Story:
We entered Honeymoon Island State park via the causeway in our vehicle, and then boarded the Ferry from Honeymoon to Caladesi Island. We arrived and hiked south to the head of the Hammock Loop Trail and started tracking from there. The trip was broken into two parts due to gps lockup. This is part 2 of 2.
The goal was to locate the historic homestead site and photograph that area, as well as some scenic spots which included a look at old Dunedin Pass, and a vew of Sharrer bayou and the original pilings from Henry Sharrer's docks. We also took a shot of the harp tree and one of the freshwater ponds (fry season but still wet and muddy down in the pond hole.) We spotted a Southern bald Eagle (mature) and several osprey. Other wildlife included a roseate spoonbill in flight, tons of palm warblers near the pond and in the oak hammock.
We started out at 10am and finished by 2:30 pm when we caught the return ferry to Honeymoon.
We entered Honeymoon Island State park via the causeway in our vehicle, and then boarded the Ferry from Honeymoon to Caladesi Island. We arrived and hiked south to the head of the Hammock Loop Trail and started tracking from there. The trip was broken into two parts due to gps lockup. This is part 2 of 2.
The goal was to locate the historic homestead site and photograph that area, as well as some scenic spots which included a look at old Dunedin Pass, and a vew of Sharrer bayou and the original pilings from Henry Sharrer's docks. We also took a shot of the harp tree and one of the freshwater ponds (fry season but still wet and muddy down in the pond hole.) We spotted a Southern bald Eagle (mature) and several osprey. Other wildlife included a roseate spoonbill in flight, tons of palm warblers near the pond and in the oak hammock.
We started out at 10am and finished by 2:30 pm when we caught the return ferry to Honeymoon.
Tips:
Costs = $5.00 per veicle entrance fee to Honeymoon ISland S.P. and ferry fare is $10/person round trip. CASH ONLY! Ferries run daily, weather permitting from 10am - best to get there before noon. Weekends can be toatlly packed, so if you are M.F 9>5'er and MUST go on a weekend, plan to get to the park no later than 9:30 in order to get a ticket. Locals opt to kayak over either from the causeway or from dunedin marina. Kayak trail are also on Caladesi and they rent kayaks at the Caladesi Island marina. Watch for TIDES if you kayak!!! LOW tide cna be bad and a very HIGH tide cna be equally troublesome in the mangrove tunnels.
Plan ahead for weather and tides, bring water, snacks and sun protection. Skeeters get terrible in summer.
Summers can be hot and winters can be cold and windy. Dress in layers for a cool start and brisky windy ferry ride, and take off layers as needed for the hotter mid day temps.
You will need lots of time to do this trek justice, however you are limited to a 4 hour stay on the island. Trails can be very confusing, so be prepared to make good use of your GPS.
A trail lunch is best, but you could opt to eat at the cafe on the island as well.
Please be respectful of artifacts and ruins at homestead and leave untouched.
Stay ON THE TRAILS, and out of environmentally sensitive areas.
Costs = $5.00 per veicle entrance fee to Honeymoon ISland S.P. and ferry fare is $10/person round trip. CASH ONLY! Ferries run daily, weather permitting from 10am - best to get there before noon. Weekends can be toatlly packed, so if you are M.F 9>5'er and MUST go on a weekend, plan to get to the park no later than 9:30 in order to get a ticket. Locals opt to kayak over either from the causeway or from dunedin marina. Kayak trail are also on Caladesi and they rent kayaks at the Caladesi Island marina. Watch for TIDES if you kayak!!! LOW tide cna be bad and a very HIGH tide cna be equally troublesome in the mangrove tunnels.
Plan ahead for weather and tides, bring water, snacks and sun protection. Skeeters get terrible in summer.
Summers can be hot and winters can be cold and windy. Dress in layers for a cool start and brisky windy ferry ride, and take off layers as needed for the hotter mid day temps.
You will need lots of time to do this trek justice, however you are limited to a 4 hour stay on the island. Trails can be very confusing, so be prepared to make good use of your GPS.
A trail lunch is best, but you could opt to eat at the cafe on the island as well.
Please be respectful of artifacts and ruins at homestead and leave untouched.
Stay ON THE TRAILS, and out of environmentally sensitive areas.
Tags:
nature, Beach, trail, Island, Caladesi, Part 2 of 2
nature, Beach, trail, Island, Caladesi, Part 2 of 2
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