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Robinson Preserve

 I had heard of Robinson Preserve as a safe place for hiking and biking. I decided it was time to check it out. I thought I had a pretty good idea of where it was and how to get there but I managed to miss a turn and get kind of lost. When I was sure I was back on track I was getting discouraged because I was not seeing any signs indicating the location.

Finally, I said to myself this is just not meant to be. I might as well turn around and go home. But I absolutely could not bring myself to turn around here:


I drove another half mile and the next drive off the main road was the entrance to the preserve. So it was meant to be!

This old house was scheduled for demolition to make way for citifying Bradenton. It was moved by barge to the Preserve and serves as the greeting and information center. It's called the Valentine House (after the family that owned it).

I did wish I had a kayak.

I climbed the tower.

The sky bridge to Tampa is in the distance.


The preserve is not a working saltern, but it does have the perfect ecological conditions for that.

A saltern is an area or installation for making salt. Salterns include modern salt-making works, as well as hypersaline waters that usually contain high concentrations of halophilic microorganisms, primarily haloarchaea but also other halophiles including algae and bacteria. Wikipedia


I made a loop around. There are so many trails to explore that I definitely want to go back there.

I did spend the afternoon being fascinated by the trees and other plants along the trail.



Hello!


Palm and banyan hugging.

Charred





Maybe next time I will try the birders' trail.

Osprey nesting


Comments

  1. Arkansas PattiMarch 21, 2021 at 10:58 AM

    Think you ought to get a kayak. I saw some on the White River yesterday and it made me sad that I had sold mine. They are such fun and because you are so low in the water, you can sneak up on wildlife.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MaebemeMarch 21, 2021 at 1:16 PM

    What a wonderful place to walk! I'm glad your persevered and found the right turn-off. That building is so beautiful - it would have been a shame to see it torn down.
    Take care, stay well!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linda ReederMarch 21, 2021 at 2:58 PM

    Yes, I'm glad you got the heck out of Trump country, or at least a bit of it. I guess the whole state does have that issue.
    We are cold and rainy here so your sunny hike looks very inviting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. KayMarch 21, 2021 at 3:34 PM

    I'm so glad you had some picturesque, happy exploring and exercise. That's a beautiful area.

    ReplyDelete
  5. TomMarch 21, 2021 at 6:03 PM

    Nice photos ... almost fee like I'm there with you. Glad they could save the Valentine House.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jenn JilksMarch 21, 2021 at 6:17 PM

    That is amazing!
    Great spot. Good for you for eschewing the trumpers home.
    But amazing climbing the tower. I did some outdoor work today and I am achy!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Margaret (Peggy or Peg too)March 22, 2021 at 9:12 AM

    My first thought was, "A trump sign in VT?" Then I realized you were not in VT anymore.

    ReplyDelete
  8. gigi-hawaiiMarch 22, 2021 at 11:03 AM

    I like Florida. I have been to Orlando and Miami. Thanks for the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  9. OlgaMarch 22, 2021 at 6:12 PM

    Patti--I could already own one if I got back the money I've spent on rentals.
    Linda--unsettling how many still have those signs up.
    Margaret--I am in Florida. The idea I had that I could tough out a VT winter again didn't not last a week into the season. It's actually been cooler than normal here but I don't complain -- mostly because no one would listen.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Granny AnnieMarch 23, 2021 at 10:27 AM

    You lost me at the word "hiking". I watch too many detective shows to think hiking for a woman alone as a good thing. However, you did see some wonderful things. Plus, did you say you were alone?

    ReplyDelete

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