Walking the dog at Haines Creek/ Blount Island

So... in our neighbor hood is a secret place. People have lived here for years and drive by it everyday and don't even know it is there. The entrance is not that of some big fancy park and there isn't any fancy jungle gym or much of anything really. Just an island that is tucked away off the road.



Entrance to the park.

So I thought I would show my friend CG, who also lives in the neighborhood. We got our faithful companions and decided to drag them along. And in the case of my spoiled dog that was about the truth of it.

Sitting on the swing at the Haines Creek part of the park.

 The front part of the park has a nice picnic area and a cool bench swing to sit and enjoy the beautiful view of the canal. So of course we had to try it out.

CG's dog checking out the knolls.

 CG's dog DD decided to have a look at the cypress knees. I've always heard them called cypress knolls but I guess they are also called knees. When I was little I was told it was the tree's noses. And I remember thinking how gross it would be if they sneezed, it would land right in the water. But I guess that they are now saying these are not the tree's noses, that help the roots to oxygenate the tree when under water. They are to help keep the tree stable in the wet area where these trees grow. So it's like they are sticking their knees up. I think the nose story sounds better. Plus you can say you touched a tree right on it's nose.

Close up of cypress knee's. They even look like noses.

Under the bridge that leads to the island

 A few years ago you could drive right on the island but I guess the bridge got week and now it's foot traffic only. Which is just at well because it's such a nice walk.

Looking off the bridge

All around the island is a canal that leads out to the main part of Haines Creek. I don't know if the canal was man made or not. Each person keeps up there section of it so some have sand bags and some docks and some it's just natural dirt into the water.

Sign at the entrance of the island.

 Most of the trail is over grown with muscadine grape vines. Some areas the vines grow right over the trail and it is like going through tunnels.

On the trail.

Leaves!

Hidden in the tons of grape vines is black berry bushes. I'm not sure what variety but they have lots of thorns! I'm glad the park service keeps them at bay but I'd hate to see them smothered out by all the grapes.

Muscadine grapes on the vine

You can get an idea of the size of these grapes.

Some fresh green ones growing in the Florida sunshine.

I read some where that muscadine grapes were native to Florida and at one time all the grapes in France got some sort of decease and were at risk of dieing out, so... they took native Florida grape vine roots, which are very hardy and can live through about anything, and grafted the French vine onto our roots. So next time your drinking fancy French wine just remember your really drinking  wine that wouldn't exist without the help of the good old Florida muscadine.

Butterfly!

 There were lot's of other things to see besides grapes. We saw lot's of butterflies and some really pretty flowers.

Not sure what this flower is called but it was sure putting on a show.

Beauty berries. Similar to Poke weed but the berries are bunched up more.

Looking into the middle of the island

The interior of the island looked like a ancient jungle with all the vines and huge ferns. And I guess my dog thought he was in the jungle because he soon wanted to be carried. We had to stop and give him water and encouragement to get him moving forward again so he would stop jumping up and down in front of me with that carry me mommy face.  

We brought lot's of water as the weather was hot. And some coconut water too, to help rehydrate us.

Here is my baby getting some encouragement form CG's dog.

As out of shape as this dog looks she was gung ho the whole way. I guess it was the hound dog in her.

Lead dog!

On the way back to the parking lot my dog was at the front dragging me the whole way. But I think he had a good time. I know I did. This turned out to be an excellent place to walk our dogs.