SERENE SCENERY
Spring Hammock Preserve supplies peaceful surroundings and hiking
Seminole County’s Spring Hammock Preserve isn’t far from urban Winter Springs and Lake Mary, but it’s possible for visitors to feel far removed from civilization when traversing the land’s flood plain forests and hydric hammock.
The 1,500-acre preserve is home to some of Florida’s oldest and largest cypress trees, as well as rare species such as the bipinnate culpet fern and the gopher tortoise.
At the trailhead, visitors can find several covered pavilions with picnic tables and an Environmental Studies Center designed for Seminole County elementary schoolers and outdoor education. After parking, it’s easy to hop onto the paved Cross Seminole Trail on foot or bike from the preserve.
The most common route for hikers is the 2.2-mile Osprey Trail, where it’s possible to spot great blue herons, pileated woodpeckers, cardinals, squirrels, ibis and other wildlife. Alligators, bobcats and wild hogs may also be present in the area. Look out for spider webs along the way, as arachnids often stretch their sticky silk across the trail.
A number of boardwalks used to take hikers to different sections of trail, many of which are now boarded up or in need of repair. Still, it’s possible to see some ancient cypress trees while wandering next to flood plains near Soldiers Creek, which leads into
Lake Jesup.
When heading back toward the trailhead, a detour on the Robin Trail intersects with the Cross Seminole Trail and provides new views of Soldiers Creek while walking beneath towering oak trees and next to saw palmettos.
Across the street, Soldiers Creek Park offers restrooms and a fun, short mountain bike trail in an easily-accessible location.
On weekdays, the trails are quiet and serene, though it’s still possible to hear the faint noise of traffic in the distance on U.S. Highway 17-92. Despite that, Spring Hammock Preserve should serve as a beautiful setting for a morning walk or evening escape, tucked away from the trials of urban life.
Important information
Location: 2985 Osprey Trail in Longwood
Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily
Amenities: Covered pavilions, picnic tables, hiking trail, paved trail, education center, parking, trash cans, wheelchair accessibility
Activities: Birding, biking, hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing
What to bring: Pack a camera to capture the natural scenery available in the preserve. Hiking boots are also recommended in case of muddy areas. Bug spray may be a helpful addition during warm and humid days.
What not to bring: Alcoholic beverages are
prohibited on Seminole County natural lands. Hunting, swimming, camping, tampering with plants and wildlife, fires and motorized vehicles are also not allowed.
Pets: Leashed pets are welcome to enjoy the natural space at Spring Hammock Preserve.
Pro tips: A trip to the preserve can serve as a quick hiking escape or turn into an all-day adventure, especially when combining visits to other nearby green spaces. Pack a picnic or spend more time outdoors by visiting Soldiers Creek Park next door, or nearby Big Tree Park with a big cypress thought to be thousands of years old.
More information: 407-665-2211 or seminolecountyfl.gov
Do you have suggestions for my next destination or just want to get in touch? Find me on Twitter @ PConnPie, Instagram @ PConnPie or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
Need help setting the mood on Valentine’s Day? Check out these romantic movies recommended by Orlando Sentinel staffers.
LGBTQ romances to a passionate sports story
“The Way He Looks” is a Brazilian film about a blind boy falling in love with his best friend. It’s an extremely tender comingof-age film that captures what it means to fall in love for the first time from a super unique perspective. Watch it free on Amazon Prime Video.
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is an absolutely incredible French film about two women in 18th century Brittany falling in love on an island. It’s extremely intimate and honest. I just think it’s one of the best queer love stories I’ve ever seen. Watch it on Hulu.
I also have a soft spot for “Love & Basketball.” It’s another coming-ofage story about a couple growing up with each other, but it’s also a love story about basketball and what it means to pursue a dream. It highlights the start of the WNBA and the growth of women’s sports in a really unique way too! Watch it on Hulu or HBO Max. There’s also a Feb. 14 showing at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas in Winter Garden.
