Feb 17, 2015 We have signed up at the park to go on a 1 1/2 hour Ranger led hike on the Curry Hammock State Park Nature Trail. The trail head is almost a mile from the campground. We ride our bikes. Thank goodness, I have my new Huffy! Remember this is February … bring plenty of water, wear bug spray and sensible hiking footwear. Doesn’t sound like back East does it?
One of the things that we have learned in our travels … National Park and Florida State Park Rangers are AWESOME. No matter what level of comprehension you have of nature you will learn something from attending a Ranger Program.
Today is hot, humid and sticky. I have on hiking boots that I wear in 10 degrees below zero or 100 degrees above. I am prepared. When we were out west a few years back a Ranger told us that 90 % of tourist accidents are from wearing inappropriate footwear. First thing we walk through is muck. It hasn’t rained here in a long time. Where does it come from? The bay of course. We are maybe 5 ft above sea level. Then we walk out onto rotting sea weed, to a coral rock formation. Thank You … trusty hiking boots. The “ladies” that wore their sandals are left high and dry!
Next Ranger Bob gives us our one and only “Warning”. No, it’s not alligators. It is the “Poisonwood Tree”. Ranger Bob asks “Who has had a reaction to poison ivy?” There isn’t a person in the group that hasn’t. Well this is the “Tropical” version times 10. He points out this tree that is right along side the trail. A few years back my 13 year old grandaughter and 11 year old grandson came to The Keys with me. We hiked the Curry Hammock Trail. How did we ever walk the 1 1/2 mile trail without any of us touching one of these trees??? Thank You God for looking out for us 😉
Along with sharing his knowledge of the area and trail flora and fauna, Ranger Bob has a sense of humor. He points to one tree, it has a green base and is shedding a flaky red outer layer. It’s really known as the Gumbo Limbo Tree, but he says “it’s better known as the Tourist Tree … green but after staying in the sun to long peals and sheds it’s burnt skin”. I thought that was funny. Who hasn’t visited Florida and not gotten sunburn?
We hiked out to the Florida Bay and back. Our 1 1/2 hour hike was more like two. It was great hiking in the nice shady hammock.
Cousins John and Nancy came to catch some rays and enjoy the park with us. I got to take my first cameleon photo and missed an iguana. He was too quick for me.
E T’s nose always has coral dust on it. She has been trying to catch a cameleon, but they are to quick for her. I actually think it would be funny if she did catch one. She would be in total shock. She’s having lots of fun.
Again, the day flies by. Tomorrow there is “talk” of rain. The main topic of conversation here is the weather. If it’s another day like today, kayaking is on our agenda. If it rains, it’s errands and shopping. I’ve mentioned lots of positive reasons for liking RV-ing. A couple of negatives are … no maid service and shopping and preparing your own meals.
