St. Petersburg • Clearwater 2008 - (Page 53) 4. Canoe Weedon Island Weedon Island Preserve, with its miles of mangrove-lined waterways, once played host to one of the oldest cultures in Florida. A succession of Indians lived here for a reason: the bountiful waters of this estuarine area kept them well fed and happy. Ten thousand years later, Weedon Island hasn’t changed much. The brackish water is still a favorite fishing ground for kayak-bound anglers in search of trout, redfish and snook. Birders also flock here by the thousands to add roseate spoonbills, reddish egrets and white ibis to their life lists. Paddlers can choose from two trails in the 3,000-acre preserve. The southern canoe trail is a well-marked, 4-mile loop easily accessible next to the fishing pier. The north trail, which begins in an old work canal off of San Martin Boulevard, is equally scenic but requires a little more planning. Accessible only by private boat or public passenger ferry, Caladesi Island doesn’t attract the crowds of some of its neighbors. On a weekday, it is not unusual to share a large expanse of sugar-sand beach with nothing but seabirds. But it’s the water that makes this place so special. Blessed with the constant flushing action of nearby Hurricane Pass, the water is generally unusually translucent, making the area a great place to swim. It’s best to make a day of it. Catch the ferry at nearby Honeymoon Island State Park and grab lunch at Caladesi's full-service snack bar. Admission fees vary. 6. Visit the Nature Center at Honeymoon Island One of the newest additions to the Pinellas County eco-scene, the Rotary Centennial Nature Center spotlights the flora and fauna of one of the most popular parks in the state system, Honeymoon Island. Florida’s ever-changing barrier islands share a unique relationship with the sea. No place is this more evident than at Honeymoon, which was separated from nearby Caladesi Island by the hurricane of 1921. The constantly evolving shores, and the adjacent sea grass beds, salt marshes and mangrove swamps, provide unique habitat for a variety of little-noticed species. Visit the nature center then head out for a beach hike. You are guaranteed to see sea life in a new light. Admission fees vary. 7. Birdwatch at Boca Ciega Millennium Park This Pinellas County Park has been in the news lately thanks to the discovery of stone-age fossils by a local high school student. But while Millennium Park may be known for its ancient creatures, it’s the living ones that attract visitors from all over the United States. > 5. Swim at Caladesi Island State Park Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a., Dr. Beach, knew what he was talking about when he named this state park one of the best beaches in the nation in both 2006 and 2007. www. F loridas Beach. com 53 http://www.FloridasBeach.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.