Bear Creek Canoe Trail

I have hiked many a trails. I have aimlessly wondered city streets.
I have never, until now, paddled an official canoe trail.

Let's go back to the beginning.  We have two 9ft Swifty kayaks made by Perception.  The swiftys have met our needs perfectly.  The boats are well suited to playing in a river or lake.  The cockpit is large and open so we can fit 1 adult and 1 kid in each boat.  This will absolutely be the last year we can pull off 2 people per boat.  The boys are getting bigger and the boats just don't track and paddle as well with 2 people in them. We will get to that in a moment.








We were camped at Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park when we decided to try our first official canoe trail.  We walked down to the Visitor Center and talked to a Ranger.  She informed us that some of the trails were closed due to low water conditions.  We chose Bear Creek because it was near the Flamingo Campground and it lead to Bear Lake, a decent fishing spot.

As we walked to the trailhead we could feel how different the habitat was from our own. The water looked shallow and golden brown. The air was heavy, thick really.  Mosquitoes buzzed in our ears. Epiphytes hung all around.  The trees and plants were unfamiliar. And the insects and animals were a total mystery.  We were honestly scared or at least out of our comfort zone.  But we are Team Mobley so we started paddling.











The trees hung low over the narrow creek.  We ducked our heads to avoid  hitting the beautiful plants dangling from the trees.  The smell was distinct.  It smelled rotten, like a nasty old potato. The water, brace yourself, looked like watered down baby poo. There is honestly no other way to describe it. As we paddled we were in awe of the spiders and there webs.  There were so many!

We started paddling in the early afternoon.  We packed some snacks but there was no place to stop.  The entire trail required our attention.  If we weren't paddling, we were running into spiderwebs or red mangroves.  By now the trail was feeling like this post, long and never ending! The creek was getting shallower and smellier.  It was more difficult to paddle as the water lessened and the mud increased.  We could only get 1-3inches of our paddles in the water without scooping up muck.  It seemed like we were paddling and going no where! No where! Our arms were pumped. Images of our family sleeping in the Everglades crossed my mind. How would I be brave as the darkness set in. How would I be brave for my kids when there were spiders all around.  I knew we were not lost on this canoe trail called Bear Creek.  I mean how could we be lost? There was a clear trail map at the put in.  The trail was straight.  There was one main waterway with only tiny impassable tributaries. Then again the trail we were on was close to impassable. Scary stories flooded my head.  In the midst of my stories James asks me if we are lost.  He was worried too? Fabulous! I better get my brain together. I took a deep breath and let the stories be just that, stories. I used one of my favorite techniques: acknowledge the story and then watch it float away on a cloud.  Man I miss yoga class, but I digress.

We agree we will paddle another 20 mins and if we don't get to the lake we will turn around.  We do not want to turn around. I know we must be so close!  Paddle, Paddle, Paddle. For every 5 paddles we travel a foot or two.      Finally we can see a small turn in the river that leads to the lake! LAKE! LAKE! As we entered the lake we were able to get out on a tiny beach.  The beach would be our fishing spot. Based on the trash picked up by our JR Rangers, others have fished here too.  Time for a snack and for fishing.

 

We caught nothing.  Not even a nibble. Lost a nice weight in the mangroves. Enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. The paddle back was almost as treacherous as the way in.  It was made easier just because we knew what to expect.  E and I paddled back together and created a lovely song to keep us occupied as we struggled through the muck.

Sung to Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Row, Row, Row Kayak 

with epiphytes above

liquid poo under you

and a gator or 2

(and repeat!)

Luckily we saw no gators! After reaching the parking lot, E and I took the boats and paddled the canal to the marina. James and T drove back.  The kids have been looking for the Florida Bigfoot, also called Skunk Ape.  As we paddled, E called out with his best Bigfoot call.  A few moments later we heard a call back! James and T had parked down the river and T had heard the call and responded!  It caught E and I off guard.  We all had a good laugh as the boys continued speaking to each other in Bigfoot language.  E and I paddled into the marina just after sunset. We loaded up the boats and headed to camp for dinner.

NPS Junior Ranger

The workbook gives us a chance to sit, read, and learn together.

It also gives us a chance to explore the parks together.

 The National Park Service has an awesome program called Junior Rangers.  The program is based on a workbook.  The parks create their own program but it usually consists of 6-12 activity pages and attending a ranger led activity.  As a parent, I love the program because it gives the kids a way to be engaged with the history and environment of each park.  The kids take ownership in our great parks when they know about them and how to care for them.  They share in protecting these American treasures.  The kids usually balk at the idea of another workbook.  They get into it after 1 or 2 activities and by the time they turn the completed book into a ranger they are so excited to show of what they learned.  A shiny Jr Ranger badge with the park name is a good incentive too! To be totally honest, I want a shiny badge.  I would make a good park ranger.  On that note, I've heard the program has been around long enough that some of the new rangers participated in the Jr Ranger program as kids. Awesome!







The boys completed the Everglades JR Ranger program and received their badges at the Shark Valley Visitor Center.  This ranger was so enthusiastic and full of knowledge.









