Hike #43: Maritime Hammock Sanctuary


Hike #43: 52 Hike Challenge: Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach. On a rather cold, dreary and wet morning, we headed north from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort past Sebastian Inlet State Park toward the 150-acre Maritime Hammock Sanctuary in Melbourne Beach. Fortunately, when we arrived at the Sanctuary, the rain had somewhat tapered off and we had a nice (but sometimes slippery) hike. The Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, which is located inside the 900-acre Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, once served as the site of an exotic plant nursery. Distance: 2.8 miles.

 

 

Hike #42: Captain Forster Hammock Preserve


Hike #42: 52 Hike Challenge: Captain Forster Hammock Preserve, Vero Beach. During a seven-mile bike ride that started at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and took us along the scenic Historic Jungle Trail, we made a pit stop at the delightful, 110-acre Captain Forster Hammock Preserve (named after an early settler to the area) and hiked to the beach and back (along with sampling some of the rather overgrown side trails along the way). Distance: 2 miles.