Hello, Everyone.
Much has happened since I last posted. Last fall, I took several trips cruising the Caribbean and even visited the Panama Canal. Since I had previously toured many of the islands, I chose not to write about them again. And then the pandemic arrived and I canceled all travel plans. Though I do walk 6 – 8 miles daily walk around the community, I have been feeling cooped-up.
Recently, I read Travelled Far by Keith Foskett. (For my review, click here.) The book discusses the benefits of local hiking. I immediately decided to do the same and hike trails around Sarasota Florida. Though still flat, these unpaved trails would offer me relief from inner-city environs and the constant pounding on a solid surface.
My first adventure was to Red Bug Slough (pronounced SLOO) a broad, shallow channel filled with flowing water except in periods of extreme drought. In this marsh, there are many forms of wildlife, and my husband and I saw turtles, an alligator, red dragonflies, woodland ducks, egrets, and other waterfowl. Though we only saw shiners at the water’s edge, fishing from shore is permitted.
The preserve is only 72-acres but the hour-long walk was as wonderful as walking in a huge wilderness tract. The birds and bugs replaced the city sounds with soothing background noises. The soft and sometimes muddy earth enticed us to keep going. The oak forest and pine flatwoods provide cooling shade. And all of the “wilderness” within a few miles of home.
I will have to return when the summer’s wet season is over to visit some of the trails that were not accessible. For those who do not like walking on the grass and dirt, there is a paver block walkway along the southern boundary of the preserve, though we did not visit that.
