Hiking at Loxahatchee National Wildlife

As I was returning to my room after making plans for Saturday, Mattia asked me, “Tek, What’s your plan for this Sunday?” Taking a moment to ponder, I replied, “I haven’t made any plans yet! Do you have any?” I asked curiously, hoping to join him if he had something in mind. He enthusiastically responded, “Me, Hannah, and some other girls are going hiking at a national park.” The mention of hiking immediately caught my attention, and without even asking which national park, I eagerly requested to join them. Mattia warmly included me in the plan.

However, Sunday morning presented a challenge as the weather brought pouring rain and a high risk alert for tornadoes in West Palm Beach. Despite the adverse conditions, I remained hopeful as the weather forecast predicted warm and sunny conditions in the afternoon. I frequently glanced outside the window, observing the tumultuous rain and strong winds that reminded me the monsoon climate of my country. Impatiently, I awaited the weather to improve. Several hours later, the vibrant sun emerged in the sky with its scorching rays, and we made the decision to head to the national park around 2 pm.

I sat in the backseat with Hannah and Deborah, while Juliana drove the car with Mattia at front– Cata and Namrata in the middle. During the journey, Hannah showcased her impressive British accent, while Deborah and I struggled to spell “Bottle of water” correctly. Hannah also entertained us with the specific names given to different types of shoes and cars, of which I had no prior knowledge, adding a fun twist to our conversation. Like this after thirty-minute drive, we arrived at the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Reserve and inquired about the available activities.

After our discussion, we decided to start our exploration with kayaking before embarking on the hiking trail. However, upon reaching the kayaking spot, we discovered that it was already closed for the day. Even if it had been open, the gusty wind, which even snatched Juliana’s cap away, would have posed significant challenge for sailing. Nevertheless, nature had a delightful surprise for us. We witnessed alligators basking in the sun near the canal’s edge. It was my first time seeing these creatures up close, their seemingly calm demeanor blending perfectly with the waves of the water. I could distinctly see their two large eyes staring at me and long mouths.

We saw another alligator at another lake later that day when we traversed around the reserve. It was a little baby alligator presenting itself like a model posing for the picture.

At hiking trial, we were offered a different delight - the chance to immerse ourselves in the diverse wildlife. Under the intense sun, the tall trees cast gentle shadows, while the air resounded with the melodies of birds. It was a truly soothing environment. Witnessing the woodpecker’s rhythmic tap-tap-tap as it attempted to pierce the wood was a special sight to behold.

The intensity of the sun reminded me of a recent incident involving Nikola. “A few days ago, he spent four straight hours swimming at the beach without sunscreen and ended up with a severe sunburn, turning as red as a tomato.” In that exact moment, my eyes fell upon two fallen leaves—one green and one yellow—and somehow I draw a comparison between them and Nikola before and after going beach. When I shared this observation with the others, it brought about a burst of laughter.

We attempted to explore as much of the reserve as time and our energy permitted. All of us were keenly observing nature, becoming excited when birds flew near us and even when a lizard crawled across our path. Our enthusiasm extended to the sighting of insects like grasshoppers. One particular moment stood out when we encountered a red grasshopper, a species new to all of us. We were even able to hold it in our hands. At times, I found myself searching for Fibonacci numbers in fallen tree branches. These seemingly trivial moments enhanced the overall memorability of that day.

After more than four hours of continuous walking in the heat, we made the decision to head back. I was utterly exhausted, longing to reach the hotel and fall into a deep sleep. As we drove back, when I was was nearly falling asleep, the sudden jolt of the car forced me to awake. I realized we narrowly avoided an accident, and I was immensely grateful for Juliana’s composure that prevented the car from spiraling out of control.

Though the day turned out differently from what I initially expected when Mattia told me about the hiking plan (imagining walking upon rocky trails with steep ups and downs, enjoying panoramic views and taking refreshing breaths of fresh air when feel tired), it was still a unique experience to explore the protected wildlife in the subtropical heat of Florida with six fascinating people. Despite the unexpected twists and turns, the day was truly fantastic and definitely worth remembering.