If you are tired of taking I-95 going north to Palm Coast, try Beach Street instead. After a mile of driving along the Intracoastal lined with magnificent riverfront mansions, you veer west and find yourself in a tree line road with branches arching above the roadway, which put you in a shade in the middle of summer heat. It is only 40 MPH speed limit, but it does not bother you. You would not want to drive faster anyway, you may want to drive slower and enjoy the scenery. But what is it on your right hand? Let's stop here and check it out. Heck with Palm Coast, we'll get there next time.
This is Tomoka State Park, right here north of Ormond Beach. This is a large park - over 2,000 acres. The park boasts 12 miles of shoreline. The activities include Boating, Canoeing, fishing, picnicking, camping....
The park is noted for its live oak hammock with arching limbs covered in Spanish moss. Over 160 species of birds have been noted. You can see manatees, occasionally a bottlenose dolphin, alligators are in abundance (though I failed to spot a single one). THere are raccoons, bobcats, white-tailed deer and otters... I only saw a tortoise.
The park borders Tomoka River, which got the name from Timacua Native Americans, who once lived here, living off fish-filled lagoons. Today, the river is popular for canoeing,fishing, and boating. The park protects a variety of wildlife habitats and endangered species. Tomoka is a bird-watcher's paradise, especially during the spring and fall migrations. You can stroll a one-half mile nature trail through a hardwood hammock that was once an indigo field.
Jon Zolsky, your Dayutona Beach connection
www.BeautifulFlorida.com
Want to live in this area or have a vacation home in the area, call me 386-405-4408 .
Whatch the slide show of the Tomoka State Park
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