Foraging and hiking are two of my favorite things. From Alaska to Florida I have explored new trails and discovered new wild foods. There is something about cooking your foraged meal in the woods that I find quite centering. Add in a hammock along a pond, lake, or river to the mix and the day is complete. The simplicity of a day camp is often times more enjoyable than an overnight. Your prep, setup, and take down times are minimal and in the end you sleep in your own bed. Don’t get me wrong I love my overnight kayaking and hiking trips. However on those short, chore filled weekends, a foraging day camp can be quite satisfying.
Several days after my twelve mile hiking trip through the Bird Rookery Swamp Trail I was still nursing my damaged toe. So with a short weekend and the normal family needs requiring my attention at home I headed into the woods once again. This time however it was a short hike with more time simply lazing round the day camp. I checked out a couple trails with no success then headed to a another that I had been to before. If memory served me there was a nice scenic spot for a day camp where the trail ended.
As I drove down the narrow road leading to my destination I remembered seeing a trail across the canal. I veered off into a sandy trail that split off of the main road and soon discovered a trail entrance along the other side of the canal. To my surprise this turned into a beautiful well groomed trail that seemed to be a part of a longer horse back trail system. My recognition of several posts marked with a yellow patch was from my time exploring the nearby CREW trails which also connect up to the horse trails.
Winding along the side of this scenic canal I spotted fish splashing in the water as well as many different bird species. Foraging quickly became a part of the day as I discovered dollar weed, smilax, and bidens alba along the way. After about a mile and a half I found two trees directly along the waterway where I set up my hammock. I then prepared a trail lunch of pasta, herbs, and wild edible plants harvested along the way. With my appetite satisfied I laid back in the hammock and drifted into sleep along the scenic waterway.
Days like this make it hard to return back to the city and the normal day to day grind. The simple beauty and tranquility of the woods clears the mind and calms the soul. It washes away the negativity pounded into our minds by the world on a daily basis. Most of all it leaves us feeling refreshed and closer to the natural world and its wonders. Day camps are a simple easy way for anyone to get out and learn to breathe.
Day Camp Video
Scenes From The Trail
Map Of The Trail Location
