Fort Pierce Inlet State Park was amazing right off the bat. As soon as I drove up I knew I was going to have a great time. The ranger was super sweet and stamped my passport. She took the time to tell me about the two sides on the park – right was the inlet and left was the beach. I made my way to the right, spotting a bobcat crossing sign. I felt a little alarmed. I had never seen a bobcat in real life and the thought of seeing one in the wild terrified me but I pressed on anyway.
I walked in all the little coves and found my way to some rocks that looked fun to walk along. It was a perfect place to take the picture that my friends requested. They asked me to take pictures periodically to document my travels, making sure I was safe. I stepped on what I thought was a rock and fell right through. Thankfully the ground was not too far away. I snapped the picture for my friends while I was down there. I looked across the way and spied a man enjoying the scenery I had just enjoyed moments before. Being the creeper I am, I stole that moment he was having with a picture. I sat down where I was reflecting on my trip and my feelings. I was on a roller coaster of emotions but trying to keep myself together. Then I wondered what he might be thinking of in his moment. The effect nature has on us humans is so intriguing to me.
I took in some deep, salt air breaths and then I made my way to the car to explore the beach side. It was too risky to walk far from my car with the rain so I drove my car to the other side instead of walking. In the parking lot I found a walkway to the beach and headed down it, crossing paths with that man on the beach. We exchanged pleasantries and went our separate ways. I walked along the shoreline a few feed and then went back to the parking lot to see if there was anything else I needed to explore.
I found the coastal hammock so I tucked in there for a little a hike. The loop was supposed to take 30 minutes but I swear I did it in half the time. All I kept thinking about was that bobcat crossing sign I read earlier. Halfway through my brisk walk I ran into the kind stranger I spotted before and we talked a few moments about animals and things of that nature. I headed back to my car to start planning the next part of my day.
I looked up and spotted the man heading out of the hammock and walking towards his car. When he turned it caught my attention, so I rolled down my window. He asked me what I was doing next and I told him I was going to a park. He asked if I cared to join him at a park just down the street. Now I do not typically get into cars with strangers but there was something very calming about his spirit that I said ok. Followed by, if you hurt me my dad will kill you. He said I did not have anything to worry about with him and I believed him.
Chris and I had a wonderful time hiking around not one but two nearby parks. We just talked about life and nature and it was just such a lovely afternoon. There is just something so special about being in nature and being in it with someone who loves too. It was a beautiful, instant friendship and I was so happy I allowed it to happen. On my State Parking journey I was learning to Follow my dreams, my passion and my instincts. As I did that, I continued to meet people along the way that confirm that message because they too were following theirs!
Before you visit, make sure you check out the parks website for all of the up-to-date park information: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fort-pierce-inlet-state-park
