hit the trail

› By Diane Bedard

Sometimes you just want to get out and see something di erent. A brand-new paddling trail opened in Hernando County in March, so a day trip to Florida’s Adventure Coast seems like a great way to kick things o !

Bayport Park is a 7-acre recreational area located on the Gulf of Mexico. It features picnic tables, pavilions, grills and bathrooms. It is a wonderful place to watch a sunset and now o ers an access point for the BayportLinda Pedersen Paddling Trail, named after the two parks that this waterway connects.

Bayport’s boat ramp is part of Jenkins Creek, which feeds directly from the Gulf.

To the right of the ramp is a large, hand-painted sign that features some of the sights visitors can expect to encounter on their paddle. The sign is the result of four Cadettes from Girl Scout Troop 317 who wanted to participate in an educational project for their Silver Award. A similar sign is at the Linda Pedersen Park endpoint of the trail.

Attached to one of the signposts is a container of waterproof paddling trail maps, courtesy of Florida’s Adventure Coast. They are nice and sturdy with an overview of the 1.7-mile, one-way paddle visitors are preparing to embark on. There is an optional leg through Redfish Bayou that can add 1.5 miles to the trip if you’re in the mood for a longer challenge.

At the opening of the trail on March 16, I, along with other members of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, was able to preview the trail by venturing out on the water. As we begin our journey, a large blue heron eyes us from the bank and then continues his hunt for the fresh fish so easily found in this estuary ecosystems.

As soon as we reach the Gulf, a sign identifies that we are on a marked route. The view is breathtaking as the open saltwater expanse lies before us. We are in an open water paddle situation. There are fisherman seeking their prize, and we are stroking through the current, entranced by the beauty of seagrass islands and ducks, pelicans and gulls flying and floating by.

The trail is well marked and winds through what are commonly known as Florida flats.

Soon we arrive at Linda Pedersen Park, a magnificent coastal park with swings, picnic areas, grills and bathrooms, as well as a launch to bring our boats up and an aluminum bridge over to Jenkins Creek Park.

At a floating dock we are greeted by a manatee. Best of all, the park is bordered by a rare pristine palm forest, a true crowning jewel to our paddling adventure.

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