First Day Hike at Crystal River, Part Two

New Year’s Day 2021 was amazing. We had thought to do a short guided hike at Crystal River Archaelogical State Park (read about that here), but it turned into a day of short hikes, and it’s hard to say which was our favorite!

Mullet Hole

Mullet Hole is visible from the road leading to the State Park offices at Crystal River. Just a short way down from the marker sign, there’s a nice parking area. We were shocked at how busy this small area was! With a hiking trail, a small kayak launch, and several lovely banks for fishing, there was much more activity here than at the Mounds.

We did not hike the trail, deciding instead to scout out the area for a future visit. At the end of the kayak launch, we saw a couple of kayaks leaving the area, and a gentleman was whistling and fishing. We intruded on the cheerful fisherman’s solitude, and after a short conversation he warned that the kayak launch is difficult when the tide is out because of the drop-off. Soon after this, Steve learned that part of the difficulty is the very slick algae that covers the rocks as the tide goes out. He slipped and somehow escaped bruises or sprains. . .luck of the new year!

As we continued to follow the shoreline, we saw many more people fishing. Not sure if they were catching, but the scene was serene and relaxing. I can see why they would choose to spend a morning in the sun at this spot.

At the part of Mullet Hole closest to the road, we saw a couple of vultures sunning themselves on the bank. They appeared to be good buddies, because when they flew off together, we watched as they landed on a limb and flew away again, together the whole time.

Mullet Hole looks like a great spot to spread a blanket on the ground and enjoy a picnic on a sunny day. We will explore the hiking trail on our next visit.

Fort Island Trail and Fort Island Beach

Fort Island Trail is a heavily used area. There’s a nice set of restrooms, a shady picnic area, and a boat launch into the Crystal River. We stopped here because we had been told it was a good spot to view the largest of the Crystal River mounds from the other side of the water. We did, indeed see the mound, but it was not as impressive as we had hoped, and I didn’t even bother to take a photo. Still, we could imagine how imposing it must have appeared when it was gleaming white and three times as large as it is today!

It is always fun to happen upon a spot with no expectations and then find that it is a treasure. That is exactly how I would describe Fort Island Beach. There’s a parking area, a beautiful sugar sand beach, a fishing pier, a boat launch. . .and Steve and I poked around on the dune trails to discover a beautiful area of white mangroves filtering tidal water that was running out to the beach. I simply cannot resist water moving through mangroves and Steve put on his patience like a robe and followed me through some plants that looked like succulent rosemary to find where the water met the beach.

The sand was covered with oyster shells and tiny, tiny crabs. They were so small and so quick I couldn’t catch them in a photo, and we laughed that they looked like ticks. Had they been actual ticks, we wouldn’t have been laughing.

The New Years Day crowd was really pouring in as the morning turned into mid-day. This looks like a beach where an early arrival is the best way to ensure that you’ll find just the spot you want. It was busy without feeling crowded, and I’d love to spend a whole day here enjoying the views and sounds of the water, beach and sky.

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We have no idea what this marshmallow was doing in the parking lot, but who cares? It was there, and it brought joy to our day. It was just as random as our discovery of this spot. May your 2021 be full of such unexpected and random delights!