If you know me, you know I'm a crier.  So when the boys are getting sworn in as Jr Rangers I listen but I have to look away or I will cry.  It is so sweet to hear them say they will protect, respect, appreciate, continue to learn about, and share the joys of our National Parks. I'm teary eyed just thinking about it. Big Cypress Visitor Center was the next park on our Florida Park tour. Notice I am looking at a brochure to keep from crying.

Biscayne National Park is almost totally underwater.  It was rainy, cold, and choppy seas the day we visited. Boo-Hiss. But we watched several park movies and played with all the touch table items before getting sworn in.  The boys also received a patch saying they completed all 3 Southern Florida Park Jr Ranger programs!

 Gulf Islands National Park is spread over 2 states.  We visited the Florida district. This swearing in was after a great ranger led tour of Fort Barrancas.  The ranger's dad was stationed in Pensacola Navy Station when the ranger was 10.  That was before it was a National Park and before it was restored. He used to play there as a child.  Awesome and informative tour!

In conclusion, if you have the opportunity to participate in Jr Ranger programs, do it! If not (or if you are an adult and you can't earn badges) check out the NPS Web Ranger Program.  WebRangers  A great way to travel the parks from home!

Base Camp Zephyrhills

In between our Florida adventures we relaxed at my grandparent's home in Zephyrhills area.  We just fit in the carport.

We ate, played cards, and played in the pool.  It was a welcome respite.

We also visited SkyDive City.  We sat in the field watching diver after diver float to the earth.  Some are fast and furious and skim the pond as they land.  Others gracefully float through the air like a leaf on an autumn day.   Either way watching the colorful parachutes appear out of the brilliant blue sky is always a fun time.

Poor Flamingo didn't make his landing.

One of the weeks we stayed in Zephyprhills, my uncle and aunt were also in town.  I am so very happy that I remembered to take a family photo! This was taken on Clearwater Beach.  We all rode together and that was half the fun!

But it isn't Disney! and that's okay!

Our family loves Harry Potter; the magic, the courage, the bravery, the friendship, the hardship, and the triumph. So after apologizing to Walt for skipping over him, we headed to Universal Studios- Islands of Adventures. Below is a brief synopsis of our day from each family member. And here is link to more photos universal pics

T (age 9)- At the Wizarding World of Harry Potter I got a wand.  It’s Harry’s wand and I got to ride a ride into Hogwarts. At the world of Harry Potter I got to drink Pumpkin juice.  I thought I would not like it but I liked it.  I could have a whole bowl of ice cream to myself! Pictures below weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee pure adrenaline weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeweweeeeeeeeeeeeeee we we wee.

E (age 11)- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was EPIC!! First thing is Universal had moving floors! Second they had great places to take photos, great themed areas, just amazing. One activity was called Posidion's fury, I loved it. And of course the best was Harry Potter world, I GOT A PICTURE WITH DOBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!! The tour of Hogwarts was crazy cool, a little scary though. Dragon Challenge was amazing.  I did lots of loops and drops, you will get really dizzy. I got a wand of the month for August, its a nice wand. We had lunch at the Three Broom Sticks, I got mac and cheese, and a cup of ice-cream, and butter beer (no alcohol), it was delicious. I did a fear lift, even though its called Dr.Dooms Fear Fall. A Spider-man ride in 3D, it was kind of like the Hogwart's ride/tour. 2 water rides, a ride where a pterodactyl flies you around. And there was a cave and jungle play area, I almost sprayed my Mom! And a bunch of other cool stuff. We rode about 10  rides and I could type for 1 day explaining, and there's probably 16 rides in Islands of Adventure, and that's one of 2 parks!! I could be explaining for weeks if I rode every ride in each park!

James- It was nice except for the overall cost. Actually, I really liked it. It was magical, not as magical as Disney, but a very fun time. The boys loved it. They lit up in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.   Dragon Challenge was my favorite ride. I really enjoyed watching them pick out and then buy wands.  It was an important thing for them. The employees played their roles as wizards and witches very well. Wish we could have stayed there longer.

















Anna- While I didn't like Universal as well as Disney, I did have a wonderful time.  Suess Landing was perfectly bizzare with funky landscaping and crazy colors. They went beyond my expectations. I left that area feeling alive and bouncy.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was filled with beautiful and authentic window displays, although I do wish some more of the stores would have been open if only as displays.  I would love to have walked through a store selling potions and magical plants!  And I would have loved to walk through Hagrid's Hut!  The castle interior was stunning. There were no lines (BONUS) and running through the queue felt like rushing down the halls on the way to potions class.  The Dragon Challenge is one of my favorite coasters EVER! Especially the red dragon. There is some exhilarating about riding a Chinese Fireball Dragon :)  I love it when the cast called us wizards and witches.  When the cast truly loves their roles, the whole experience is more transportive.  On to food; The Three Broomsticks was very helpful in picking out gluten free food and we just used our best judgments to stay away from rest of our intolerances.  Except for ice cream, Butter Beer, and Pumpkin Juice we ate pretty clean.  I am totally making butter beer and pumpkin juice at home.   
Luna Lovegood's wand chose me.  It is has a tulip shape on the handle and it will make a nice addition to my home.   Dork, I know but get over it.  Harry Potter is so much fun and everybody has a book or show they love a little too much ;)  Many of the rides in the park were 3-D or 4-D type experiences.  I get motion sick from them but they are always entertaining.  I almost forgot...my favorite purchase of the day, a 100% wool cardigan made in Scotland, with the Gyrffindor colors neatly surrounding the arms and waist.  LOVE IT! In fact, Summerland Key is cold today and I am wearing as I type. Overall it was a perfect day, warm but not hot weather, no lines, and plenty of time to ride everything we wanted twice! 

