One of Marion County’s finest parks, Carney Island preserves a peninsula jutting out into Lake Weir near Ocklawaha. As I discovered by leading a hike there, the beach at Lemon Point is a destination not just for hikers but boaters too.
Carney Island Conservation Area
At Carney Island, the breeze carries the scent of orange blossoms from some of the northernmost remaining commercial groves in Florida. Lake Weir is a palatable presence, even though the trails stick to the oak hammocks
Farewell to my Cannondale
Requiem for a much-loved bicycle: in November, my vintage Cannondale Super V 1000 mountain bike made its final ride while we were doing trail research in Marion County.
Sunnyhill in the sunshine
Today was my third visit to Sunnyhill Restoration Area, more than 4,400 acres managed by St. Johns Water Management District, and finally, I found the right entrance for a pleasant hike. There are so many entrances to this vast preserve!
Sunnyhill Levee Trail
At Sunnyhill Restoration Area, the Levee Trail provides a scenic stroll atop a levee paralleling both the Ocklawaha River channel and its vast marshes favored by wading birds.