In the Woods

Another place I wanted to tell you about is the CREW Land & Water Trust. It is located in Collier County and can be accessed by SR 82 or Corkscrew Road south. Beautiful setting to enjoy the "real" Florida woods. You have your regular flatwoods with palmettos and pines and then you have oaks, marsh, slough and more flatwoods. The way it is set up, you pass through each stage gradually and enjoy the best of them all. Of course the mosquitos were bad, with the rain we have been getting but with the right repellant they were bearable. Spring or Fall would be GREAT for taking your time and spending the day. They have wide trails mown and some boardwalks through the swamp and slough area. Some of the trails are pretty primative but that also adds to the beauty of it. Definitely worth the hike and we will for sure be returning to see what we missed and revisit what we saw.

What a Ride!

Telegraph Creek is one of the most peaceful places. The current was running pretty good but it was an easy paddle. The plant life is mixed all the way down with pastures and woods on either side. That is after you get past the homes that have popped up in the area. Still it is very tranquil and very pretty. We encountered a few interesting things along the way. There was a small farm like place to one side that had some exotic animals, including zebras, llamas and from the sounds of it, parrots. We also came to pass some bee hives in a couple of dead trees. That was interesting!! Just be real quiet and pass by carefully!! LOL There was one small gator that went under as we approached but that was all we saw of those guys. The weather held out and was pleasant. Some sun but mainly shade from the oaks hanging over the creek. All in all it was a great trip that took about two to three hours. I want to go out there again for sure. Next time we will go the opposite way and check out the river.

Tomorrow it's off to Telegraph Creek in Lee County. It will be a nostalgic trip for me because I grew up in the area and used to swim in this creek as a kid. I remember the water being dark and fast in the summer. I also remember my brothers, with one on my arms and the other on my feet, throwing me into the water from the raft that we jumped from. Not too sure about my feelings on that memory though!! LOL Sometimes I think they may have been trying to do me in!! Anyway, we used to walk through the cow pasture and the woods to get to our "swimming hole" complete with a rope swing and giant oaks stretching over the water. We are going to paddle upstream and depending on how we feel when we get back, down stream to meet the Caloosahatchee. Should be nice. I hear it is a beautiful ride, I can't wait! I have to take pics with one hand but I will definitely have plenty. Til then!

Hello to You!

I am pretty new to this so I will start with letting you know a little about me. I am in Southwest Florida and enjoy the weather very much. I like to spend time in the outdoors hiking and taking pictures of just about anything except people and buildings. I much rather prefer the things that so many of us take for granted or never really think of at all. There is too much out there to miss and I intend to capture as much as I possibly can. My other half and I have just taken up kayaking and are really enjoying it. With these boats we can get closer to nature and see things that we can't otherwise. I tend to be a little apprehensive about the alligators but I am warming up to the idea of sharing space with them even if it is at a distance. So far, so good and I hope it stays that way. I have a lot of pictures and plan to, soon, put some on this blog to share. I also look forward to sharing my experiences with you as they happen and also some of my views on other things. I would also like to hear from some others that may share some of these interests and can offer some input. Until later.