Home Sweet Swamp... er Home

It is true that much of Florida is a swamp regardless what the land developers tell you. 

Cypress, Iris, and Palmettos
Good indicators of a swamp

Even natives and long-time residents forget this fact until a good rain then the coastal residents gloat at their wisdom of home site selection.

Road several hours after a day of rain

Myakka River State Park is no exception. The park is about 20 miles east of the Florida gulf coast with sandy areas, lakes, rivers, and muck that quickly becomes swamp in a good rain.

Lush undergrowth after a rain
Cypress 'home swamp'

The volunteer village, the place where resident volunteers live during their stay, appears to be high and dry. The site is dry and tolerates gentle rains without any change but let it rain for an hour or so and it is a different story. The rain channels off your trailer and sits near the front door so soon every item left out is damp. 

Home several hours after a long rain

 After several hours of steady rain a river appears on the sand/gravel road and one can hear the cypress trees across the road breathe a sigh of thanks.

Cypress 'home swamp' when dry

Yes, cypress loves damp feet. So walking across the road from our site one drops down a foot or so onto a muck area filled with cypress and bright green small plants, moss, and air plants. I have become familiar with the swamp as it is the closest place to walk the cat. 

When we go out, 95% of the time she heads across the street to the dry swamp. 
But when it rains and the ground gets very wet

Do I look happy in this mess?

it is best to stay home... high and dry.

Yes, indoors today

Hike to Mossy Hammock at Myakka River State Park

Sunday morning and we have the day off. What to do?

Well, there are 39+ miles of official trails in this park and the Mossy Hammock trail was yet unconquered.

Small insect along the trail
And was I ever glad it was small!

And, it had been a week or so since the last hike into the back country at Myakka River State Park and this was a perfect morning for a walk.   Well, in truth, I had walked a small section but not to the Mossy Hammock campground.  Yes, this was the walk for today.

Mossy Hammock Trail

Having only a few hours we set off at Fox High Road, one of my favorite roads in the park, and were quickly on the foot trail. Sorry, bicyclists this trail is reserved for hiking.

Through the wooded canopy

In this area the trail passes through a heavy canopy of leaves and rambles along a stream that eventually feeds into the Upper Myakka Lake. Being spring the birds were chirping while butterflies and insects darted through the brush. From this trail head, the walk to Mossy Hammock trail is relatively short and with the beautiful trail we arrived almost before we started.

Interesting fungus along the trail
Note the algae(?) on the white mushroom

After a brief stop at the back-packcamping area we continued along the trail. After a bit the terrain changes and the trail enters the Florida dry prairie, an area of scrub palmetto and short oaks. 

The Florida Dry Prairie
on the trail

 Here the Red Shouldered Hawks, Eagles, and Kites soared overhead while the Black and White Sparrow, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Mockingbird, and other song birds entertained us at eye level.  Showy small flowers dotted the ground along with a few larger prairie offerings.

Bell-like flowers in the palmettos

Fetterbush(?) in Bloom
on the Dry Prairie

Not wanting a long walk we opted to return on the broader service roads which offer less shade but equally interesting views. It is amazing that we returned on my favorite roads Fox Low which meets Fox High at sharp angles (better slow down for the turn).

Fox Low Road

 Better yet, return to Fox High from Fox Low on the hiking trail that joins the two roads nearer the park road.  The narrower trail provides opportunity for additional photos and a relaxed return to 'society'.

Along the return trail that joins
Fox Low and Fox High roads

Early Spring at Myakka River State Park

Last week marked the second week of March and an excellent time for another visit to Alligator Point (pdf map) in Myakka River State Park.  The route starts on the park boundary road where we encountered a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers making a  home in a power pole.

Nest, look closely for the bird's head

After .8 miles you find Alligator Point, a peaceful and relaxing bend in the river.  From there we continued down the road to the first power line and followed an old trail

Powerline 'trail'

to the river where we could walk along the shore line.  

Myakka River, marsh view

Marsh flowers

Orange Blossoms from an old orchard

Following an occasional animal trail we traversed the marsh and back through the woods to the main road.  

Following the animal trails

But what I most wanted to share were the wonderful spring flowers.

But watch for the 

poison ivy in bloom

Jiggs Landing, a Manatee County Park

Always seeking a side trip we stopped by a Manatee County park named Jiggs Landing on our return from the Linger Lodge. Parks are always a delightful surprise whether you find a swing, boat ramp, or a waterfall. Jiggs Landing was no exception.

Jiggs Landing on the Braden River

Manatee County acquired the land as a water shed and restored (as much as possible) the area to the 1950 version of Jiggs Landing which teamed with fish and wildlife. 

Now Jiggs was Alphonso “Jiggs” Metcalf who with his wife, Agnes, developed this neck of the Braden River.  They acquired the land in 1944 to build a fishing camp with a dock, boat launch, store, cafe, and cabins. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jiggsmaggie.jpg 

They must have been characters as Al and Agnes adopted the nicknames for themselves, Jiggs and Maggie, from the "Bringing Up Father" comic strip popular in the 1940s.

Mallard enjoying Jiggs Landing

We spent an hour or so touring the park, reading the kiosks, and absorbing the views of the river, the boardwalk, and nature.  It was a peaceful time on the bend in the river viewing the water, water fowl, and songbirds. 

Yellow Rumped Warbler

The spot was so peaceful and memorable that it inspired a new song... which I believe relates Al (Jiggs) and Agnes (Maggie) and their dream.

