Len, Marlene, Ellen, and I hiked 2+ hours through the trails of the scrub today. "Scrub" is not a derogatory term. Rather, sand pine scrub is one of the oldest ecosystem types in Florida. In ancient times when sea levels rose and inundated much of what is now Florida, these upland habitats were isolated by water, forming desert-like hilltop islands. During this period of isolation many species of plants and animals developed unique adaptations to the harsh, dry environment of the scrub lands. These rare and unusual species, called endemics, are found nowhere else in the world. The scrub is dominated by species such as sand live oak, myrtle oak, Chapman's oak, along with rusty lyonia and saw palmetto.
The trails were flooded in numerous sections, necessitating detouring and balancing and sometimes getting wet up to our ankles...
...but the pleaseant 60 degree temperature made it less onerous, especially compared to what we just left back in Chicago!
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