Saturday, September 6, 2014

Florida Caverns State Park & Crooked Creek Trailhead

Florida Caverns State Park & Crooked Creek Trailhead
{March 22, 2014}

 On our arrival to Florida Caverns State Park, the Ranger told us that most of the trails were closed due to flooding. Only about .5-1 mile was accessible in the entire park. So instead of being defeated and making a semi-long drive home, we made the best of it. Until we encountered a few water snakes and/or cottonmouths (we did not stick around to find out). Our camera died half way through, so we apologize for the lack of pictures!

Since we got up so early for such a short hike, we decided to drive around until we found a hiking trail. We ended up on Highway 79 in Florida outside of Ebro & Panama City Beach at Pine Log State Forest. Our first State Forest trail hike! The Crooked Creek Trailhead had a restroom, which was pretty gross with a lot of crude writings on the wall. It also looked like it hasn't really been kept up.

The trail itself was quite narrow and allowed for us to hike single-file instead of side-by-side. It was sandy, and hot, and overgrown. Not a terrible hike, but not much to see. We heard the creek at some point, but since everything was so overgrown we decided to stay on the trail. If you are going on this hike, be aware that there are black bears in the area. We would suggest carrying a big can of mace. And be sure to watch where you step. Rattlesnakes are also common in this area. Thankfully, the only wildlife we encountered were a couple of Eastern Fence Lizards.

In the beginning..

Snail!

Flowers. Who can name them?

Hey..this isn't flooded!

Oh.

I see now.

Tunnel Cave signs.

Some pretties. Who can name this flower?

Michael being "Mr. Adventure" and going off the trail. I wasn't a fan of that.




-Mel & Michael
{The Hike Life: Husband & Wife}

Friday, March 21, 2014

Topsail Hill State Preserve: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida


Topsail Hill State Preserve: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
{February 15, 2014 Valentine’s Hike}

Michael and I woke up to get ready to leave for Santa Rosa Beach at around 5:00 a.m. He filled our camelbak bladders with water, and packed a granola bar, a protein bar, and an apple. Yes, an apple. One. One Apple. Singular.

If I had packed our camelbak’s, it would have included: Water, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Beef Jerky, Trail Mix, Granola Bars, and TWO Apples (You know, since there are two of us.). I did not realize our packs had the bare minimum until we were far into our hike. I panicked, slightly.

Bless him. At least he packed SOME protein.

We dressed pretty comfortably and in layers. It was fairly cool in the morning, so we both wore hoodies (which we shed by the end of the hike).
Michael (the husband), wearing jeans, light hoodie, Nike hat, Nike trail shoes, and camelbak.
Melissa (the wife), wearing jeans, Nike light hoodie, Fossil sunglasses, Nike tennis shoes, Camelbak, & Canon Camera
We arrived at the park 5 minutes before the gate opened (opens at 8:00 a.m.) The cost of admission into the park was $6 for one vehicle. That’s it. And for as great as this Preserve is, that is a steal. The park ranger at the entrance was extremely friendly and informative. He said that we would absolutely love the numerous hiking trails that they had, and supplied us with a map (The map was a stretched .jpg printed on some shiny paper. Basically, a Graphic Designer’s worst nightmare).
Trail Map

We parked in front of the bathrooms (very clean, by the way) and the tram. The tram is free and takes you all the way to the beach. It was tempting to take the tram, but decided that we wouldn’t be lazy and just begin our hike.

Before we really got started!
I am so thankful that we did! Not even a quarter of a mile into our hike (on the Turpentine Trail), we came across two beautiful White Tail Deer. We spooked the buck and he jumped away. Luckily, the trail was mostly sand. It allowed us to be stealthy to get closer to him. I got some great shots of the 8 point, and his little “button” pal. It was so exciting for me because it was the first time I had been that close to a wild animal of that size. We stood for a long time just watching them. They finally decided to walk off where we couldn’t follow. We had a great time looking at their fresh tracks, too.
White Tail Deer (Buck/Male)
White Tail Deer (Button/Male)
We continued on the Turpentine Trail until we came to a giant puddle blocking the trail (more like a mini lake). Michael tried to check out how far out the “puddle” went around the trail. Sadly, it went farther than the thick brush would allow us to venture. We had to turn around and find another trail to go to.

