Spring is a great time to explore the outdoor parks in Florida, like Emerson Point Preserve which is located on the north shore of the Manatee river with beautiful Terra Ceia Bay views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The preserve is at the west end of Snead Island.
I met with a few friends from my yoga teacher training class last week. We gathered near the entrance at the pavilion which also has a nice restroom. One of our group led us in a refreshing outdoor yoga practice on our mats under the Spanish moss covered live oak trees. As we finished our practice and settled into shivasana, the final resting (corpse) pose, the school children who had been wading in the river with nets returned to the picnic tables under the pavilion to discuss their findings.
We rolled up our mats, returned them to the cars, and set off to explore the nearby trails. Being yogis, we are also nature lovers and looked forward to exploring the entire preserve. This is the perfect time to visit an outdoor park, as it will get much hotter over the summer for hiking in the state of Florida.
The park displays a number of informative signs depicting the interesting history of the area. The archaeologists identified food and shell remains from native Americans dating back to 800 A.D. in a temple mound. It was cool to walk on the boardwalk over the Portavant Temple Mound, which was literally just a big hill, and think that people lived here long before Columbus discovered America. The shell mound or shell midden is a prehistoric refuse heap consisting of the shells of edible mollusks intermingled with evidence of human occupancy.
After exploring these trails, we chose to drive to the far end of the park which has a parking lot and two picnic tables. We followed the beach walk trail along the shore encountering trees and bushes that at times are submerged under the water. Walking along the hiking trails is a good way to observe Florida’s coastal wildlife. I saw a beautiful pink Roseate Spoonbill, a large Wood Stork, and several Terns diving into the bay.
Small sections of sand along the shore make for quiet and semi-private sunbathing spots. From the tip of Snead Island you can see Anna Maria Island as you stand at the mouth of the Manatee River. The spectacular view is ideal for watching the sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.
We passed a few people riding bikes along the miles of trails and a few trucks bringing kayaks to the canoe and kayak launch into the mangrove swamp. The park offers an extensive network of hiking and kayak trails. An observation tower is along the trail on the north side of the main park road. Dogs are allowed on leash and fishing is also permitted along the perimeter of the preserve.
We ate our picnic lunch and made plans to one day take a yoga retreat together. I hope it will happen as yoga friends have always challenged me to broaden my horizons and stretch my limits both physically and spiritually.
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14 Comments
I love preserves, such hidden gems we all are lucky to live near. A great reminder to take advantage of nature in and around where we live. I need to visit this next time I’m down your way! Great photos.
Be happy to explore with you next time down here. We have lots of different nature trails and parks to visit. Safe travels home for you now.
Wow, your yoga session at Emerson Point Preserve sounds absolutely rejuvenating! Practicing under the live oak trees must have been incredibly peaceful. It’s amazing how places like this blend history, nature, and community so seamlessly. Plus, planning a yoga retreat with your friends sounds like a wonderful way to deepen those connections and explore new horizons together.
It was a rejuvenating way to start the day before the picnic and walk. Such a great group of women in a beautiful place. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
Sounds like you had a delightful time! There’s something truly special about spending quality moments with a wonderful group of people in a scenic setting. It’s those little moments that really make life shine, isn’t it? Here’s to more memorable days like that ahead!
Sounds like a very enjoyable outing. Spring always has that sense of renewal
That is so true. It’s a time to reevaluate resolutions made in January and maybe motivate as well.
This looks like a peaceful area!
Love this, looks so peaceful!
Wow! this sounds like an amazing day. So beautiful too. This post inspired me to really think more about joining a group and just to get out more. I live like a recluse and hardly go out or meet new people. If you can do it… I can do it, right? I just struggle terribly in getting out to do things on my own. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for reading and I’m glad you are inspired. I have found that if you search for “meet-ups” in your area it’s a nice way to get outside and maybe meet some new friends on different excursions. Hope you try it – this weather is perfect!
Yeah, its so inspiring.. I saw some nice hike trails on bit.ly/hikers-haven-blog, would be so nice to have a bit of air and nature’s view
What a beautiful area!
It really is so pretty along the water and the trails maintained well. Thanks for reading!