Exploring the World with Pokémon Go: Hickory Bluff Preserve
I took a break from the trail and explored Hickory Bluff Preserve. Turns out this place has trails of its own.
Before I got to exploring Hickory Bluff Preserve, I took some pictures of the outer area. That is not to say this area didn’t have some cool stuff to see. And as I’ll mention down in the Pokémon Go segment, this spot was awesome in the game.
But past here is the real park and where the best pictures can be found. So let’s move on.
Once I dived into the woods at Hickory Bluff Preserve, I was met with some features in all my time exploring Florida that I had not met before. A trail that was allowed to be overgrown. Some spots had swamp water and muck trying to reclaim what humans had taken from it.
And I loved every second of that. Most of my adventures have been in well paved areas that get you near nature, but not fully in it. So this time, I embraced the experience. Naturally I watched my step since I didn’t want to sink into a bog, but there was something refreshing in being completely immersed in nature rather than being near it.
I noticed that there was grass being planted around the trail too. Or something similar. At first I was worried to step in it fearing it was signs of swamp. But after testing my footing, I realized that this was placed here. Not sure for what purpose, but perhaps this trail will look different in the future.
To the River:
Going even deeper into Hickory Bluff Preserve, I found more grass, some even deeper water spots, and plenty of beautiful sights. A shame that it doesn’t seem many visit this park. Its amazing here and offers a unique experience unlike what I have seen thus far for this Travel Blog.
One other thing that makes this adventure unique is how I kept making sure I was still on the trail. While I was not in danger of getting lost given the small area relatively of the park, there were several trails that went in and out of each other. I kept checking maps to make sure I hadn’t been all turned around.
And while the feeling of getting lost can be distressing, when completely immersed in nature like this, it was a new experience to me. And in a relatively safe environment that was neat.
Another neat thing I ran into, but once more couldn’t get a picture of were wild deer. I saw about three this time. According to the sign in the above picture, I came at the perfect time in the morning to spot them. And considering I keep adventuring in the morning to avoid Florida heat, its only a matter of time till I do get a picture of one.
The River:
The next section of Hickory Bluff Preserve would have seemed like the ones before it, but there was one major difference here. Those fences in the above pictures mark a water feature that those of you who have read this blog for a while should be familiar with by now.
Ever since I lived in Jacksonville, the Saint Johns River just can’t help but make appearance after appearance in this blog. Most recently it has guest starred in several of my posts even if indirectly. You might have heard me call it by other names such as Lake Monroe, Lake Jessup, and of course the Saint Johns River.
Though I knew my adventure was coming to a close at this point, it didn’t feel like it. By this point, my walk through the park was almost complete, but given how deep in the woods I appeared to be it was hard to believe I was near the parking lot again.
Beyond the River:
The final section that I explored at Hickory Bluff Preserve brought everything else I had seen together. More views of the Saint Johns River combined with signs telling me where the trails would go and how to get back to the parking lot marked the start. But there were plenty of other sights including a unique one.
I have read about Bat houses before, but this was the first time I had actually seen one. And it was habited. I could hear the little screeches and other noises I assumed bats would make but have never heard before.
Bats are neat. A shame that Covid has given them a worse reputation. Well and rabies but bats are an essential part of our ecosystem. Plus they eat mosquitos. Anything that eats those little jerks is good.
At the very end of my adventure I spotted a map of the park and the different trails. Turns out I explored the park backwards. Might have been easier to navigate if I had gone the other way. Oh well. This adventure was fun regardless. Can’t wait to find out what there is around the next corner.
Pokémon Go:
Most of Hickory Bluff Preserve is empty of Pokémon Go features. Deep in the forest spawns are practically non existent and cellular reception might be a problem too. With that in mind, you might be wondering why I mentioned the game at the start of this blog post. And that is because at the entrance to the park an entirely different Pokémon Go experience happens.
While there might be only a single stop and Gym, the spawns were everywhere. The above image shows the park after I caught most of what appeared. Nonstop Pokémon the entire time I was near the entrance might be a dream come true to some Pokémon enthusiasts.
But one more thing. Niantic, the company that makes Pokémon Go content released an item that will be a game changer for me on this blog. They added a daily lure that attracts Pokémon to you constantly for 15 minutes so long as you are moving. That drastically changes how I might rate some of the trails in the future. One of the best changes from them in a while if you ask me.
Krokorok is still my buddy for a bit longer. And they were right at home in these swamps. Just ignore the fact that they are a desert Pokémon and my description fits.
I hatched two eggs and while the Pokémon themselves were nothing special, the candy they provide is great for me. After all I have several Magenzone to use and even a couple Darmanitan. They all appreciate the extra candy.
Armed with bug spray and sunblock I felt pretty good about my adventure at Hickory Bluff Preserve. I’ll be hiking a long segment of a trail soon. But I might take a smaller adventure first. Look forward to wherever I choose next.