January 2014: Myakka River State Park, Learning the Park

We started a new year at a new state park, Myakka River State Park.  The last time we passed through the park it river had overflowed the banks and the road was barely passable.  However, that was late summer and this is winter the 'dry' season so the roads are dry.

View from the Canopy Walk

With 37,000 acres the park offers multiple opportunities to view wildlife, hike, bicycle, fish, and canoe.   One of our first trips was the nature trail and canopy walkway (above).  On the nature trail we found a Peninsula Cooter laying her eggs in the middle of the trail!

Florida Peninsula Cooter

Now Bill loves to fish and the waters here are infested with Tilapia, you know that other white fish.  But all is not perfect with this new resident in the park is considered an invasive species so catching it is encouraged.  According to the local story, the dam at a farm up-river gave way during one wet season and the tilapia escaped into the river eventually displacing many of the native bass, brim, and spot.  Now the birds and humans seem to enjoy the tilapia but there are too many small fish in the river and perhaps too many fish period.  Regardless, the fish are good fried, broiled, baked, stewed, marinated, and raw (according to the herons).

Bill fishing at Alligator Point

If Bill's love is fishing, mine is bicycling so early on I began to explore the back country on bicycle.  As we often work different shifts there is time to explore the 39 miles (give or take a few) of trails.

Ranch House Road

The back roads are beautiful, sometimes sandy, often grassy, and rarely shady.  Remember, this is the Myakka Dry Prairie.  However, there are occasional man-made improvements that can put a damper on your ride, consider the flood control 'ditch' below. 

A unmarked water hazard
called Flood Control

 I happened on this but luckily had a 5 minute warning from cyclists who had just crossed this in the other direction.  They carried their shoes and bicycles... being a bit less brave I removed my socks but walked through in my shoes and carried the socks and bicycle.  The water was above my knees and the distance about 30'.  

Warm day for cycling the back country

Still, it was a hot day so the wade felt good and luckily there were no gators or snakes who wanted to join my party.  The remainder of the ride back to our new home in the Volunteer Village was scenic and uneventful.  

Slippery the cat
Relaxing at home
After MY bicycle ride