Highbridge Road is a narrow ribbon of tarmac that runs across the low, wet country behind the Florida coast, and it is one of the pleasures of the Ormond Scenic Loop. The land is flat, the sky is huge, and on either side of the road the marsh stretches away in green and gold, with tidal creeks winding through the cordgrass and ibises and egrets picking at the mud. Where the road lifts onto a bridge, a gentle rise that counts as a hill in this part of Florida, you get a wide view across the water to the trees on the far bank.
The surrounding landscape is the low-lying coast of Volusia and Flagler counties, a mix of salt marsh, tidal rivers and coastal hammock, the shady stands of live oak, palm and magnolia that grow on slightly higher ground. The Halifax River and the Tomoka River thread through it, linking to the Intracoastal Waterway, and the water moves back and forth with the tide, bringing mullet, crabs and dolphins into the creeks. Locals fish from the bridges and launch small boats from the ramps. The air has a mix of salt, mud and warm pine, and in the evening, the light turns orange across the marsh.
The riding is slow and relaxed. The road is narrow, with little shoulder, and in places overhung by trees and Spanish moss, which makes for a pleasant ride but means shade, dampness and fallen debris on the surface. Cyclists, joggers and drivers who stop to look at wildlife are common, so keep the pace gentle. Mornings and late afternoons are best, and they are also when wildlife is most active. In summer, heat, humidity and violent thunderstorms are likely, and in winter cool, clear days make this a great time for riding.
There are no services on the road itself. Ormond-by-the-Sea, about seven kilometres away, has a petrol station and small shops, Flagler Beach to the north has more, and Ormond Beach, a bit further, has everything, so fill the tank before you start. Bring water and sun protection, and insect repellent for any stops.
Pull off at a bridge if there is room, and watch the water for a while. It is the best way to feel the tide moving through the place.