Although the front yard understandably warrants most of our attention here in the Little Hacienda, The Outback, our little seaside hammock behind the house, is pretty unique for these parts.  Everybody on A1A can look out and see the ocean, can walk on the beach, but thanks to the original owners of this place, our natural refuge out back is the only one left for miles either way.

Consisting of palms, palmettos, Florida Bay trees, and a few oaks, it is a 100 x 100 foot

The Trail

glimpse of how it all looked along this coast before development.  On most of these barrier islands, the natural structure, carved over thousands of years, would be a dune rising at the ocean, then a trough to the west of that, and another dune, with another trough, which maintains elevation essentially down to the west side of the island.  You can still see this structure on the few undisturbed barrier islands, like Big and Little Talbot,

Old A1A

and parts of Amelia.  Here, old A1A was built in the first trough after the dune, essentially filling it.  Our house was built atop the second dune, so behind there is a significant drop.  Typically this is where a “Hammock” will thrive.  In winter the trees lose most of their leaves, allowing some of the afternoon sun to warm the house.  They are leafing out now, and through the summer months there is a lovely cool shade back there.

The Deck

The prior owners made a few winding paths and lined them with coquina stone.  We’ve put up a wood fence all around, put in a garden and built a deck down the slope, but we’ve mostly just left it alone.  You can truly get lost back there, and the way the light changes in the leaves at different times through the year is a constant marvel.  On a overlook bench just out the back door is our favorite place

From the Shower

to spend an evening, weather permitting.  The outdoor shower we use when coming up from the beach offers a lovely panorama over the crotons.  For many years the Outback has been home to doves, Cardinals in spring, several rascal squirrels, the occasional raccoon and ‘opossum, a Great Horned Owl for a time, various snakes, box turtles, and a Gopher Tortoise.  Three cats are entombed there.

In the hollow of the Outback, traffic noise is very faint, but the sound of the ocean hangs up in the trees.  Remarkable.

Looking Back at the Little Hacienda

Penta