Canaveral National Seashore

We visited Cape Lookout National Seashore in May. It was windy and warm, salty and secluded.  It was magical.  So in an attempt to find the state of Bliss that we experienced on the shores of North Carolina we headed to Canaveral National Seashore.

 A quick call to the Visitor's Center reserved us 1 of 2 beach front walk in sites; the only other campsites are accessible by boats and located in the backcountry.  Seagrass and shells lined the beach, a boardwalk guided us over the dunes, and fishermen greeted us on the ocean side.  The lagoon side of the barrier island was filled with dolphins, birds, and more fishermen!

We stayed a total of 5 nights. The main difference between here Cape Lookout is accessiblity.  Cape Lookout is isolated and requires a ferry ride and at least a 1/2 mile walk; while Canaveral is on the edge of a tourist town and a 1/4 mile walk from the parking area.  If we forgot something we could walk to the car or drive to the store at Canaveral.  There was also a difference in wildlife, as in we saw a lot more at Canaveral.  Here comes a list:

1. Dolphin
2. Gopher Tortoise
3. Armadillo
4. Butterflies
5. Birds
1. Osprey
2. Gulls
3. Pelicans
4. Terns
5. Cardinals
6. Scrub Jays
7. Willets
8. Roseatte Spoonbills
9. Ducks
10. and many more
6. Man O'War Jellyfish
7. Oyster Reefs
8. Raccoons
9. Manatee
10. Alligator
11. Ghost crabs
12. Fish
1. Pompano
2. Blue fish
3. Mullet
4. Whiting

Oh and I almost forgot...a baby scorpion! It had been living under our tent! Arghh! T wanted to pick it up, I wouldn't let him. 

The sand is so hard and I, Anna, refused to carry in a sleeping pad.  I slept on and off all night but I would awake to waves crashing, stars in the sky, and beautiful sunrises. Okay if we are being honest the HARD sand woke me a few times but the no see-ums and mosquito bites woke me up every night. Florida insects are vicious!  By dusk we had to be in Love Dove with the windows shut and stay there until after dark, otherwise, we were eaten alive.  So we made dinner and hung out then walked back to the tent by the light of a new moon. Which means we used our headlamps and our senses.

Our nightly walks afforded us the opportunity to see Ghost crabs.  Ghost Crabs come out at night and they lined the beach at Cape Lookout.  Here they were less plentiful but still funny and evasive.  E, our resident kid sized Bear Grylls, picked them up with no fear.  He generally likes the things that fascinate but creep me out.  On the first morning I awake to a brilliant sky. E woke up shortly after and we each sat quietly on the beach memorized by the rising sun.  We both felt compelled to be silent and just observe.

I definitely had more fear of the ocean during this trip.  Each fisherman told of catching sharks. Most don't want sharks as they are time consuming to reel in and tricky to prepare well.  Nonetheless it isn't hard to catch one.  There are also so many beautiful and graceful jellyfish.   The fear certainly stems from scary media stories and lack of knowledge. I strongly believe a little fear is a good thing as long as it is little and keeps you safe but not sheltered.

Finally on our last night, after days of watching the fisherman, we became fisherman.   At the local hardware store we purchased 2 reels, licenses, and bait and then headed back to the ocean.  We had a great system and a lucky first night. I would bait the hook (shrimp, clams, or sand fleas, aka mole crabs), James would wade into the surf and cast, and the boys would watch the lines.  Much to our chagrin--NOT!, we caught 4 Pompano, 2 Blues, and 3 Whiting.  It was fun, fast paced, and rewarding!

 



 I cleaned and filleted the fish in the bus because the mosquitoes were in full force.  The Pompano is an easy to fillet fish, the other 2 were trickier. I had never filleted a fish before but thanks to Google and James' Dad we had mostly bone free fish for dinner and enough Pompano fillets to take back to Grandma and Grandpa Raven's house.  The next morning reality struck; fish don't always bite and sometimes they just steal your bait.  Didn't catch a thing and neither did the other fishermen. It was a good short run and we will try fishing again in the Florida Keys.

All in all it was a lovely 5 days on the beach. We did a side trip to Daytona Beach, where we got the bus stuck in the sand! The beach patrol had us out in 3 shovel scoops.  We also spent a day exploring a Melbourne climbing gym and Merritt Island National Wildlife Preserve.   If you are looking for beach camping without too much work, Canaveral is the place to go. If you want more secluded then Lookout has more possibilities.

Happy Birthday Mom :)