Little Manatee State Recreation area

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Photos and description, courtesy Sue Bunge

The weather was a sunny, cloudless mid-70' when we started on our hike
Saturday morning. The trail was a winding dirt packed trail. We went
through the mostly shaded wooded area to the group campsite. Along the
way we crossed 3 boardwalks, a couple over small streams. The hike in
was about 3 miles and was very peaceful. The trail is maintained by the
Florida Trails Assoc. and is very well kept up.

Once we arrived at our campsite area we chose our spots to pitch our
tents, had lunch and some had siesta time under the live oak canopy of
trees. Blain, our 13 year old ball of energy, and I took a 1 + mile
walk back to the creek we had passed on the way in-such a beautiful hike
it was worth doing again.

Later on it was time to settle in for the night-dinner time then time to
build the campfire. Gerry brought Jiffy pop once again and popped it to
perfection which we all enjoyed.

This hike and camp out was during the full moon as was last month's hike
at Serenova. The moon blazed all night in a cloudless sky and lit up the
campground once again.

We ended the night with a campfire and a few of us went on a short hike
before we called it a night.

In the morning, we awoke to a brisk temperature of 39'-I took my heater
so I was a bit more warmer in my tent with 62'. It quickly warmed up-50'
by 9:00 am and in the 70's and sunshine before we started our hike out.

We had breakfast,broke camp and headed out-a 4 mile hike to complete the
hiking loop. On the way we came across a snake sunning himself on a
palmetto-eyed us calmly and then slithered away.

Along the hike out we walked over a few more boardwalks/bridges and
along the Little Manatee River. At one bridge we took a break,snacked
,rested a bit and got our bearings.

After reaching the parking area, all headed to their own
destinations-except 4 of us who went in search of some authentic mexican
food-which we found very close to the entrance to the park.

Another great hike Ben, thank you!! --------------------------------------------------------