Happehatchee Center

What an interesting little place. Unfortunately it’s currently only open on Fridays & Saturdays but lucky for us I happen to call and there was someone there on a random Tuesday morning. The kindly invited us over so we went. Woo hoo! My parents just got a place around the corner and I wish I was staying longer to be able to enjoy all that the center has to offer like yoga, drum circles, tai chi, reiki and all types of spiritual lectures and classes. Apparently you can just take a kayak and return it when you are finished! That’s it! This place is definitely right up my alley. A peaceful gem in an otherwise busy Estero.
What I did get to see, I loved. They have a labyrinth and an amazing suspension bridge in the back. It’s off a main road but you would never know it when you are there. It’s hidden and quiet. Very relaxing. They have this wood fence with great motivational sayings. I will definitely have to come back, visit my parents and take a class here. I could move in. It just has that chill vibe. Very healing. Feels like the jungles Of Costa Rico.

My time in Florida was winding down. I needed one last shot of sunshine before I dragged my feet back to Boston, so when my host for the week suggested a kayak trip before heading to the Fort Myers airport, I agreed.
The backstory I was given on the way: Happehatchee is a spiritual center run by a benevolent old lady who wants people to be happy, so she donated her land for community use. Pretty awesome if you ask me.
Corkscrew Road is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, room-​for-​one-​car-​only path into paradise. Past the parking lot and palm/​bamboo trees you’ll find a drum circle clearing, a rope bridge complete with jingling chimes and a meeting house for group activities. After a mini tour (the bouncy bridge made me just a sliiiight bit nervous, especially since a morning yoga class was just letting out), we headed for a freestanding rack of kayaks.
Here’s the deal: You take a kayak out. You return it. Simple as that. No one regulates the time you’re out. The Center requests a donation, but ostensibly the activity is free. It’s clear you’re expected to not be an asshole and put things (oars, life jackets) back where you found them. I’m pretty sure being treated like an adult ensures that.
For two hours we kayaked along the banks of neighboring Koreshan State Park. The people we passed in canoes and boats all waved. Everyone seemed happy, and why not? The sun was out, the breeze was cool. I was sad to leave such a peaceful place.