Alex Outdoors

Another new-to-me trail event! I would never have expected such fun, elevated trails to be around Lakeland, but that just goes to show you that you have to go out and explore. Because you never know........

I don't think I would have chosen this park as a solo hiking destination, but why not give something new a try? Especially when I have less than an hour to my destination! Even if the trail around the lake here is only a little over 2 miles long, we enjoyed our little hike just the same (we repeated the loop 3x)  :)

Whenever I don't feel like driving far and look for a nearby trail I end up here in Thonotosassa, FL. Only a 45 minute drive, it's never a dull hike. The full loop is over 15 miles long; along with several MTB trails you always see something new & interesting.....

I consider myself very lucky. Lucky to be in good health & able to afford these explorations. Also, in this case, lucky to have family in an area rich with hiking opportunities within easy driving distance. Like this one, just about an hour and fifteen minutes south of my mom’s house in southern Germany. What more can one ask for? The sun was shining (until the end of the hike) and I again had the trails all to myself! 

Time is always limited whenever I fly to Germany to visit family. Some trips are 8 – 10 days long if I’m lucky, but most are restricted to a week or less, like this one. I’m always torn between spending time at home with my mom versus roaming the country in search of spectacular hiking routes, so on this trip I managed to do both: rising with the sun I drove about and hour or so to a nearby trail to hike, returning early afternoon to hang with the fam. Out of the 5 long hikes I had planned I managed only three, plus two long walks in a nearby forest. I guess I’ll have to go back to finish the other hikes still left unchecked on my list……Also, check out the oh-so-cool Game of Thrones castle I discovered during my outing: