The Jungle Trail

We just got back from a very relaxing vacation in Florida and I wanted to show you some pictures of one of my favorite spots there. Indian River Shores is a barrier island in Vero Beach, Florida where it is buffered between the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Intercoastal Waterway on the other. We feel we have the best of both worlds because we can choose between soaking up the rays at the beach or doing some fishing on the Intercoastal. The Intercoastal is also home to a wide variety of marine life including dolphin, pelicans, egrets, herons, ospreys and manatees.

We start most of our mornings fishing and biking along this Intercoastal.  Also running along this waterway is a strip of dirt road that is called the Jungle Trail which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This trail is really a road that was built in the 1920's so that citrus growers could haul their produce up and down the barrier island. Nowadays it is used mainly by walkers, joggers and cyclists which is what I do while they fish. Fishing is not my thing!

It has changed a great deal since we have been coming here over the past 18 years. Gone is the fruit stand where we used to get fresh squeezed orange juice, oranges and grapefruit. We are talking the best orange juice I have ever tasted! Nowadays there are more houses and people to see but this Jungle Trail is still is a little piece of simplicity and tranquility that I adore. Here are some pics of what it is like now.

The view from the kid's fishing spot.

These Mangrove trees magically survive even with the roots exposed 2 feet above the ground.

Even the dogs here get the royal treatment.

And you can't forget the palm trees and the Spanish moss. It is worth a quick stop if you are ever in the area.