Up at the R.S., we all got out to see the exhibits (and the gift shop, of course. Always the gift shop...). When we got inside, there was a sign posted inviting visiting children to do their Jr. Ranger program. The kids got their books and the Ranger advised us to hurry up and hit the trails, especially the canopy trail if that was our plan, because a storm system was moving in. Ok, exhibits and gift shopping will have to wait. Time to take a hike!
We definitely wanted to hike the canopy trail and climb the towers, so that's where we started.
Tristan's mission for the day was to spot a wild turkey (?). He was very serious about it and kept scolding us for not being quiet enough (sorry little man, we can be a bit much sometimes...). Taking matters into his own hands, he would run as far up the trail ahead of us as he could without getting into trouble (aka not out of my sight) and then stop. Scan the woods for turkeys. And just before we could catch up to him (and scare off all the turkeys) he would take off again. A man on a mission ;).
Pretty...
Before long, we came to the canopy walkway portion of the trail.
It's basically two wooden towers with a suspension bridge in the middle that gives you access to the treetops and far, far above...
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| the air plants were so neat! |
We climbed the shorter tower, crossed the bridge that was nestled amongst the tree tops, then climbed the rest of the way up the tallest tower. The view at the top was amazing...
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| if you look close, you can see the suspension bridge |
...for 5 of us. First thing Tristan said..."oh MAN! I'll never see a turkey from way up here!". Oh yes, the turkey mission...back down we go...
The trail went just a little farther before it spit us out back at the parking lot and our car. Which meant a very disappointed little boy because - no turkeys. *tip-if you're short on time and just want to climb the towers, enter and exit the trail from the back end...it'd be way shorter!* Back at the car, we got out our map and agreed upon the most birdiest looking spot and headed off on the hunt.
The drive through the park is stunning. Seriously. If you go fast, you will miss all the little things. Put your windows down, go slow, and take it all in...
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| deer... |
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| pretty air plants... |
We stopped at the bottom of the lake to get out and see if we could find any birds. Specifically turkeys and roseate spoonbills. We walked along the banks, looking...
Nope, no birds. Bird tracks, but no birds. We spotted a boardwalk looking thing through the trees on the other end of the water from where we were, so we went down there to check it out...
Found a snake...
...watched the Spanish moss, dancing on the breeze...
...but again, no birds. Back to the car and one last effort to find the birds. This last place was towards the opposite boundary of the park and called the Birdwalk, so maybe this would be it ;)! Before we got out of the car, we all agreed to be on our best behavior and walk slowly and quietly as not to disturb the birds (or the people viewing the birds).
Look! Birds! White pelicans...
...roseate spoonbills...
...but no turkeys :(. The kids had fun using the scope to watch the spoonbills...they really are beautiful creatures. They were too far away to get a good picture, so you'll just have to google them or something for a better look. After a nice chat with some school teachers who were visiting from Maryland, we decided to head on back to the Ranger Station to finish up the Jr. Ranger books and see the exhibits, etc.
What a fun park! We had never even heard of Myakka before, and now I'm sure we will never forget it :). Someday I'd like to come back (in the winter!) and spend a few days in one of those cozy little cabins under the palms...
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