I laced up my hiking boots bright and early in eager anticipation of the views that awaited me.
The first trail of the day took me through the bogs. Now the primary creature that inhabited this area was mosquitoes, but due to the changing season perhaps, there wasn’t a single blood sucker in sight! I got to enjoy all the views without the pesky insects, talk about a jackpot. A light misty rain fell on the damp swampy land as I made my way along the boardwalk to the end of the trail. It felt so unique, I’d never seen an area like this before. The blend of colors and plants that found their home in the bog was quite incredible.
With the first hike of the day being such a wonderful find, I took to the beaches for my second hike. At the entrance a wooden boardwalk guided hikers out and across the sand dunes, through tall waving grass and shallow streams with adorned with colorful mossy patches that grew along the waters edge. Soon the boardwalk arrived at a pristine beach that stretched on as far as I could see. A chilly breeze swept through the area, accompanied by the sounds of the ocean waters crashing into the shore . I could have stayed there all day. I walked along the waters edge, taking my time appreciating the moment before retracing my footsteps as I returned the way I came.
I had opted to do all the smaller trails rather than a day hike. This led me from trail to trail, exploring much of what the park had to offer. The more I walked around, the more I felt this national park was a true gem. There were far less people than other parks and everywhere I went I was in awe at the vast blend of scenery.
It came time for my final hike of the day, a walk through the pine trees. As I took to the path it felt like I’d entered another realm. A layer of pine needles carpeted the forest floor, a pleasant padding for those who walked upon the trail. Mushrooms grew on rotting wood from many of the fallen trees, slowly returning the great pines to the soil where new life would spring up and the forest would continue to thrive.
Feeling the exhaustion setting in I decided I’d set up my tent and call it a day. With a vast collection of stars hovering in the great expanse above me I crawled into my tent and dozed off. What a fulfilling and adventurous day it’d been.