Turtle at Jiggs Landing

Jiggs and Maggie 

(c) Marg Chauvin, 2014

(Chorus which repeats after each verse)

Jiggs and Maggie made a fish camp

In 1945

They preserved a bit of Florida

And kept their dreams alive

They explored Manatee County

For a place wild and free

A bend in the Branden River

Beckoned them to stay

So, they cleared seven acres

Then settled with the bank

Jiggs, he built a sturdy cabin

10 by 20 feet

This little cabin had a no kitchen

No bathroom too

By 1950 there was plumbing

Maggie had painted it blue

Now Jiggs built three more cabins

The porches were screened

Maggie made them pastel colors

For guests to rent

People came from all around

To this rustic camp

Snow birds, locals, families, fishers

Seeking a retreat

After 60 years it became

A Manatee County park

This little landmark known as

Jiggs Landing

Yes, Jiggs and Maggie built a fish camp

In 1945

They preserved a bit of Florida

And kept their dreams alive

Paddling the Braden River and Linger Lodge

In late February a several Myakka River State Park Volunteers took a paddle on the Braden River. Our launch point was the Linger Lodge which boasts a campground, RV park, canoe/kayak launch, and a fine restaurant. Every since arriving in the area we had heard, “You must visit the Linger Lodge.” Thus it took little persuasion from Ellen and Dave to make this trip. 

Five of us set in on a slightly overcast but warm day, the aforementioned Ellen and Dave along with Tom in kayaks and Bill and I in our trusty canoe. It was a nice 4-5 mile paddle along the gently moving river which revealed the typical southwest Florida scenery of oaks, marshes, wading birds, and a few homes.

From Linger Lodge website

At the conclusion of this trip we dined at the lodge. Luckily we returned around 11:15 AM and ready by 11:30 when they opened because the lodge was packed by 11:50 AM. The menu revealed the typicalsouthwest Florida selection and then some: local fish, gator stew, seafood gumbo, soup, salads, burgers, home-made potato chips, and sweet tea. Of course there were items created specifically for the lodge.  

I should mention the Road-Kill Menu which is presented with a straight face but upon reading the menu you quickly realize this is all in jest.  The menu was a result of the first owner's love of the unusual and the taxidermy collection.

From Linger Lodge website

A little history on the lodge: 

Linger Lodge began as a campground in 1945. Frank and Elaine Gamsky came down from Milwaukee, Wisconsin with their family and purchased Linger Lodge in 1968. The Lodge features a few rare and unusual "Florida Animals" among its collection. The Jackalope sits in its case not far from a Blue Billed Ortholock. The Alaskan Fur Fish is also on display. Frank was an avid animal lover, and promotes the protection of animals as one of our most important natural resources.

The ambiance matches the food and service... excellent. So take the advice we were given, “You must visit the Linger Lodge.”   

An Excursion to Coastal Bradenton

Anywhere you travel in Florida, you are certain to find a park:  nature, recreational, historical, community centers.  These areas are managed by many different organizations:  cities, counties, the state, US government, water management, power companies, nature organizations, hunting clubs, environmental groups, and more.  

On this trip we visited DeSoto National Memorial, is managed by the US National Park System, and Robinson Preserve, managed by Manatee County.

Reconstructed Military Camp

DeSoto National Memorial is truly a step back to an earlier time.   The property is on the banks of the Tampa Bay with moss draped oak trees, manicured lawn, a sandy shore, and a reconstructed fortification.  

View of Tampa Bay

Background from the park website instructs us "In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting their homelands. De Soto’s quest for glory and gold would be a four year, four thousand mile odyssey of intrigue, warfare, disease, and discovery that would form the history of the United States."

Recreated structure at the memorial

Strolling the grounds is peaceful so take the short nature trail that borders the bay.   Not so peaceful but educational is the 20 minute video on the history of the area and DeSoto's travels.  This is a must see if you want to understand the Spanish influence and interaction with the native Americans.  Afterwards, take a stroll to the fortification for a ranger lead first person history lesson.

Yours truly at the park

As we were in the area it was a short drive to Robinson Preserve which is "A 487-acre mosaic of mud flats, mangrove swamps, and beaches, Robinson Preserve is a testament to the spirit of Aldo Leopold. Formerly farmland in a district of Bradenton known for its tropical plant nurseries, this expanse of waterfront habitats has undergone extensive restoration, from removal of invasive species to re-creating tidal creeks and basins nourished by the rise and fall of Tampa Bay."  From http://www.floridahikes.com/robinson-preserve

View from the Observation Tower

The preserve is a wonderful return to nature of agricultural lands with canoe-able mangrove trails through native vegetation that winds along the Tampa bay.

Mangroves along the canoe trails.

And as we hiked the several miles of trails the landscape so resembled my last yard in Lantana, FL.  I guess we achieved a Florida yard at that long-gone house.  When in the area, stop at both parks... you will not be disappointed and you may avoid the traffic snarl on AnnaMarie Island.

Was this my previous home in Lantana
Or Robinson Preserve?

Views of Myakka River State Park: Animals, Flowers, Trails, and Fleeting Moments

It is amazing how much happens at Myakka River State Park.  One guest said "The most interesting animals are the primates".  And he had a point (see below) as we have quite an assortment of primates at the weekly coffee hour.

Bill & Marg playing at
Weekly Coffee Hour

But there is so much more to see, not only can you observe birds, gators, and snakes...

Immature Ibis

Wading birds on the
Nature Trail Pond

Snake (Water Moccasin)
on the Nature Trail

There are deer, and hogs.

Doe on the Prairie

Remains of a hog dig
Hogs are quite disruptive

Not to mention the budding floral show.  Yes it is still early for flowers but this is only the beginning.

Southern Blue Flag

Blue eyed grass

Spider Lily

So, today I will leave this photo gallery of Myakka River State Park with a few snapshots of the park.

Clay Gulley

Late afternoon on
Ranch House Road

Prairie late evening