Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Blackpoint Wildlife Drive Park…

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2011-11-12 Merritt Island NWR 018Although we are now at Jonathan Dickinson State Park we spent the last few days at a really nice Passport America park called Seasons in the Sun Motorcoach Resort. What a nice park this is. The park has full hookups and is just a short distance off of Interstate Highway 95 (no road noise). Sites are large and spacious and included cable TV, however wifi was an additional charge. The cost for us was $22.43 per night with Passport America which included all taxes.

2011-11-12 Merritt Island NWR 010They also have a large clubhouse with a heated pool and hot tub. There are several ponds on the premises and a nature trail. Another plus for the park is that there are several orange and grapefruit trees scattered around that you are free to pick fruit from. Before we left we grabbed a fresh grapefruit to have for our departure breakfast.

2011-11-12 Merritt Island NWR 004While the park is really nice nearby Mims, Florida is a bit of a rundown town and doesn’t have a lot to offer. The city of Titusville is a bit nicer but not much. There are plenty of nice stores in Titusville including the RV’ers store of choice – Walmart. Titusville is found along the Indian River and is the county seat of Brevard County. It was brought to my attention that former great Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Collingsworth graduated from Astronaut High in Titusville.

Despite the shortcomings of the nearby towns you aren’t far from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive Park and Canaveral National Seashore. We could see staying at this park for a longer extended stay and finding plenty to do at these spots alone.

2011-11-12 Merritt Island NWR 024We really enjoyed our daytrip over to the Canaveral National Seashore where we lounged along the beach and I also partook in a bit of fishing as well. But the highlight of this area was our drive through the Blackpoint Wildlife Drive Park. Now keep in mind both of these parks are fee based but with your National Park Access Pass you get free entry.

This self guided drive takes you along marshes, ponds and uplands where you will see a lot of different species of birds… some of the many we were able to spot were the Great Blue Heron, Tri-colored Herons, Green-backed Herons, Wood Storks, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Reddish Egrets, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, large flocks of Gadwall, American Widgeon and American Coots. Double-breasted Cormorants, Common Gallinule, Anhinga, Belted Kingfishers and Pied-billed Grebes. We also saw many other species and other notable were Osprey, Northern Harriers and one stately Bald Eagle.

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If you are ever in this area I would recommend both the RV Park for a stay and then take a trip to this beautiful drive to enjoy the day… the ends…

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NOTE: Pictures, in order, are of a Reddish Egret in the marsh, Green-backed Heron in a mangrove bush, Snowy Egret poised for the kill, Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron sitting atop a Juniper tree (odd spot for it), the beauty of the unspoiled marsh, and a couple of Northern Shovelers bottoms up…

6 comments:

  1. I know I'd certainly enjoy that wildlife drive. :)

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  2. Looks like a nice spot to visit when in the area, thanks for the tour.

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  3. I just stumbled onto your blog at another blog. I will keep reading and try and catch up.
    Love your photos.

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  4. Great blog. I love the pictures. What a super adventure you two are on.

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  5. Sounds like a great place to stay and a wonderful drive. As the beer commercial says "Does it get any better than this?" :)

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  6. Both are going on our tracking list for full-timing. We really enjoyed the Wakodahatchee Wetlands near Delray Beach and ARM Loxahatchee NWR in Boynton. Keep them in mind if you're heading south.

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