Vortex Tours are a key to Unlocking Nature Connection

An Ecotour with a Nature Connection Twist!

First day of operation for Sarasota Vortex Tours; and I took a journey into my heart. It’s a Monday morning, so the tour departed from Myakka River State Park. Myakka River is 1 of 3 wild and scenic rivers in Florida (https://friendsofmyakkariver.org/Wild-and-Scenic-River). Taking an eco-tour of a state-designated wild and scenic river means that you experience world-class natural, cultural, and recreational landscapes. The Myakka landscape is a pristine example of wild, marshy wetlands and scenic prairies shaped by oak and palm hammocks. 

Section of the Myakka Trail

The Foundations of an Ecotour

The tour starts at the log cabin inside Myakka River State Park. The logs are trunks from the state tree, the Sable Palmetto. These trees are all over Sarasota and grow both at the beach and on riverbanks. This micro hike from the parking lot to the river is our first of three vortex locations. At the first location, our main intention is to greet the river. Then, we explore our personal energy vortex. This is the warm up for the longer hikes in the eco-tour. Since we are hiking 2-4 miles, it is important that we warm up our bodies for the physical and energetic explorations. It’s at this first stop on the eco-tour that I invite participants to play spot the wildlife. A vortex tour is about connecting to nature, and part of that relationship is listening to how she communicates with us.

Myakka River Vortex Tour

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The first animal I saw was an alligator; multiple gators lounging half in the river. What I observed about them was how close their hearts are to the Earth. Literally hugging it. What I notice is their peace. They are totally relaxed. They don’t spend a lot of time and energy pursuing, they have a lot of patience. I think I have a lot to learn from the patient heart of the gator. Traditional eco-tours can spend half a day just looking for gators. At Myakka River State Park, you can see gators within minutes of entering the park. This eco-tour won’t explain the diet of a gator or their mating habits, but it will help you explore the spiritual or energetic meaning behind seeing a gator in the wild. 

Vortex Signs in the Sky

The most remarkable part of the day was when a huge flock of white birds flew low overhead from behind. They were moving in the same direction as I was; which makes for a good omen. So I quickly recalled where my thoughts were before the birds came into my awareness. I was just ideating on a community event I was thinking about planning. Those birds were a huge confirmation. YES, plan that event because it will be successful. I’m grateful for the nature communication that helps me understand my inner self. At times when I feel unsure, nature finds a way to boost my confidence and get me pointed in the right direction. 

The second location requires a short drive to the Powerline trailhead. This double track trail is great for those who are new to eco-tours because the trail is wide and flat. That means it is also open and sunny, so please remember to bring a hat and sunglasses. Sarasota is sunny year round, so be prepared for sun on your eco-tour. We’re on this trail a short distance, just past the all weather trail. The hiking trails in Myakka State Park are marked with standard state park signage; waist-high posts with colored marks, that blend in if you aren’t looking for them. What we are looking for next is the Myakka Hiking Trail. It’s a single track backpacking trail that winds through the park. Here is where we find refuge from the open prairie and seek the shade of the palm and oak hammock. The second location is where we connect to the Earth vortex.

Regenerative Ecotourism

Along the way I saw a turkey and several butterflies. Those are also common omens for me that signal good times and safe environments. Sarasota Vortex Tours is built upon the goal of having a good time and making the environment a better place. So I picked up trash when I saw it, and today there was a lot! I safely collected and disposed of: 1 cigarette butt, 1 candy wrapper, 1 piece of broken glass, and 2 paper napkins. Responsibility and disciplne are key differences between a conventional eco-tour and an ethical eco-tour, or regenerative eco-tour.  

When time permits and the group has energy to hike another mile, there is a third location deeper into the trail that holds a very special tree; the goddess tree. The third vortex is the sky vortex. If you want to learn more about the 3 vortexes, join me on a tour.