Being from Georgia, I love being outside and hiking whenever I possibly can. I’m used to mountains and rocky terrain, which is hard to find in flat Florida, but I did finally manage to get out on a trail here.
I started with Flagler Trail because it was close to where I lived and the reviews were all relatively positive. It seemed like an easy hike which was what I needed, and I was promised a wide variety of habitats and terrain. However, that’s not what I got.
The drive to this trail was an easy one, and parking was very convenient. However, parking was across the street from the trail itself, so getting there was a hike of its own. Also, I hike to get away from reality and the stresses of whatever is currently going on in my life, so the fact that this trail was bordered by houses and roads was a little weird to me. It made me feel like I was hiking in my own backyard rather than spending time in nature.
Once I got on the trail, everything was very clearly marked. There was a pole every half mile indicating where you were, which is how I found out I was starting my hike on mile 4. I was promised a 3.5 mile hike in total, so I’m assuming that means the trail was supposed to be 7.5 miles long. Again, that’s not what I got.
I made it to mile 6 on my hike with no issues at all. Mosquitoes were making a meal of my arms, but the terrain was flat and smooth, which made for an uneventful, easy hike. There were river views here and there (the Econlockhatchee River, I’m assuming), and it was actually quite pretty for Florida swampland. However, at exactly the six mile mark, things got a little slippery.
On the left is where I stopped. There was a sign next to me that said “Bridge Out,” but the only evidence that there was a bridge at all was the one plank of wood I saw floating in the water. Obviously, I couldn’t continue in that direction. Luckily, the trail continued at another point, which is where I was at the picture on the right. I had a few steps of mud before that, too, was completely submerged.
I headed back towards where I started, and I found another small trail called Two Bridges. I call it small because it was meant to be a bike trail, so the path was very narrow. This trail was completely unknown to me, so I had no idea how long I was about to be walking. Luckily, the path was straightforward with no forks or places to get lost, so I felt comfortable stepping into that unknown. It was gorgeous in the beginning, with a bridge at the entrance for you to walk across. However, by the end of the second mile, every view was the same and I was getting BORED. Plus, I started hearing thunder at that point, so I knew it was time to dip.
Overall, this was a quiet, easy hike. It wasn’t as long as I was hoping for, but with the two mile trip one way and the little detour I snuck in, I still managed to turn this into a six- or seven-mile trek. I’m hoping to see more wildlife in my future hikes, and I hope to find a trail I can fully complete. This is a great path for families to take together or those who want to take a walk in nature rather than a hike.
Next Challenge: Find a trail with some hills or inclines. I’m used to mountains, but I’ll take what I can get 😂
Rachel's Healthy Habits 