I wrote Low-Tide Exploration in Florida because Florida’s low tide has been the backdrop to some of the most magical moments of my life. When I moved back to Florida some years ago, I barely knew my father. I had spent most of my childhood without him, and our relationship was a quiet one. But slowly, on weekends, my dad began to share the real Florida with me—starting with the coastlines at low tide.

It was during those first adventures, hiking through the mangrove tunnels with mud squishing underfoot, that everything began to change. The ground was alive with creatures we couldn’t see until the tide pulled back to reveal them. Crabs, fish, and sea stars, all waiting to be discovered. As we explored, my dad and I started connecting in a way we never had before. The more we hiked, canoed, and watched the tide come and go, the more we found common ground—no words needed.

We’ve huddled under our canoe during thunderstorms, paddled through mangrove tunnels so narrow we had to lean back to get through, and followed animal tracks left in the sand. Every time the tide goes out, a new mystery or adventure waits to be found, and it’s always a chance to connect with the wild beauty of Florida.

In writing this book, I wanted to share that magic with you. My hope is that, as you read these pages, you’ll see the world as I did when I first walked through those mangrove tunnels, with the tide receding, leaving behind a world full of possibilities.

I hope you fall in love with Florida at low tide as much as I did. I want you to feel the excitement of finding animal tracks in the sand, the thrill of uncovering hidden treasures, and the peaceful beauty of watching a bird take flight over the water. This world is waiting for you, and I can’t wait for you to explore it.

~ L.S.