Three evenings we returned to our Orange Island campsite at sunset and were treated to views such as this on Mosquito Lagoon. As at most National Parks, all campsites were assigned, and we were at "Homestead." Although bugs were not a problem while paddling, the no-see-ums were bothersome when we were there in mid-March, so four of our participants wore "bug suits."
Many of the islands within Canaveral National Seashore had man-made canals which we could explore when high tide allowed access. Here Laura, Lee, Rick, and Diana paddle and enjoy the scenery and abundant wildfowl. It was a daily occurrence to see pelicans, osprey, egrets, heron, ibis, vultures, moorhen, coots, grebes, wood storks, blue wing teal, cormorants, ducks, and many others. In addition, we viewed manatees in Haulover Canal, saw a few alligators, and most days we saw dolphins while paddling in the main channels.
In this photo, Laura and Ricardo hike Castle Windy Trail. During our week, we also paddled Shipyard Island, Callalisa Creek, the Intracoastal Waterway, hiked Castle Windy Trail and New Smyrna Beach Dunes Park, spent two afternoons on the ocean beach, toured Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and toured Eldora House.
Here is the group posing atop Turtle Mound, a 40 foot high midden made of discarded oyster shells by the Timucuan Indians during their 2000 years of occupation of this area. Once 80 feet high, the mound's shells (and those of many other mounds) were used as road fill or for Flagler's railroad as base for his rail line. Fortunately, this archeological treasure has been preserved.
front row (l to r): Ricardo, Rick, and Seth
back row: Lee, Greg (our leader), Diana, Sue, and Laura
Greg Pflug, our leader, offers numerous trips through his company, Adventures in Florida