Pictures from my walk in May, 2009 of the Eastern Lake / Cassine Trail in South Walton of Walton County, Florida, leading to the old historic Eastern Lake Bridge and a bygone road to the beach. This is the bridge and road Bob Swinford talks about in my "Moon-dreaming" blog. This walk probably rates in the top 10 things I've done in my life. Beautiful day, beautiful scenery. The environment and scenery was very much like it was many years ago when Bob and Mickey were "Moon-dreaming." A bonus was my childhood Eastern Lake beach area girlfriend from Atlanta was in SoWal and we took this walk together. She is a birding and plant aficionado and added so much to the journey. We used to ride her horses around Eastern Lake beach.

I'll add pictures in the order taken on our walk. Additional commentary will also be added later.


We started our tour at the trail that begins on Scenic 30A across the street from the Eastern Lake Nursery. There are a few other trails that will get you to the Old Historic Eastern Lake Bridge, but this is quick and easy.


You will be walking through a Florida...

Ancient People: Ancient Middens

Shaping Florida by Brenda Rees
"Where Nature's Best Meets History"
All Rights Reserved (c) 2009
Photographs by Brenda Rees

Seaside Institute, Dr. Judith Bense, Ancient Middens
Dr. Judith Bense was the guest speaker at the Seaside Institute in May, 2005. Dr. Bense was head of the archaeology department at the University of West Florida. She is also acting President at UWF now. (Update: Dr. Bense if President of UWF) Seaside is of course in South Walton where the first part of the program occurred. Then, we took a field trip to Camp Helen on Lake Powell, a coastal dune lake that is still partially in Walton County. This entire area of Phillips Inlet was in the original borders of Walton County in 1824. Dr. Bense's talk on native peoples in this area and their ancient middens still in existence was particularly interesting. Dr. Bense also featured the 1559 Tristan de Luna anchor found by UWF research teams and currently on display at the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum. The anchor was found in the Pensacola area.


Tristan de Luna Anchor, 1559, and Dr. Judith Bense at Seaside Institute 2005.

...

Britton Hill at Lakewood Park in Walton County, Florida – Is the Highest Elevation in Florida and the Lowest High in the United States of America. Elevation 345 feet above sea level.

This most unique feature in Walton County, Florida may explain the different shoreline in Northwest Florida from other parts of Florida as well as why some of the most ancient native people’s remains are in this area. Read about the history of Walton County, Florida, home to Florida's highest point, in my other blogs.

(LOG ON TO SEE ALL PICTURES!)
Here are pictures from the Britton Hill, Lakewood Park. It is about a 50 minute drive from SoWal. Directions: Begin at intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Highway 331 in Santa Rosa Beach. Take Highway 331 north from South Walton. Proceed through DeFuniak Springs. Turn left at Highway 90 traffic light. At next light, turn right and resume travel north on Highway 331. Near Paxton in North Walton you will see a sign for Lakewood Park. Turn right and shortly the park will be on your left.\

Shaping Florida
By Brenda Rees
Photographs by Brenda Rees

...