Michael vs. Nature

The Deer Track Trail was a great one to bird watch! We saw Blue Birds, Wrens, Rufous Sided Towhees, & Woodpeckers. We spent a lot of time just standing and listening to them.
 
Rufous Sided Towhee (male)
Rufous Sided Towhee (female)
Eastern Bluebird (female)

The Deer Track Trail & Campbell Lake Bike Path brought us to a lake, where we decided to take some photo ops of ourselves. It was a short trail, which was also blocked by some water.
Michael (the husband), being all handsome and stuff.
Me (the wife), being all weird.
The Beach Trail took us straight to the beach. You would not believe how many deer tracks we saw in the sand! They were everywhere! We passed by the one stall bathroom (which was out of order) and the picnic pavilion before reaching the beach. The beach was empty, and it was wonderful. Michael even drew our first “Mr. & Mrs.” in the sand!
Pretty much empty. Yay!
Awe! Not a trip to the beach until you write in the sand.
Hiked all the way to the beach!
We left the beach and started on the Growth Trail. There, we came across a Red-bellied Woodpecker and two Pileated Woodpeckers. We almost had to give up on this trail because there was another large body of water. We fashioned a small bridge out of large fallen limbs so that we could make it across the knee deep water. Wish we had taken a picture of it! I was too busy being scared the bridge would break.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpeckers (male & female pair)
 On the way to another lake, we saw some very fresh deer tracks and hoped to come across some more deer. We did! But unfortunately, we only heard loud thuds and bushes moving while they ran away.

We met a few other hikers (and some cyclists) along the trails. Some friendly, and some not so much. Here’s a tip...

Do: If you come across a trail that is impassable, and on your way back meet fellow hikers heading to said trail…save them some disappointment and be courteous enough to tell them that the trail is impassable.

Don’t: Make eye contact and say nothing.

We hiked all the way back to our car, coming across another lake close to the entrance with wood ducks. He and I both changed in the bathrooms into some nice clothes and headed to Lousiana Lagniappe, a delicious restaurant on a bay. He had Grouper Pecan and I had Grouper Almondine.  Both were absolutely delicious! We both ordered something we normally wouldn't get. It's becoming a tradition of ours when eating at new places!
Us at Louisiana Lagniappe.
His (Grouper Pecan)
Mine (Grouper Almondine)


It was the perfect ending to our “Valentine’s Day”.

-Mel & Michael
{The Hike Life: Husband & Wife}

Friday, January 17, 2014

Mawwaige.

We did it!
Michael and I tied the knot on January 4th. All of it is almost still a blur...the day went by so quickly! I am so thankful for family and friends that took pictures, and thankful we got it recorded. 
Both the ceremony and reception turned out even more perfect than I had planned for them to.  Most people said during the planning something like this: "There will most definitely be something you forgot or something that goes disastrous about your wedding, but you don't need to  stress about it because it won't matter on your wedding day!"
Nothing disastrous happened.  As far as I can tell, nothing was forgotten either. Our bridal party pulled together to help make it the most beautiful wedding we could have imagined. 
Below, I am going to post some photos of the wedding, reception area, bridal party, etc. They aren't in any particular order, so I apologize. Hope you enjoy!
**Next entry: Hiking!**
 
Front of Program (Designed by me)
Back of Program (Designed by me)




Hair Spray!
The husband and I before our departure.


Kissy after cake!

Honorary Bridesmaid and I

My mother and I

During the ceremony
My little brother couldn't make it to the wedding, so he sent half a dozen roses. Made me cry...
Maid of Honor set this up pretty in the bridal room.

Mrs. Brenda doing my bridal hair with Aunt Vickie and Tara(taking picture) watching.
Walking down the aisle..and trying not to cry.



Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

Maid of Honor and I



My bridesmaids and Matron of Honor.

My flower girl and I.


You may kiss your bride!
Bridal Party Close-up Shot


Bridal party about to take a picture!
Getting the garter. Hilarious!
About to throw it!



Table with favors, bubbles, and card basket. (Coffee beans and coffee filter flowers in vase)

Table with our engagement pictures, childhood pictures, and guest book. (Sign hung up over table for actual reception)