Myakka River State Park on Gulf Coast is place to find the 'Real Florida'

[Travel Features Syndicate]

There is no better place to experience "Real Florida" than the Myakka River State Park, where you are virtually guaranteed to see alligators close up. © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

 

You don't have to travel far on Route 72 from the busy north-south roads near Florida's Gulf Coast before you are in a comparative wilderness. Just north is Sarasota, best known for its connection to John Ringling and for being the "capital" of the American circus. To the south is Ft. Myers, best known as the summer residence of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. But here, on both sides of the two-lane road are mainly fields and forest - terrain popularly referred to as "Old Florida" or "Real Florida." What that means is that you get to the true character of this place.

 

There is no better place to experience "Real Florida" than the Myakka River State Park, which turns out to not only be the state's most popular in terms of number of visits, but also one of its largest in sheer expanse (36,000 acres), and one of the most diverse in wildlife.

 

The ecosystem here is set up by the "Florida Wild and Scenic" Myakka River, which flows through 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pinelands, feeding two shallow lakes that attract a myriad of wetland creatures, making birding, canoeing, fishing, hiking and wildlife observation popular activities.

 

A 7-mile scenic drive winds through shady oak-palm hammocks and along the shore of the Upper Myakka Lake. There are over 39 miles of hiking trails and many miles of dirt roads provide access to the remote interior. You can bike the road, or bike off road on 20 miles of paths; there are 12 miles of horseback riding. And there are camping areas, as well.

 

One of Florida’s oldest state parks, Myakka River was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934 and many of the original, historic buildings are still in use today, including five log cabins that are available for rent.

 

On this particular morning, there is a heavy fog that adds to the atmosphere.

 

We immediately get a sense of how vast the park is, as we drive about four miles before we get to our first stop, the Birdwalk, a 300-foot long boardwalk that puts you out above the marsh, where a volunteer bird interpreter is available (9 am-1 pm) to literally open your eyes to the skill and "sport" of birdwatching....Read more...

 

This is old Florida at its best – the winding road we take through the park is under a canopy of trees; there is  Spanish moss hanging down.

 

We are off for an airboat ride, one of the most popular activities in the park, and I soon discover why.

 

We drive to the Outpost, where you can rent canoes, kayaks or bikes, go to a small convenience store, or the cafe and gift shop.

 

Now normally, you think of airboats nimbly speeding over the surface of the Everglades, giving a thrilling ride. That's not this. Read more and see slideshow