My LOST Biking Adventure

Since it is Earth Day, I thought it would be a great day to tell you about my recent biking adventure.  Actually, I should say riding adventure because I just sit in my basket while Ma or Daddy-dog pedals.  On this trip I went with Ma, Daddy-dog and Uncle Robbie on the LOST Trail (Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail).

Lake Okeechobee, An Important Resource

For those of you unfamiliar with South Florida, Lake Okeechobee is Florida's largest lake situated in the middle of five Counties (Palm Beach, Martin, Glades, Okeechobee and Hendry) and it is the second largest body of fresh water in the contiguous United States.  The word Okeechobee comes from the Seminole Indians - "oki" (water) and "Chubi" (big) - basically, "big water". 

Although it has a surface area of 730 square miles, the lake is actually quite shallow with an average depth of 9 feet.  Lake Okeechobee and its wetlands are at the center of a much larger watershed, the Greater Everglades, that stretches from the Kissimmee River through the Everglades and into Florida Bay.  The lake provides natural habitat for fish, wading birds and other wildlife and supplies both flood control and potable water for much of South Florida.

The lake's health was threatened in recent decades by excessive nutrients from agricultural and urban activities in the lake's watershed, by harmful high and low water levels and by the spread of exotic vegetation.  The Florida Legislature enacted the 2000 Lake Okeechobee Protection Act and the subsequent Lake Okeechobee Protection Program to restore the lake and its watershed. The Lake Okeechobee Protection Program is designed to restore and protect the lake by improving water quality and implementing long-term solutions through a variety of specific components.

On the LOST Trail

The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail is situated atop the Herbert Hoover Dike which surrounds the lake.  The dike is built (and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers) for flood protection, so it offers an elevated, unobstructed view all the way out to the horizon.  If you didn't realize that Florida was flat-Flat-FLAT, you will when you are on this trail.

From our starting point at Port Mayaca (my-ah-cah), we headed North and rode out and back for a total of 20 miles.  On this northern section of the trail, a canal runs along the other side of the dike and people actually have some really cool houses on the "mainland" across the canal.

Every few miles along the trail there are little covered benches for taking a rest in whatever bit of shade it can provide.  Other than these little benches, there are no trees, no shade and no restrooms on this trail.  It is wise to do like we did and pack a small cooler with additional water and some energy snacks (or in my case, some Zuke's Lil' Links - no energy snacks needed for those who do not pedal).

Since the LOST is on the elevated dike, there are no cars or anything to worry about when you are riding.  Bikers just need to be careful when crossing the locks because you have to squeeze through some gates.  All in all, it was a very peaceful, leisurely bike ride to enjoy all the scenery the lake has to offer.

A special thank you to Zuke's, Oz the Terrier Blog Sponsor, for Fueling My Biking Adventure!