SFWMD STA #6

Any idea what those acronymns mean? South Florida Water Management District Stormwater Treatment Area #6. That's quite a mouthful, isn't it! (SFWMD is pronounced "swiftmud" - quite appropriate, don't you think?)

All of that is introduction to say we visited that area this week, (the lower yellow asterisk on the map above). There wasn't much to do once we arrived, but it was a beautiful day for the long drive, 40 miles of which were on a dirt road atop the canal dike. At least cars were allowed on these dikes, and we didn't have to hike them!

We started by driving out to the Harold A. Campbell Public Use Area (also known as STA 3/4) and then headed due west. We passed by the Holey Land Wildlife Management Area, crossed over the L-23 Canal, and then drove along the southern border of the Rotenberger W.M.A., before coming to a gate blocking the road at STA #6.

The Florida Trail sign is evidence that Wayne must have passed by here at some point in the past, but I'd have to explore old records to tell you when. 

Well I did some research; it looks like maybe the Florida Trail route has changed since ten years ago. Wayne and Michelle most likely hiked along the western edge of STA #5 during Segment 4, instead of the eastern edge of STA #6 that we visited this time. I hope that doesn't mean he needs to redo that segment! I doubt the scenery has changed much.

The plan was to eat our lunch at the end of the drive, but it was still too early, so we went back to the Campbell Public Use Area to do that, passing a lone, but beautiful, cypress tree along the way.

It was another gorgeous day in paradise!