So, I just thought I’d show you the bug spray I was using in the Estero River Scrub Preserve when the flies were out to get me, Off Active. Now I’m sure there is nothing really wrong with this bug spray. The biting flies down here in the swamp can be horrendous, but in the past I had been using Permethrin for my clothing. Which I wasn’t using this time, but wish I had been. I looked to see if I had a bottle around here somewhere, but I don’t. You put that stuff on clothing only. Spray it on, let it dry and it’s good for several washings, protecting you from everything from flies to ticks, chiggers, etc.. I’ll try to get a picture of a bottle of that at a later time. In the meantime, here is a picture of what I used yesterday.
I’m going to be honest. I guess it could have worked a bit better, but I’m not sure anything would have kept that swarm “Off” me under those conditions. Anyway, in the past I used Ranger Ready in combo with the Permethrin. I walked through Big Cypress many times, basically Everglades conditions, and I was good to go. Also, it smells a whole lot better than the Off as well. Thinking though, if I had only gone with the Ready Ranger without the added Permethrin, would I have been so fortunate? Maybe not. Ranger Ready’s primary ingredient is Picaridin, not to be confused with the Permethrin.
Estero River Scrub Preserve is conveniently located west about a half mile off the corner of 41 and Broadway in Estero Village, FL. It took me about 12 minutes to get there from my house and was easy to find; parking is directly off the side of the road in a quiet residential area. I got there around 7:30PM thinking I would have plenty of time to walk about half of the looped trail and get back to the jeep. The park is open from 8AM until sundown, which on this particular evening was setting around 8:20PM. There is a portable bathroom on site, it’s $2 per vehicle to park, and there’s also a picnic table where you can rest, have a snack at, or adjust your gear.
Once I paid my fee I walked past the wooden fence line that separates the parking area from the entrance to the trail. I knew I was in a hurry to get around the loop before dark, so I skipped any equipment review and just headed out onto the sugar sand path to my right, making my way counter clockwise on the loop. I think if there had been other cars, or even earlier in the day, I may have gone clockwise, but I was kind of happy I chose this direction. Most of the trail leading away from the parking area was sugar sand or grass. Immediately to my right I could see evidence of a controlled burn which looked to be somewhat recent. With the sun quickly setting, the light left in the sky created quite a spectacular view. A lot of what you will see here as far as vegetation will be pine trees and low scrub pine. For the most part, up until I decided to cut through so I could skip half the trail, everything was fine, easy to walk and navigate.
The cut through definitely changed from easy trail to overgrown quickly. For the most part it was still pretty easy to navigate, and I was clearly not the only one who thought of doing this prior to myself. At that point, everything had been going well, except for the annoying more than occasional biting fly. Luckily, I literally had my bug spray at my hip, and had already used it several times, managing to keep the creepy crawlies at bay. That was about to change.
The sun was really getting low at that point, and I convinced myself if I turned back then I may not get back in time before the rangers would lock the jeep up behind the gate. I sort of asked for it though being inside the park after hours. I pressed on not realizing what I was about to get into. Water, lots and lots of bog and water. Not all that crazy or unheard of on the cusp of summer, but when you are in a hurry to get back to your vehicle and the sun is about to go down, it’s not a fun obstacle to encounter. Like a trooper, I pressed on. Where’s the wisdom of experience when you need it? I had no headlamp with me, and the deeper I got into the bush, and the water, the more I realized I may be in some trouble.
It’s about this time when I started texting my boyfriend with what the situation was. As I did so, I would take wrong turns, because I was too stubborn to stop, thinking I would be wasting precious sunlight. Unfortunately, after each text I’d cost myself more time having to backtrack and get myself re-oriented. At this point, I’m breathing sort of heavy trying to move quick, and the biting flies are loving every minute of it, because I’m easy to track. They were dive bombing my eyes, my ears, biting my bum, biting everywhere, while I tried to keep it moving. I was being swarmed. Not fun. I lathered up with bug spray every two minutes, and with each new layer, I thought I could hear tiny cries of laughter. The bug spray was doing nothing to protect me. That’s the last time I go out there around dusk. I should have known better.
I finally got through the worst of it, and returned to sugar sand trail. Sugar sand isn’t typically the type of trail I would describe as preferential, but in this case, I was super happy to see it. I turned on the flashlight on my cellphone and guided myself in. Did I mention I forgot to bring a headlamp??? Oh, and my cellphone was running out of juice. I did have a battery pack with me though, so for the most part, I was sure I would be ok with the light from that.
Well, what a fun time… Anyway, once I emerged back into the parking lot and jumped in the van with my muddy untied boots, I had to call off the rescue troops. My boyfriend is a hero. He was already on his way to retrieve me from what I was almost certain would be a locked in jeep. Thankfully, whatever ranger that may have been in charge that night, was either lenient as to when he was going to lock up the gate, or well aware some people don’t plan well and often find themselves taking just a bit longer to get back to their vehicle. Either way, I was free to go. Whew!
Well, next time I know what to expect. All and all, its a pretty cool area to go for a hike. I just was terrible at planning my execution. Sometimes I just wing it. You win some, you loose some. I’d say this was a win though. I didn’t have to be rescued so. LOL! Fun times.
Tonight I got back out there. It’s been entirely too long and I needed it. There wasn’t much distance covered tonight, but I could tell by the end of the first lap, we completed two, I haven’t been off my duff in quite a while. My lower back and calves were tight during and after. I made sure to do a light stretch once I got home which completely relieved both thank goodness.
nights walk is through Three Oaks Park in South Fort Myers. It’s a brief, paved trail, about 1.3 miles that travels in a double loop, and is very popular with other local walkers from the area. That evening, we saw quite a few individuals, couples, and dog walkers. Some people had small children or babies with them. Many looked as though they were just looking forward to getting out for a nice evening of exercise in the warm weather.
We arrived around 7:30PM. Although on the late side, there were many people still playing tennis, pickle ball, volley ball, basketball and more. The park offers pretty much any outdoor group activity you can think of. There are also lots of soccer and baseball fields. We saw a few people taking advantage of the fields being open, using them to stretch and run in, and the park’s playground was full of kids. I imagine this park sees a number of visitors no matter what time of day. It sits very close to a large middle school and many neighborhoods. It’s convenient, it’s safe, clean and it’s got lots of options for activities.
It had rained earlier in the day. So by general standards it was pretty humid for outdoor activities, but I’m guessing better than scorching in the afternoon sun. Either way, the path meanders through a generous amount of canopy, so there is plenty of shade.
There are only a couple of down sides, the constant hum of the highway on the other side of the massive wall that separates the park from the traffic can be pretty loud, and the lake you circle toward on the north side of the park has got to breed mosquitos big time. Thankfully, we prepared with bug spray before starting our walk, but there was nothing you could do to combat the noise of traffic other than possibly wearing ear buds. We circled the path twice, completing 2.6 miles. I forgot my phone for the first lap, so I didn’t record any miles on my Strava app, and missed the opportunity to shoot photos in the better light. I finally grabbed it the second time through and squeaked out a couple of good photos at least.
All and all, I can see us returning to Three Oaks Park to walk frequently. It’s very close to where we live and it’s quite a pleasant walking experience. There are lots of things to see, plus it’s one of the only walking options my sedentary boyfriend has not jokingly complained about. We had a great time and will be going again shortly, I’m sure.
