Florida Guide > State Parks
Myakka State Park – part 2
When we had finished the boat and tram trips we decided to have lunch at the small restaurant that is there at present. We had a very good value lunch and shared a large BBQ ribs sandwich, more than enough for the two of us. While we were eating we were entertained by a very cheeky squirrel. You are told not to feed him but needless to say people were ignoring the notices but they paid the price as the squirrel would jump up on the table and quite literally take the food out of diner’ s hands, so it is case of heeding the notices or go without your lunch.
They are in the process of building a brand new building which will house the gift shop, restaurant and the hire center for the bikes, etc. Apparently the current ones occasionally gets flooded so the new one is being built on stilts. I would think by the look of things it will be open during the summer of 2008.
After lunch we had a short walk around the lake, however it was very warm that day so we all decided instead to have a drive along some of the other roads and then visit the Canopy Walkway. We drove initially along the North Drive which loosely follows the lake and takes you to the North Gate. This entrance is only open at weekends and State holidays though. Unfortunately we did not see much wildlife this particular day but were told by one regular visitor that you can see many birds on some days, and even alligators sunning themselves on the roadway.
After this we decided that the Canopy Walkway was a must. This was opened in 2000 and is described as an outdoor laboratory for observing wildlife. At the time of opening it was the first of its kind in the US. It is suspended 25 feet above the ground and is 100 feet long through the trees. At one end there is a tower which rises to 74 feet above the ground. If you suffer from altophobia (fear of heights) perhaps this would not be for you though. Once at the top you are way above the tree tops and you can see for miles, on a clear day you would be able to see to the Gulf. You are looking down on the trees and are even above the birds. We spent at least 30 minutes up there as it was really fascinating watching things going on below.
All-in-all we found this another interesting place to visit and again so different from the Orlando area attractions.
Well worth a visit
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