Visit Florida - Worth the Drive 2008 - (Page 8) 8 WWW.AAA.COM/ VISITFLORIDA >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Paddling Stops Take a trip to Southwest Florida and explore part of the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. Canoe or kayak among pristine coastal landscapes, fascinating wildlife and historic landmarks. Here are some good 688 92 19 stopping points along the way. ALT Cayo Costa State Park Two hundred years ago, this barrier island was home to four Spanish fishing “ranchos” that smoked and traded fish caught in nearby Boca Grande Pass. Now a state park, Cayo Costa’s a good place to beach your kayak and stroll for miles along the secluded shoreline. (941-964-0375, www.floridastateparks.org/cayocosta) 699 693 37 674 17 62 98 27 27 ALT Cabbage Key Some locals say a famished Jimmy Buffett found his “Cheeseburger in Paradise” at the restaurant and inn on this 100-acre island. There are no cars, roads or stores here (you arrive by boat or seaplane), so pack carefully if you plan to spend the night in one of the quaint cottages. The view from the porch atop the 38-foot-high shell mound is especially nice at night. (239-283-2278, www.cabbagekey.com) IK 98 75 72 17 70 27 Cayo Costa 776 41 29 Cabbage Key Pine Island Captiva Island 867 hatchee Caloosa 884 r Rive 80 Fort Myers 41 Sanibel Island Estero Bonita Beach Barefoot Beach Marco Island Estero River Pine Island 75 869 Bonita Springs Naples Goodland 41 This 17-mile-long island has plenty of lagoons and bays to explore by kayak. Stop by The Perfect Cup or Java By the Sea for breakfast, or the Matlacha Oyster House for lunch (pronounced mat-la-SHAY). Then visit the Randell Research Center and its Calusa Indian mounds. (239-283-0888, www.pineislandchamber.org) Gu lf o fM ex ico 1 Sanibel and Captiva Islands Captiva and Sanibel islands have the best shelling in Florida, with more than 200 seashell varieties at last count, so take a break to admire the spread. The Sanibel Lighthouse, built in 1884, is also worth a visit. Take a short walk down Periwinkle Way and refuel at the Lighthouse Café – for breakfast, don’t miss the seafood omelet packed with shrimps and scallops. (239-472-1080, www.sanibel-captiva.org) http://WWW.AAA.COM/VISITFLORIDA http://www.floridastateparks.org/cayocosta http://www.cabbagekey.com http://www.pineislandchamber.org http://www.sanibel-captiva.org
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