Florida Parks

Hike #15: Trout Lake Nature Center, Eustis

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Parks, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized ,


Hike #15, 52 Hike Challenge: Trout Lake Nature Center, Eustis. We had a pleasant stroll along the trails of the Trout Lake Nature Center followed by a visit to the Education Center and Museum. We followed the Lazy Oak Trail to the right of the parking lot and took the Boardwalk to Trout Lake. On the way back we took the Armadillo Trail to the Adventure Trail to the Grandfather Oak Trail for a view of the very impressive oak tree. Most of the trail was heavily shaded, so the sweltering heat was not too much of a problem. The Trout Lake Nature Center is located at 520 East County Road 44 in Eustis. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Distance: 1.4 miles.

Bahia Honda Rail Bridge

reweidman50 Florida History, Florida Keys, Florida Parks, Florida State Parks, Uncategorized , , , , , , ,


Completed in 1912, the Overseas Railroad (aka “Flagler’s Folly” and the “Eighth Wonder of the World”) was partially destroyed by the tragic Labor Day Hurricane in 1935. Today, visitors to the Florida Keys heading down the Overseas Highway toward Key West can view the only remaining segment of the railroad, the Bahia Honda Rail Bridge, between Bahia Honda Key (home to Bahia Honda State Park) and Scout Key (formerly known as West Summerland Key). We pulled off at Scout Key and took a short stroll along a sandy path to an overlook where the road ends abruptly (be careful since there is quite a drop-off and no barriers of any kind). The reward is a great view of the Bahia Honda Rail Bridge itself. On the way back to the car, we noticed a creepy, rusted-out scooter (see image above). For more information about the fascinating history of the Overseas Railroad, I recommend Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean (2003) by Lee Standiford.

 

Hike #14: Fort Zachary Taylor, Key West

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Forts, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Parks, Florida State Parks, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized , , , , ,


Hike #14, 52 Hike Challenge: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. We hiked around a few of the trails for a great view of Fort Zachary Taylor, a National Historic Landmark that was named after President Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) and constructed in the mid-1850s. The fort was occupied by Union forces throughout the Civil War. Key West is not known for its great beaches, but Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is by far the best of the bunch. You can even grab an ice-cold beer at the onsite Cayo Hueso Cafe! Distance: 1.2 miles.

 

Big Tree Park, Longwood

reweidman50 Florida History, Florida Parks, Uncategorized , , , , , ,


The National Champion Bald Cypress Tree known as “The Senator” stood majestically for 3,500 years (reaching 165 feet at its peak) until it was tragically destroyed by an arsonist in 2012. During a quick stroll up the boardwalk at Big Tree Park in Longwood, you can learn all about the fascinating history of this tree (President Calvin Coolidge visited the tree in 1929), view the burnt remains of the tree and view its huge companion, “Lady Liberty” (2,000 years old and rising 89 feet with a diameter of 10 feet!). Also check out the clone of The Senator (known as “The Phoenix”), which is located adjacent to the playground. Big Tree Park is part of Spring Hammock Preserve.

Lake Idamere Park, Tavares

reweidman50 Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Lakes, Florida Parks, Uncategorized ,

 


My goal this morning was to hike the two-mile nature trail at Lake Idamere Park in Tavares. However, after a short stroll I realized that much of the trail was flooded from the recent torrential rainstorms. Lake Idamere Park features shaded picnic areas, a playground, dog park and fishing pier. It was a really nice park (off State Road 19) and I will definitely be back soon!

 

 

Honeymoon Island State Park

reweidman50 Florida Beaches, Florida Islands, Florida Parks, Uncategorized , , , , ,


Ideally located just west of Dunedin and north of Clearwater Beach (take U.S. 19 to S.R. 586 and travel west for five miles), Honeymoon Island State Park features 4 miles of white-sand beach, a pet beach area, concessions, picnic areas, playground and two nature trails: Osprey Trail and Pelican Cove Trail. In addition, a 20-minute ferry ride (fee) takes you over to Caladesi Island State Park.

Hike #6: Green Springs Park, Enterprise

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Parks, Florida Springs, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized , , , , ,


Hike #6, 52 Hike Challenge: Green Springs Park, Enterprise. Encompassing 36 acres near the north shore of Lake Monroe, Green Springs Park boasts one of Florida’s few green sulfur springs (note: swimming and fishing are not allowed!). We enjoyed strolling on both the paved and natural trails that wind through the park, which also features scenic overlooks, a playground and picnic pavilions. Green Springs Park also serves as a trailhead for both the East Central Regional Rail Trail and Spring-to-Spring Trail. A “hotel for invalids” was built at this site by Cornelius Taylor in 1841 as one of the first health spas in the Sunshine State. Tourists were attracted to the springs in the belief that they could cure various ailments. In the late 1800s, Green Springs was part of a huge estate built by wine importer and steamboat magnate Frederick deBary. Distance: 1.2 miles.

 

Hike #5: Trimble Park, Tangerine

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Parks, Uncategorized , , , ,

 


Hike #5, 52 Hike Challenge: Trimble Park, Tangerine. A very peaceful park to hike on a Sunday morning, Trimble Park on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Tangerine (population: 2,865) offers several lakeside trails and a boardwalk shaded by ancient oak trees. I saw numerous alligator and snake warnings along the trail, but did not view either on this particular hike. By the way, author Pat Frank (1908-64) wrote his classic 1959 post-apocalyptic novel Alas, Babylon (1959) while living in Tangerine. Distance: 1.8 miles.