Theodore Roosevelt National Park Review

Jacksonville, Florida's Theodore Rooselvelt Area is a little hidden gem.  Associated with Fort Caroline National Memorial, which has an intriguing tour of Timucuan Shell Mounds which you can visit via a seperate entrance, the Roosevelt area is 600 acres of forest which were privately owned by hermit Willie Brown until his death, when he assured that his forest-home would remain untouched. 

It now serves as a great (and light) hiking opportunity for nature-lovers.  It is not uncommon to pass two or three people on the trails, but if you are quite lucky (or go early enough) you should keep right to come across my favorite spot--the platform overseeing a salt marsh.  Herons are a common site here, as are other birds popping in and out of the grassy water.  As you near the salt marsh you will see discarded shells from the Timucuan Indians.  Here, the noise of the city areas of Jacksonville and of everyday life are long forgotten.

The Alligator Pond is also a small, lovely and magical spot which, to me, seems like it could be the home or playground for sprites and fairies.