1/31/13

Magical Myakka

 

Hot, crowded and cramped were the adjectives that I used to describe our arrival on a Sunday afternoon.  Now, with the weekend sightseers gone, magical is a more appropriate description.  Myakka River State Park is located east of Sarasota, 8 miles west of I-75, and it is one of the oldest and largest state parks in Florida.  A nature lover’s dream park with biking, hiking, kayaking, birding and fishing. 

The Myakka River winds through the middle of the park for 17 miles.  The river (which looks like a creek to this southerner) is full of alligators and birds.  It’s surrounded by a prairie of grasses, ancient live oaks, palm trees and Spanish moss.  There are 3 small campgrounds and we landed in Big Flats, located in the middle of the park. 

A short path takes us from camp to the lake and the busy area of the Myakka Outpost which sports a gift shop, kayak rentals and a boat tour.

Myakka Outpost

Myakka Outpost

myakka river

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Site 21 Big Flat cg

Time to paddle

The Myakka was calling us!  Excited, we got an early start and put on the river before 9 AM.  It was decided to paddle upstream as far as we could and relax on the return trip.  Neither of us knew what to expect…except alligators and birds.  The still water reflecting the blue sky and the old oaks astonished us at every turn.

Myakka River

Myakka River

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As we traveled upstream the river would narrow, the banks closing in on us, and then it would stretch out widening like a small lake.  In one of the narrow channels, an alligator floated in the center with only his midsection above water.  Sending my brave husband to go first, I followed, paddling as hard as I could!  I expect alligators to sink down under the water when humans approach….this guy knew he was king of the river and we were trespassing.

Saw lots of birds….I was hoping for a roseate spoonbill as they inhabit the park but just the usual ospreys, herons and egrets were seen.

The lack of a reliable internet signal got me depressed yesterday.  Went into some kind of a funky mood, feeling lost and cut off from those I care about.  Woke in the middle of the night, turned on the cell and had a solid signal from 1 to 3 AM!  Got caught up on my favorite blogs, news, weather reports for the different cities I follow and Facebook.  Woke up happy this morning!

I wanted to see the ocean again so we took off this afternoon for Turtle Beach, a very small beach just south of Siesta Key.  It’s hot so I took my bathing suit.  After the first wave hit my ankles I realized why no one was in the water.   Still had a great time walking on the sand and looking at the waves.

Turtle Beach

Siesta Key intercostal water

Found a great kayak launch just across from Turtle Beach.  We could put in and travel up the intercostal waterway!

A cold front is coming tomorrow and the highs will be 15 degrees lower!  I am secretly looking forward to a little cooler weather…say around 70. 

We have just a few more days here…not sure where we are heading next.

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14 comments:

  1. Love that footprint in the sand. The water is so glass-like. Take care in that cold-front. Been wrecking some havoc down south. We got the snow end.

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  2. Currently the cold front has the temperature around 60 degrees.... these Floridians have little tolerance for cold. Someone wearing earmuffs walked past our camp this AM!

    Always enjoy hearing from you!

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  3. What a magical post....makes me all fuzzy inside thinking about what's on our horizon. Checked out the state park....NICE! Especially nice, the surprise extra bars in the wee early morning :O) bless your heart!

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    1. I am excited for you when I think of the wonderful times in your future! Hope all the transitions go smoothly.

      This is a special place....huge with so many different animals. Owls in the trees at night, just over our site hooting the "who cooks for you" and hawks taking their place during the day.
      Always love hearing from you!

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  4. Yes, your post was magical...great photo's...especially the second, third and the footprint.....I think I may spend my early fall in Florida....Happy Trails...Horst

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    1. Thank you.....do check out the average temps before you come here. Normally it's humid and feels very different than the hot temps more westerly.

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  5. Absolutely stunning photos, Lynne!!! So glad you are having such a wonderful time!

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    1. Thanks, Sharon! You know I always love to hear sweet words about the photos.
      Glad you are home, safe and sound!

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  6. Love your photos. Turtle Beach is a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of Siesta Key. And Myakka is one of our favorite Florida parks; we are looking forward to a week there in mid-Feb. at Old Prairie CG. Always a couple of other Casitas and Scamps there :)

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    1. We did not see any Casitas or Scsmps and I forgot to publish the pict of an interesting egg from Canada...an Outback made by Trillium.

      Know you will have a great time as it is truly an amazing place.

      Thank you for commenting and the the mention of the photos!

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  7. Wow! Looks like another place to put on the bucket list. I'm envious of all that calm paddlin' water.

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    1. And I am envious of you being surrounded by open skies,dry air and plentiful sunshine!

      I am truly missing being in the desert this winter but enjoying the lushness of the green palmettos and the clear waters of the springs.

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  8. Looks like an awesome place for kayaking. Thanks for the beautiful photos!

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    1. It is a great kayaking place! We went upstream instead of down and entered a world of nature that many do not see. As we were leaving I realized that we could have had an easier paddle if we had gone downstream.

      Thank you for your comment! And the complement!

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