Having been on my own for over two decades now, I sometimes experience emotional difficulties on “family” holidays. After escaping from my frenetic household setting, I headed to the woods, my church. I find solace and emotional healing in the ancient presence of big trees and Bulow Woods has some big trees, oaks and pines soaring to 70+ feet above the forest floor. It was just what I needed.

Today I started from the southern end of the 6.7 mile Bulow Woods Trail, at the Fairchild Oak parking lot. This relatively undeveloped state park has a parking area, picnic shelter, bathroom and a couple of trails including the one I set out on.

I’ve hiked this trail a couple of times already in the five months I’ve been back in the area. The first couple of times the trail was extremely muddy in places, so I wore lightweight hiking boots with lug soles for grip. If the trail is dry, a good pair of hiking sandals is adequate, but due to the excess rainfall this winter, mud has been the rule in a few spots. This is, after all, Florida… and before the Europeans intervened, basically swamp land with coquina islands in places, especially close to tidal marshes and the ocean.

From the south end, the trail is basically an old forest road. I think the area may have been farmed as a pine plantation in the early days of European settlement. Pine sap was boiled to create pine tar, which was used to seal wooden boats and ships in the day. Indigo and sugar was also grown in the area until the Bulow plantation was burned out during the Seminole War in 1836. Some of the trees in the area are quite old. Fairchild Oak is over 600 years old.

As I came up on the swampy area, I noted some helpful fellow hikers had laid down a pathway of saw palmetto fronds over the muddy spots, making the passage a lot easier. There were still a few more mud patches on the straight stretch to Cedar Creek, but nothing too difficult.

After crossing Cedar Creek, I thought I might tackle the little loop trail in the middle section. The last time I had attempted it, I either lost the trail or there was downfall preventing my finishing the entire loop.

You will note this trail is marked “Difficult”, not due to elevation, but because if you’re not careful it is easy to lose the trail which is basically a dip in the leaf mold, wandering through the open woods. Having hiked for 40+ years now, on and off, I was up to the challenge and eager to see if I could accomplish finishing the loop.

The forest is very open in spots, meaning the mature trees shade out most of the undergrowth like saw palmetto, holly, and blueberries. Still, since the woods are also full of snakes, it isn’t wise to go traipsing through them without being very aware of where you’re placing your feet.

As you can see, the path is quite evident to those who are paying attention and is periodically marked with red squares on some of the big trees.

In other areas, the encroaching scrub defines the path.

Eventually, I successfully completed this loop and made my way to my fav peninsula for a rest break and snack. No one was there. With an air of deep gratitude I sat down in the partial shade and took out a couple of nibbles. It was my breakfast; I don’t eat a lot these days out of choice. It’s amazing how well the body responds to not being heavily burdened with a lot of food.

I snapped a couple of photos in the area and noted a cloud of white butterflies… I guess they’re called Florida Whites (Appias drusilla). I only know there were clouds of the butterflies all around, along with the occasional annoying fly, gnat, or dragon flies.

The white flutterbies were particularly attracted to the white Brazilian Pepper flowers.

Here was the view from my snack spot, right above Bulow Creek. Birds were scarce this time, but…

I did see this handsome fellow just as I was leaving…

On the way back crossing Cedar Creek, the water was mirror-like, reflecting the white puffy clouds above.

Just some random tall Sabal palms on the way out…

I encountered five people going in and about 10-12 coming out. And I spent probably close to an hour completely alone… something I always enjoy as being alone in a heavily populated area is getting to be a rarity.

I did note some other birds, especially the sounds of woodpecker diligently working away on rotten trees, a brawny cardinal loudly proclaiming its territory, and assorted other warbles and calls. I am not a bird expert. This trail is an All-American Bird Trail.

After passing four people near the muddy corner… people who looked plainly confused and tired… and surprised I was walking alone… I walked out at a good pace, just encountering another family group starting the trail. Although flat, the trail has its own peculiarities and I think folks who are not used to hiking are surprised at some of its mild challenges. I think I did manage to hike between 6 – 7 miles today and wasn’t tired at all. It was a good feeling.

The feelings and thoughts that had begun to arise earlier in the walk had worked their way through my body and out. I have always found a good long walk was the best therapy for me and being out in the midst of a beautiful natural setting is a bonus.

I hope everyone has enjoyed their Sunday, whether or not they partook in the traditional Easter festivities or chose to forgo them. I do not as a rule have much involvement in what I term commercial holidays. I do, however honor Yeshua for his beautiful message he attempted to give to a humanity who wasn’t quite prepared to hear it.

The kingdom of God is within you, he said. My father is not your god, he said. The church fathers had an agenda; they wanted to control humanity and so inverted and subverted much of what Yeshua actually taught, something you discover when you access the older versions of the Bible. However, that is a topic that must be covered by someone with more experience, someone like Corina Pataki, who will be interviewed soon by Elena Danaan on her YouTube channel.

When I walk or sit in Nature, immersed within its naturally high frequency, I feel Peace and harmony within. It suits me and why I find my steps repeatedly heading to find the tall trees and their shady hammocks.

Go in Peace. Walk in grace. The Kingdom does exist within and that’s where you need to discover it.

Eliza Ayres

https://sunnysjournal.com

P.S. If you don’t mind, I’m going to refrain from posting any more today out of respect for the day’s energies.

❤ ❤ ❤

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