“I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do.” – Willa Cather, O Pioneers (1913)
Big Tree Park Revisited
Florida Parks
Hike #33: Koreshan State Park, Estero
Hike #33, 52 Hike Challenge: Koreshan State Park, Estero. I had a great hike at Koreshan State Park on a cool and breezy Friday morning. I parked near the campgrounds and took the nature trail along the Estero River that includes a spectacular bamboo forest. The trail winds its way to the ghost town of a bizarre, 19th-century religious sect known as the Koreshans that was founded by Dr. Cyrus R. Teed, who believed “that the universe existed on the inside of the Earth.” I was the only one out there except a park ranger picking up wind debris – an amazing (and sometimes creepy!) experience to wander through this former thriving community. Distance: 3.2 miles.
Hike #32: Lighthouse Point Park, Ponce Inlet
Hike #32, 52 Hike Challenge: Lighthouse Point Park, Ponce Inlet. The perfect day trip for hikers, Lighthouse Point Park ($10 entrance fee) lies at the southern end of Ponce Inlet. I wandered around the beach, jetty and boardwalk of Lighthouse Point Park, then headed toward the Marine Science Center and Ponce de Leon Lighthouse. Both Lighthouse Point Park and the Marine Science Center offer short nature trails, the latter which leads to an observation tower. We topped the day off with a visit to DJ’s Deck in Port Orange for a later lunch and viewed some dolphins frolicking in the distance. Distance: 2 miles.
Hike #27: Myakka River State Park
Hike #27, 52 Hike Challenge: Myakka River State Park, Sarasota. Since we had to drive all the way back to Pine Island (we left a cooler full of supplies behind during our Cayo Costa State Park excursion last week), we decided to stop by to briefly sample Myakka River State Park. It was truly amazing! We strolled along the William S. Boylston Nature Trail, took the Canopy Walk, climbed the Observation Tower and wandered around a little bit near Upper Myakka Lake. In addition, we saw wading birds, black vultures and a red shouldered hawk clutching a squirrel. We will definitely be back soon to explore Myakka River State Park further. By the way, the Myakka River, is Florida’s first state-designated Wild and Scenic River. To reach Myakka River State Park, take I-75 to Exit 205 and travel 9 miles east on State Road 72. The park entrance will be on your left. Distance: 1.2 miles.
Cayo Costa State Park
We spent an adventurous weekend exploring one of the most remote state parks in Florida: Cayo Costa State Park, which is located four nautical miles west of Pine Island. In fact, the only way to reach Cayo Costa Island is via Tropic Star ferry or private boat. We had a pleasant ride aboard the Tropic Star and enjoyed talking with Captain Bruce. It took about 55 minutes to reach the island, where we checked in and purchased some firewood and bags of ice. Then a tram (which runs on the top of the hour between 9 AM and 4 PM) took us about a mile across the island to the campground. We camped at campsite #6, which was spacious and a short distance away from the beach access and restrooms. Note that there is no electricity on the island, but potable water and cold showers can be found at the restrooms. So logistically speaking, you must plan out your meals and bring plenty of supplies, since the gift shop on the other side of the island only stocks snacks, sodas and water bottles (along with Klondike bars!). After pitching our tent, we strolled to the amazing, practically deserted white-sand beach and caught a beautiful sunset. At night, we sat around the campfire and then headed along the Cemetery Trail with just our flashlights to guide us to the Pioneer Cemetery. Real creepy and very cool! There are just a handful of graves here and one of the most notable is that of Captain Peter Nelson, who died on September 7, 1919, at the age of 80 years and whose inscription reads, “After life’s fitful fever/he sleeps well.” The next morning we woke up before sunrise and strolled down the deserted beach for a little shell collecting (we also came across the gulf calico crab pictured above). Then I explored some of the miles of hiking trails in the center of the island. Oh yeah, as we set about cleaning up our campsite, we noticed a four-foot snake with a black head slithering out from underneath our tent! The park ranger later told us we had witnessed a rather harmless eastern coachwhip snake. Good times! Bottom line: Cayo Costa State Park is a great campground, one of the best we’ve experienced during our Florida travels, but make sure you are totally prepared for this rustic adventure!
