From our RV park it is about a 10 minute drive to the Banana Grove Road off Hwy 78 that leads to the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area. After another day in Bradenton last week, we were ready for some leg stretching exercise and that is where we went yesterday.
From the highway turnoff a sand road leads to the main parking area and FWC (Florida Wildlife Conservation) office. There are pavilions for picnics, and an observation stand overlooking the Fisheating Creek. At the interpretive kiosks are pamphlets of the Fort Center Trail Map and Recreation Guides.
Our dogs were excited to come along with us on the interpretive tail, sniffing and running enjoying themselves. Their pace slowed down a bit the further we went, as did ours. Now I knew it was a 4.5 mile trail and we had best intentions, even resting at several kiosks, reading up the legends on the boards, we gave up two thirds of the trail and turned around. Next time we will bring some water with us.
Of course our eyes were on the lookout for some wildlife. In the distance at the creek we saw ibis, egrets and herons and a hawk up in the trees. However this time there were no other creatures except for a lone cow lazily observing us and the dogs.
Back at the start of the trail we were rewarded with a photo opportunity of a suntanning alligator and while I stood there taking his photo, I got bit by a nasty bunch of ants crawling onto my feet and legs as I stood amid their nest. Boy did I jump! It was more than an unpleasant experience, I can still feel the itch, just thinking about it!
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| The brochure said to give the alligators some respect so I think no petting is recommended |
There is more to the Fisheating Creek. Another entrance to the recreational area is from Palmdale which also has a boat ramp. From there you could paddle downstream to Fort Center or to the channel to Lake Okeechobee, upstream are more campgrounds. There is also a campground and lots of opportunities for hiking. I am sure we will explore more of the area in the coming weeks.
Today I went to the Lakeport Community Sour Orange Festival, but that is for another blog post, so stay tuned.
Thanks for dropping in again!
A nice day except for the ants!
ReplyDeleteI'm still itching!
DeleteFire Ants are the worst for Bites. It could take weeks before the itch goes away.
ReplyDeleteStay Safe and Enjoy your adventures.
It's about time.
Oh my, I hope those bites don't itch that long.
DeleteLooks like a great place for you and the pups to explore!
ReplyDeleteThe bonus is that it's just around the corner, so we'll go back sometime.
DeleteI agree ... don't pet the alligators. Ants ... I have them all over my back yard. I dislike them immensely!!!
ReplyDeleteThe thing is there are supposed to be lots of big alligators in the Fisheating creek and people paddle it. Maybe the gators aren't aggressive but it would scare me.
DeleteGreat that you got out and about for some pleasant scenery viewing rather than a salvage yard, and were able to get Elsa and Reggie involved too. Bonus - it looks like it was a pretty day.
ReplyDeleteYup, these kinds of outings are more to my like. Hopefully we get to see more wildlife next time and it might depend on the time we go.
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That archeological site sounds fascinating. I think you should go back, take notes on the displays and tell us all about it - the ancient village, not the 19th century fort.
ReplyDeleteWhen the weather improves we will revisit that site. Wish we had or could use an ATV to get there ;-)
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