Although I prefer a shaded hike, I’ve gotten use to Florida’s hot, sandy trails. I enjoyed my morning hike and hope to return to hike the remaining two trails.

(Seabranch Preserve State Park. 6093 S.W. Dixie Highway, Stuart, FL 34997. (772) 219-1880) Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/seabranch-preserve-state-park)

Read Full Post »

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (01/19/2023)

Posted in Hiking, Southeast, tagged , , , , , , , on January 26, 2023| 2 Comments »

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!  

Read Full Post »

Jonathan Dickinson State Park–Green Loop (01/16/2023)

Posted in Hiking, Southeast, tagged , , , , , , on January 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »

I completed the White Loop Trail at Jonathan Dickinson State Park on New Year’s Day and enjoyed it enough to bring me back for more! This time, my bestie, Barb, joined me, and we hiked the 4.9 miles of the Green Loop Trail in just under two hours.

If you come from almost anyplace other than Florida, you will find the Florida trails different. Mainly flat and often sandy, in many cases, there is little or no shade, but dang, you are out in nature in beautiful sunny Florida surrounded by the Florida scrub and who knows what else.

Sugar Sand Pathway of the Green Loop

This was a Monday holiday, so there were others around the park on bikes and on foot. The campsites were full. We hiked the Green Loop Trail, going counterclockwise. On the east side of the trail, we trudged through sugar sand as we headed north with the sun at our backs. The trail was narrower on this side with some shade and even some ups and downs!

Our View from the Wooden Bridge

We walked along the railroad tracks on the west side of the trail—the same tracks that bordered the White Loop I hiked on New Year’s. This trail was wider and paved in areas. Although this made the hike faster, we enjoyed the narrower sugar sand path and the added work it required more. Heading south, we started to see mountain bikers flying along their trails to our east but very little wild life other than that. The south end of the trail brought us to a lake and some welcomed shade—a short break for us before we ended our hike.

A Bit of Cool Shade Before the End

Read Full Post »

My First Camping Trip! (12/29/2022)

Posted in Camping, tagged , , , , , , , on January 3, 2023| Leave a Comment »

I have so much to be grateful for and excited about in this new year. I just retired, and adventures await! I have a lengthy list of places to go and things to do.

I had to start somewhere, but uppermost on my mind was ensuring that I could pitch my new tent (REI Quarter Dome SL2). Understand that I grew up in New England, on a farm, in the middle of nowhere, and yet, I have never been camping. I mean…pitch a tent and sleep outside kind of camping. So, this is a new concept for me, and it would not do me well to hike into the wilderness only to discover that I could not put up my tent in a reasonable amount of time and spend the night.

I decided that to test myself, I would stay close to home and camp at a site where I could park next to my tent–you know, just in case. The John Prince Park Campground in Lake Worth was the perfect location.

John Prince Park Wildlife

I arrived at 3:00 and had a beautiful spot near the water. I was one of only two tents in this RV-crowded campground. As I pulled out my supplies, wind gusts challenged me and turned my tent into a wind sock before I finally staked out two corners. Somehow, I still managed to raise my tent in less than an hour! (For me, this was an accomplishment.)

Morning Comes at John Prince Park

Because John Prince Park is so close to home, I often go there on walks, but I had never been to the campground area. I spent an hour discovering several small, dirt trails that took me through the peaceful Florida scrub before I returned to my tent for the evening. My family stopped by to ensure the iguanas and alligators had not gotten to me. That night, I snuggled into my sleeping bag in the quiet campground and fell asleep (eventually) listening to the distant traffic on I-95 and the wind slapping against my tent. I awoke early feeling confident that I could do this again and ready to tackle my retirement list!

Read Full Post »