We visited the Gainesville area, which for us means camping at Paynes Prairie Preserve. Researching the trip, I realized that Micanopy had two small preserves we somehow missed in our travels, so we took a morning to explore them.
Located not far from the main street of Micanopy, we found the Tuscawilla Preserve, the Seminole name for the area from the time of Chief Micanopy. We walked into the entrance, and found kiosk with a map of the area, description, and history, and brochures with the hiking trails. Online research claimed 1.5 miles of hiking trails, but according to the brochure the trails measured less than a mile. We started off on a nice, slow hike. The high, dense tree canopy on the trail provided welcome relief from the sun as June in this area usually means highs of 89 degrees during the day, and this June started out hotter than usual.
We heard birds, and saw the occasional one fly by. The dragonflies and butterflies flew everywhere. Our state butterfly, the Zebra Longwing, moved from place in place in front of us giving me the opportunity for a shot. We found the overlook, which overlooks the marsh basin, and found it full of American Lotus in varying states of bloom.
The vegetation surrounding the trail leading to the edge of the basin felt like a small forest of thistle plants. Karl photographed me at 5’7”next to one individual to show their height. Insects busily worked the pollen in the thistle as I tried to photograph them.
The second preserve is right across the road, in fact, that is the parking lot you use to hike Tuscawilla. The Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve starts with a large board relating the history of the Native Americans in this area. As you move into the Preserve a marked trail appears, but no interpretation is given. We were told that a brochure explained the trail and was available at the board kiosk, but no brochures and no place for brochures. We walked to the museum building, but it was locked with no information of any sort on the outside except for the name. Behind the building is the remains of mound, fenced with a small placard in front. We hope to visit again and perhaps see the museum and find the brochure guide to the trail.
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