Hiking at 2 Feet Above Sea Level in South Jacksonville Florida

 

If you are driving south on I-95 and want a short hike close to the Interstate, Julington-Durbin Preserve is a great stop.  Exit 335 will take you to gas, food, lodging and a 1 mile trip through a diverse look at inland natural Florida.

Start out in a Stand of planted pine forest, a common site all over the Central and Northern portion of the state.

 

 Pines, cedars and wildflowers line an open portion of the trail.

 "1 Day I Will ... "

 

 

Halfway down the trail, the environment changes.  No more sand and only a few pines.

 

 

The Wetlands in the second mile are full of different but still facinating. 

 

 

 

On one day we were searching for fungi.

 

 

 

 

 

We couldn't resist photos of the yellow, lavendars, butterflies and other insects. 

Many were too fast for our camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 These white flowers smelled so very sweet, there was endlessly perfumed air.

 

 

 

 

A walk worth taking, even wtih little legs.

 

The walk, is a 2 mile round trip from the parking area to the creek and back. 

 

Trail Map for Julington - Durbin Preserve

 

 

Blooming in Northeast Florida today

First the Roses .... finally roses that I can not kill.  

 These are mostly Knockout (c) or (tm) or something.

The other are Simplicity pink (c) (tm) .... so why no heritage varieties? Because mine died.

The last of the amarillis are still stunning.

This is a Betony flower spike that shot up through the amarylis.

Bush Bean Blossom

Pea Flower

Tomato 

Chill Zones for Florida - Apples Peaches Nectarines

We were looking at Varieties of fruit trees that will bear fruit in Florida. 



available online through groworganic.com

 There are some exciting new varieties out there, but we were stumped at the store nursery by the chill hours requirement for different varieties.  Frustrating, but although the nursery attendant really wanted us to take home some trees, they weren't able to tell us whether they were good for our area. 

With a little searching, here is the chill zone map for Florida from the UF Extension Office.

January through March are considered the best times to plant apple trees in North to Central Florida.  (Although it was mentioned that December was okay too.)

Here is a link to the Low Chill Apple Page at the UF Extension Office.

Update:   I found an interesting website that addressed apples grown in hot climates at Kuffel Creek.

Fort George Inlet at Talbot Islands Florida State Park

Todays trip was about seeing and feeling marine.

Hermit crab without silly glitter and paint.

A1A is that bridge.

The sand "was like walking in snow" another visitor warned us.

Not legal.  But, can you imagine the sound?  Amazing.

A jelly caught in a pool, spinning in circles.

Racoon went left.

Bird went right.

We went straight.

Sea slugs?

Succulents in the Sand ...

This isn't dry desert sand, this is salty salt marsh sand, but the leaves of these little succulents store fresh water for itself. Cool and pretty. 

Added bonus, no needles.

Betz-Tiger Point Preserve

I may get in trouble for this.  But .... the nicest of ladies, Elaine, mentioned that all the tourists seem to stop at Pumpkin Hill Preserve and go no further.  (Oh, it was a little painful to be catagorized as a tourist in Florida, but I can be a big girl and move beyond that). 

Why? It's hot, sandy, and really not a lot to see if you are not into hoofing it through the trails.  So they go home.    If you take the time to continue to the end of Pumpkin Hill Drive, there is the sign for Betz-Tiger Point Preserve and a lovely looking gate. 

The signs are quite beautiful as far as park signs go.  The entire drive into the park is lined by newly planted oaks, which will grow into a spectacular entrance. 

There is a set of toilets, clean and toilet paper was stocked.

a map of the island preserve, a bike rack,

and a pavillion with picnic tables. 

A very nice pavilion with picnic tables.

A ground level boardwalk leads to a dock on the marsh, and miles of trails wind through the island. 

There are also other educational signs along the trails. 

Pumpkin Hill Creek State Buffer Preserve, Cedar Point Preserve, Betz-Tiger Point Preserve among other areas are all part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic National Preserve, State Park and Jacksonville Park Preserves. 

Gardening Starts - Seeds are started

Radishes have popped up. 

What a balm after the spinach seeds are a

no show two years running!

The Peas have started to stretch up too.

Flying Dragon Citrus Nursery

Love this place.  This is the Citrus Nursery we went to last year.  We have gorgeous smelling blossoms right now!  They do field trips to schools, have classes, playgroups, womens groups and homeschool groups visit.  You can tour, talk and taste.

They also provide citrus to local historical parks: Alpine Grove Park, Walter Jones Historical Park.