Monday, January 10, 2022

Do you want to walk to the Gulf of Mexico?


 OK....OK....we'll drive most of the way! It's only around 30 minutes on back roads and then 4 miles on a dirt road and then we'll walk! How about that?


Our destination is the Withlacoochee Bay Trail. 


We had been to this area before but never realized you could actually park your vehicle and walk to the Gulf of Mexico with the canal running alongside. Palm trees and Cedars lining some of the road.


And good places to pull over all along the way.


Now let's walk!


It made for some amazing views and wonderful bird sightings (I'll share those soon).


Beautiful views of the canal.


The sky was bright blue and the water a deeper shade of blue!


And then when we got to the end of the trail where the canal flows into the Gulf.....


it was breathtaking!


We packed a picnic lunch and made this a day trip.

The temperature was 73 degrees with a nice breeze. 


Doesn't get any better than that!


One of the surprises was the number of butterflies and variety we saw. Most of the wildflowers are finished blooming here but there were butterflies flitting all along the trail.


It was worth the hike, don't you think?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

One more linky party HERE


46 comments:

Tom said...

...the butterflies made the walk well worth it!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Wow - you always take me places I haven't been. I'm close to you but further south. The Withlocheesee River runs by my area and I cross it going into New Port Richey. I love the wilderness areas you explore and share. With my arhtritis I don't hike any more so going with you on the blog is so much fun, but I miss being places like this. Thank you for sharing.

MadSnapper said...

those islands at the mouth of the gulf were worth the whole trip all by themselves. wow. I did not know you could get to the coast that quickly from where you are. incredible beauty. I love palms, no matter the kind.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

That looked like a great hike!

carol l mckenna said...

Gorgeous photo walk with you ~ especially with the cold here in MA ~ Xo


Wishing you a fun day ~

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Red Rose Alley said...

The waters are beautiful. In that last photo, the water is sparkling! I didn't realize you were that close to the area. What a fun trip to take, and the sky was so blue that day. It's been snowing and really cold here, so haven't gotten out in nature much, but I want to do that really soon when the sun comes out and warms up a bit. Being around water, like you did, is always such a peaceful experience. And the butterfly photos are brilliant. I look forward to seeing the birds you saw along the way.

Have a wonderful week, Diane.

*thank you for your dear comment on my post this morning. And I was so glad to hear you have that same painting in your bedroom. It's always been a favorite of mine. : )

riitta k said...

Wonderful green summer views! I can smell the water & warm breeze. Wishing you a nice week.

Gillena Cox said...

Gorgeous sky. Lovely tree shapes. The butterfly and feverfew weeds remind me of happenings in my garden.
Have a good week. Thanks for dropping by and linking to Mondat WRites

Much love...

Edna B said...

These are beautiful photos! What a lovely day for you. Hugs, Edna B.

Veronica Lee said...

I enjoyed this lovely walk with you. Love the photos.

Happy Monday!

DVArtist said...

It is so gorgeous there.

Jeanie said...

You're right -- it doesn't get any better than that view where the canal flows into the gulf. What a gorgeous day -- and your red wagon makes for such a fun bright spot on your travels!

margi said...

Wonderful walk! The last picture is amazing!

Ann said...

That looks like a little piece of heaven on earth to me. It's snowing again here.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
It looks like a great place to visit and walk. The water views are beautiful.
Have a great day and a happy new week!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Spectacular scenery!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Looks like a great hike. I will look forward to seeing pictures of the birds. In the meantime the butterfly appetizer is much appreciated.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

I love the photos--maybe I live on the wrong coast of Florida---we have finally gotten some rain today--first in about 3 weeks or so that I can remember--the poor plants were thirsty!!!
keep those hikes and photos coming--
hugs, di

happyone said...

Wow such a beautiful place for walking!!!

NanaDiana said...

Reading your posts always make me miss living in FL so much. It is such a blessing to be able to get out and hike and have nice weather in the winter. I always love your photos and your trips.

Don't you just love all the names of the different parks, etc? xo Diana

BeachGypsy said...

That's a pretty pretty hike!--I loved it! Especially the pretty butterflies. We love doing the same.........a day drive/adventure and taking a supper or lunch with us. Best way to spend a day and oh my gosh y'all had PERFECT WEATHER!! So warm and sunny and pretty. Hope your new year has started off GREAT!! Hugs, my friend!!

Little Wandering Wren said...

Lots to be joyful of here, beautiful hikes, a picnic, and wanders in the sunshine! A lovely post!
Wren x

Terri D said...

Just beautiful!!

Happy@Home said...

Definitely worth the hike. Such pretty scenery and the weather sounds just perfect.

Carla from The River said...

Beautiful!!! I love seeing the water sparkle in the sunshine.

Debbie said...

it's wonderful to see this in the middle of our cold snap here in new jersey. it sounds like the perfect day...and a picnic, i love that!!

the pictures are gorgeous, such pretty hues of blue and the butterflies are beautiful!!

Olde Dame Holly said...

Gosh that is beautiful! But I will admit I was worried you would see a gator on the canal side!

Linda said...

How exciting!! I'm so glad I came with you today!!

Angie said...

Diane - ha ha! No idea you were so close to the Gulf! Glad that area did not become a commercialized waterway! And the butterflies were beautiful! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

Marcia said...

I didn't realize you lived that close to the Gulf. It does look like a lovely walk.

Marcia said...

I didn't realize you lived that close to the Gulf. It does look like a lovely walk.

Wally Jones said...

That's a wonderful walk! Different times of year can produce a really diverse selection of birds.

About a hundred years ago, we pulled an awful lot of speckled trout from that area.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I did enjoy my drive and walk! You are so very lucky, Diane, to be able to pack a picnic and see all this beauty!!

Connie said...

I wish that I was there in person to take this amazing journey with you. To feel the sea breeze and the warm sunshine . . . do you want to trade it for my ice and snow? LOL

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely photographs.
I did enjoy my visit to the Withlacoochee Bay Trail :)

All the best Jan

Caroline said...

Beautiful photos. I have family too in Florida.

Teresa said...

Parece que fue bonita e interesante, me encantó. Espero las siguientes. Besos.

DeniseinVA said...

Great place for a ride/walk :) Loved the photos!

Aunt Helen said...

Diane, What beautiful views!! Just lovely!! These are photos of a place most of us will never be able to go in person! So, thank you for showing us a bit of secluded Florida. Pretty Butterflies too!. Love, Aunt Helen

Creations By Cindy said...

Beautiful photos and girl...I love it that you packed a picnic lunch! We used to pack picnic lunches all the times even with short trips. I keep saying I am going to go back to doing that. Hugs and blessings to you. Cindy

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

It's always so exciting to discover a new trail, how fun that you can drive part of it, and then walk! I loved seeing where the two waterways came together, amazing! And such lovely weather you are having, so perfect for a picnic lunch! My husband and I love to do this, it is our favorite way to spend a day :)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh fabulously worth it! Wonderful day trip. And that is before you even show off your birds. I loved walking with you.

Powell River Books said...

Love your red jeep. It would be a fun way for us to explore Arizona. - Margy

Ricki Treleaven said...

How beautiful! And you had the perfect weather for it. Is this the first time you've been there? It's gorgeous, and a perfect day trip.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Wow! Yes, it WAS definitely worth the trip! Thanks for sharing it with us. I know I would enjoy this little jaunt too. Can't wait to see your bird pictures as well! Isn't it wonderful the beautiful places we have at our disposal here in Florida...year round?! That's the best part!

Janey and Co. said...

What an adventure. Lovely views..