Hike #25: Cayo Costa State Park
Hike #25, 52 Hike Challenge: Cayo Costa State Park. One of the great things about camping on remote Cayo Costa State Park (you need to take a ferry from Pine Island to get to Cayo Costa Island) is the incredible diversity of hiking trails on the island. Due to time constraints, I only had the opportunity to take a beach walk and sample about half of the trails (Cemetery Trail, Scrub Trail, Quarantine Trail and Pine Wood Trail), but I was truly impressed! Distance: 3.5 miles.
Hike #24: Shingle Creek Regional Park
Hike #24, 52 Hike Challenge: Shingle Creek Regional Park, Kissimmee. Although Shingle Creek Regional Creek Park lies just off bustling U.S. 192, it seems worlds away once you take to the hiking trails! Fortunately the weather cleared up and I was able to knock out both the Babb Landing and Steffee Landing sections of the park. In addition, I caught a glimpse of a white-tailed deer on the Babb Landing side and a rare white squirrel on the Steffee Landing side (see if you can spot it in one of the photos above!). According to the Florida State University Coastal Marine Laboratory website, “The white squirrel is actually a genetic anomaly due to a mutated gene from the common Eastern Gray Squirrel. It is called leucism, which is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in animals caused by a recessive allele. Unlike albinism, it is a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin. White squirrels lack red eyes and also tend to have a gray patch on their heads and what is referred to as a ‘dorsal stripe’ down their backs.” Shingle Creek Regional Park is home to The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek. Wildlife Sightings: White-Tailed Deer, White Squirrel. Distance: 3.1 miles.
Lake Griffin State Park
Encompassing 620 acres just north of Leesburg, Lake Griffin State Park is home to the second-largest oak tree in Florida! A short trail leads off a small parking lot to the right just after the ranger station to this massive live oak tree. The sign in front of the live oak tree reads, “This live oak tree is the second largest oak tree in the state of Florida and is estimated to be between 300-500 years old. It serves as a home for many species of mammals and birds and may even have been a landmark for the Timuca Indians who frequented the area before settlement and later the Seminole Indians. The first settlers discovered the tree in 1811, since then it has attracted tourists from the entire nation.” In addition, the park features two hiking trails, campground, canoe/kayak rentals and guided pontoon boat tours. Lake Griffin State Park is located at 3089 U.S. 441-27 in Fruitland Park.
Hike #22: Lake Lotus Park
Hike #22, 52 Hike Challenge: Lake Lotus Park, Altamonte Springs. Lake Lotus Park lies just off bustling Maitland Boulevard, so my expectations were rather low for an escape into nature. However, I was totally impressed with the 150-acre nature preserve as I strolled along the lengthy boardwalk, which I had pretty much to myself on a quiet Friday afternoon. Although I didn’t see any alligators on this visit, I did view what I believe to be a Florida redbelly turtle (see above). I will definitely be back! Note that there is tram service available from an off-site parking area across the street during weekends since parking inside Lake Lotus Park is very limited. Distance: 1.3 miles.
Hike #18: Tibet-Butler Preserve
Hike #18, 52 Hike Challenge: Tibet-Butler Preserve, Orlando. Nestled amid some serious urban sprawl, the Tibet-Butler Preserve offers a respite from the stresses of modern society. I hiked several trails, including Fallen Log Crossing, Osprey Overlook, Tarflower Loop and Pine Circle Loop (the Palmetto Passage is closed indefinitely due to flooding). In addition, I strolled through the Vera Carter Environmental Center. Very well done! The Tibet-Butler Preserve is located at 8777 County Road 535. Distance: 2 miles.
Wandering Florida 