Exploring the World with Pokémon Go: Lake Monroe Park
I continued a much earlier journey and visited Lake Monroe Park. It was my first adventure in Volusia County.
Lake Monroe Park has a few features I have not seen at many other parks. This might be a design in places in Volusia County though. Future blog posts will answer that riddle. The most prominent thing that stood out to me here was the gate house. Though no one was manning it at the time of my visit, I’m sure at some point it was used.
This park is split into three distinct sections. Each used for a different purpose. The above area is used for out door activities on land. Volleyball, open fields, and shelters to escape the sun for a bit dot the landscape. As usual with the larger parks, this space is well… spaced out so that several visitors can all enjoy this place safely.
I’m not sure if its time to move past Covid just yet. But the outdoors are calling people who stayed away for years. I imagine that as I go on adventures moving forward, I’ll be seeing more and more people enjoying their time outdoors.
By the Lake:
The second section of Lake Monroe Park is where it gains its name. Lake Monroe is right there after all. A massive lake that is both a water feature that has parks all around as well as the place I call home right now, there will be plenty of pictures of this lake that is actually a river. Its part of the St Johns River in fact. And if you have read some of my other blog posts, this is hardly the first time I have mentioned this river.
When I lived in Jacksonville, I had always wondered if it would be fun to get on this river and boat a bit. Well, Lake Monroe Park is one of the closest places to me if I want to get out on the water. Plenty of docks to use and for a bigger boat, parking to accommodate.
One interesting thing I noticed as I walked along the shoreline were benches placed perfectly to watch the water. Guess I’m not the only one with that idea. Of course I can look out at the lake from my bedroom window. I’m doing so while writing this blog post in fact. But the point of my blog is to go outside. There is something different about watching the sunrise from a park.
Right by the docks is a massive alligator art piece. Naturally any body of water in Florida has gators in them. And while these infamous reptiles rarely hurt people, it still doesn’t hurt to be cautious. Its definitely one of the reasons I have not gone out on the lake yet. Though not having a boat is another reason. I don’t plan to swim in Lake Monroe. One day I might go boating though.
Campsite:
The final section of Lake Monroe Park was its quietest. There are camping grounds at the park. And unfortunately I was not a guest that had signed up to access those parts. My adventure was cut a little short as a result. Not a problem though as there was plenty I had explored up to this point.
The most important thing I found though was the start of what will be my next adventure. From the Cady Way Trail and then the Cross Seminole Trail, my adventures have taken me across Orange and Seminole County. But that trail did not end at the bridge. It continues through this park and begins anew just as my next adventure will.
At the end of this specific journey, I found a map outlining several trails around Volusia County. Good thing I don’t need to commit them to memory. The power of pictures is quite potent.
Pokémon Go:
Let’s take a look at Lake Monroe Park in Pokémon Go. Not too much going on as far as Pokestops and gyms are concerned. At least not compared to some of the hot spots I have visited in the past. The spawns here though were much better and constant.
If you want to visit this park for Pokémon Go, come for the spawns. But stock up on items before you come here. As the limited stops might not be enough to keep your item flow up.
Sandile is still my buddy and had a great time when we visited Lake Monroe Park. Hopefully we don’t run into any actual gators. Look how small and adorable this Pokémon is. They wouldn’t stand a chance against a fully grown gator.
Wrap Up:
After not going out for a bit, it was nice to be outside for a while. I loved this park and I’m sure I’ll enjoy the trail even more. Get ready for another long journey filled with several parks. Volusia County is quite large and there is plenty to explore.