Up and out early after a quick breakfast downstairs, we breeze through the rest of Georgia and hit the Florida state line (ick) by 8:30.  Now onto the bad driving capital of the world!  It is always a wonder how these people survive driving in this state and today is no different.  They are just certifiable crazy lunatics on the roads!  Yikes.  The total drive time today is a little over 6 hours, but we have planned a stop for some hiking at a couple of State Forests outside of St. Augustine to break up the drive.

Arriving at our first destination, Mantanzas State Forest – a 4,700 acre conservation area with lots of different wildlife and diverse ecosystems – we find that the one road in has a padlocked gate.  Hmmmm.  We didn’t see anywhere online that said we had to pay for entry, although a sign at the entrance parking lot says something about a day fee.  There is a sign that says to call the park office for the gate code, but not knowing if we have to pay or anything we scuttle that idea and head straight to our next stop, the Faver-Dykes State Park, about 10 minutes away.

Here we know we have to pay – $5 honor system box – which we duly deposit and make our way into the 6,000 acre park centered around Pellicer Creek which runs through the land. There are two half-mile loop nature walks we plan to take, along with finding a nice picnic bench for our lunch.  We find the nature trails easily enough – the first by the kayak boat ramp about a mile inside the park.  We have the place essentially to ourselves as we walk out onto the fishing dock to enjoy the peaceful Creekside views, then over to the nature loop through the marshland, looking for birds and other wildlife.  We didn’t see the birds, but we heard them and our Merlin App captured a Great Crested Flycatcher and a Northern Mockingbird. Pretty cool!  We did see some wild looking trees that were in some sort of controlled burn – with burnt away blackened trunks that suddenly turn into the normal grey bark of the unburnt tree.  That was interesting.

Walk done, we headed out to the end of the park road, where the campground is located (currently closed for renovations) and found a 2.4 mile path!  Yes!  Unexpected bonus.  This is the Hiram Faver Trail, named for the man who donated over 700 acres in the park to be “saved in perpetuity for all the people, for pleasure and recreation” (the park is named for his parents Alexander Hall Faver and Florida Dykes Faber) which runs through 3 plant communities (Mesic flatwoods [pines], maritime hammock [oaks], and tidal marsh), ending at the Carter Planation site overlooking Pellicer Creek.  The area was occupied by Native Americans and later Spanish and British Settlers, the creek is actually named after the earliest settles in 1790. 

It’s a lovely hike, all the way through the moss laden trees (sort of like ghost trees in Florida!), culminating at the peaceful creek overlook.  Fortunately, there is as much shade as sun, as the temperatures are rising, yet we are quite comfortable on our little jaunt.

Back at the car, we retrace our steps toward the exit, stopping again at the kayak dock where there is THE perfect picnic bench under a moss-covered tree right on the creek.  Excellent spot for our fried chicken lunch. 

Then it’s back to the crazy highway that gets more and more crowded and slow as we move further south. 4+ hours later, we arrive in Deerfield Beach to our overnight home, the Ashley Brooke hotel, an adorable little old style Florida hotel/motel that is surprisingly amazing.  Situated in a U shape around a small little pool, the rooms all open out onto pool, each with a set of comfy patio furniture to use on the pool deck.  Emre, the owner/operator provides everything. Seriously, everything!  He has a little refrigerator with water and beer and whisky coolers.  There are books, flashlights and suntan lotion by the pool.  Beach chairs, umbrellas, beach towels are all available by the office.  Perfect for the beachgoers!  Inside, the accommodations are fabulous. Cutest huge room with 2 comfy recliners placed to watch TV.  A galley style full kitchen with all the utensils you would ever need, plus a package of coffee for a full pot of coffee in the morning.  Massive walk in closet with full bath, including bathtub, off of it.  Absolutely perfect. 

After organizing our bags a bit, and changing into shorts (me), we take an exploratory walk along the beach promenade, which is nice and wide with a really strong cooling breeze.  A nice way to walk to check out our selected restaurant for the evening, Pukara Peruvian.  Back at the hotel we discover a peaceful little sitting area out back, away from the pool where we have our evening cocktails, then get ready for our dinner.

Once again we have reservations, not thinking we really need them, but we did.  This place is really small and busy, so we’re glad we reserved a table.  It’s a wonderful traditional Peruvian restaurant with all Peruvian (or at least Hispanic/Spanish speakers) wait staff (the owner/chef is definitely Peruvian) and fabulous food.  We ordered the Shrimp Causa – not only a beautiful dish, but an incredibly tasty one! – and mixed ceviche, which was equally fabulous, to share.  Excellent – and surprisingly filling for just those 2 dishes. 

We walked off the food on our 2 mile walk back to the hotel, then tucked into our cute little room for the night, finishing up the 2^nd half of the Matlock season finale.  Hitting the hay we sadly understood all the negative reviews about the noise.  Noisy adults staying way to late and being way to loud is the only negative about the whole place.  But it is a big negative. And there is no escape as every room faces the pool.  Sigh.  As well, perfection it’s not – but thankfully it is only for one night.