It was Christmas Eve and I wanted to go on a hike. I chose to go to two of my favorite coastal spots, River to Sea Preserve and Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. All total my hiking mileage would be about 3.5 to 4 miles, including a wander around the gardens.

Of course, I chose walks through a hammock environment, with huge oak branches overhanging the sandy walkway, festooned with wild grape, Spanish moss, and ferns. The spiky trunks of Sabal Palm lined the walk, along with ferns, Saw Palmetto, Red Bay, Beauty bush and the stiff branched Yaupon Holly.

With all of the recent storms and heavy surf, the beaches are currently hardly existent. And I didn’t want to get all sticky with salt spray.

The trail at River to Sea is about a one-mile loop. I also took a break at the picnic area that is adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway.

While seated next to the waterway, I was hoping to spot some dolphins, but I only heard some ospreys calling and a flock of seagulls wheeling across the graying skies. There was a storm beginning to roll in, although the weather was relatively calm (in the hammock) and warmish at 69 degrees F (20.5C). I also noted some heavy geoengineering, with HAARP signatures (repetitious linear clouds) and chem trails being laid down across the sky to deepen the cloud cover.

The occasional golden spray of hickory leaves were spotlighted by the gray and green hues of the hammock canopy. I love to see this kind of color in a state not known for autumn hues.

I believe this photo (see above) was taken at Washington Oaks Gardens. How can you tell, one might ask. The tidiness of the trail. The nature trail was carefully groomed and except for one stretch of mud, very well kept. I carefully picked my way along the muddy spot and after that had no issues with the footing.

After completing the 2.5 mile nature trail, I did a ramble around the more formal gardens in the state park. There were decorations suitable for the season, with poinsettias, bows, strings of decorations and white deer statues. The decorations were understated but lent a festive touch to the beautiful gardens.

The ancient camellias are beginning to bloom as can be seen above. The bushes are huge, standing well above my head. These would be an older Camellia Japonica species.

There were also some roses blooming in the Rose Garden. I sniffed one and decided the scent reminded me of my grandmother’s Hybrid Teas. What a beautiful pink rose!

Blue, green, red… the gardens are subtle, attractive, and well-laid out for walking.

Of course I took the loop that takes one down to the Intracoastal and sat on one of the benches. It is fun to watch the boat traffic go by.

The formal gardens use subtropical species, some of which are very old and robust. While the growth is somewhat jungle-like, the paths are wide and easy to walk on. There are several Sulphur springs in the garden with large ponds and bridges making the garden quite scenic, sited as they are with the overhead canopy of hardwoods and palm trees.

Here is one of the ponds reflecting the overhanging boughs of a massive oak tree.

My walk was nearly done as I headed back to the car. I loaded up and headed out onto A1A. The traffic had picked up midday, but it wasn’t too heavy considering it was a holiday. I drove back via US 100, got some gas and headed home. For those who might wonder, today I paid $3.15/gallon for petrol/gasoline. It’s actually cheaper than it was when I moved to north central Florida in October.

Christmas day is going to be quiet. We’re expecting a rainstorm to move in and give the area yet another soaking. Hopefully, I will get out on a walk but it will probably be one locally.

Best holiday wishes for all.

Eliza

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