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}