“Once” is another favorite for the music alone. The story is also really beautiful, even though it doesn’t have a traditional happy ending. Watch it on HBO Max.
’Moonstruck’
It’s funny and has great chemistry between the characters, particularly Cher and Nicolas Cage. Plus, I’m a sucker for movies about Italian families. And the soundtrack is terrific.
Watch it starting at $3.99 on Google Play, iTunes or YouTube.
— Mike Lafferty
’Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’
In this energetic romantic-action-comedy film, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) finds that Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has skated right
into his heart. But in order to date his dream delivery girl, Scott must first defeat Ramona’s seven evil exes.
Buckle up, as this one’s definitely more actionpacked than “The Notebook” (and has cooler visual effects, too).
Along the journey, Scott gets closer with Ramona and then almost loses her before an epic, fate-determining battle at the Chaos Theater. The movie’s protagonist must reckon with the hearts he’s broken in the past, find his inner self-respect and win back the woman of his dreams. It’s a twisty, fun and exciting narrative that never gets old. Watch it on Netflix.
— Patrick Connolly
’Stardust’
If you like your romance leavened with humor and mixed with magic, check out “Stardust,” a 2007 film based on Neil Gaiman’s delightful book of the same name.
Set in a magical land, a young man tries to retrieve a fallen star to win the affection of a beautiful woman — but it turns out the star is also a woman, played by Claire Danes — and she is in high demand. A witch wants her for nefarious purposes. A bunch of princes with evil intent are also on her trail. And our hero, played by a pre-”Daredevil” Charlie Cox, finds himself on a madcap adventure that causes him to question where his heart truly lies.
Part of the fun comes from the all-star cast: Michelle Pfeiffer as the witch, Robert De Niro as a loopy pirate captain, Rupert Everett as one of the princes, Ian McKellen as the narrator. (Also look for Sienna Miller and Ricky Gervais.)
And although romances follow a fairly conventional formula, “Stardust” soars by taking unconventional detours along the way. The off-kilter comedy keeps it from being too schmaltzy, but in the end, you can be sure love will win the day. Watch it on Netflix.
— Matthew J. Palm
’The Princess Bride’
The sweeping romance of “The Princess Bride” is surpassed only by its versatility. Within this perfect love story are a fairy tale, a comedy and a fantasy adventure with revenge plots. There is swordplay, magic and banter so epic and quotable it’s, well, inconceivable.
One can watch “The Princess Bride” alone for any occasion. And I have — back in the days when channel surfing was a thing. But those days are long gone. I watch far less TV, and yet this film is one I’d seek out over and over again, even as my friends’ suggested watch lists grow larger and more lumbering than Andre the Giant’s endearing Fezzik.
But watching “The Princess Bride” with one’s own Westley or Buttercup is an exponential and infinitely repeatable experiment in the warmest of warm fuzzies. To the point where when your love tells you, for the 212th time, that he or she wants to watch it, there’s only one suitable answer.
“As you wish.” Watch it on Disney+ or Hulu.
— Amy Drew Thompson
’The Wedding Singer’
If I’m being honest, I would have chosen “10 Things I Hate About You,” but since I already wrote about that for a previous Sentinel column, I present to you my runner-up: “The Wedding Singer.”
The movie shows the best (decadent cakes and great music) and worst — like awful best man speeches, especially one delivered by Steve Buscemi — of weddings. And it marks the first of three Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore on-screen romances.
The 1998 rom-com set in the ‘80s follows wedding singer Robbie Hart (Sandler), who is left at the altar by his fiancée Linda on his wedding day.
Brokenhearted, he returns to work only to deliver a terrible, hate-fueled performance. Hart vows to give up wedding singing but gets roped into helping engaged waitress Julia Sullivan (Barrymore), who he met on the job, plan her nuptials.
In typical rom-com fashion, the two characters fall for each other, but will they end up together?
Watch it starting at $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes or YouTube.
Want to reach out? Email me at kchristiansen@ orlandosentinel.com. Find more fun things on Instagram @fun.things.orlando and Facebook @fun.things. orlando.