Fort De Soto

2 Chicas Fortify the Camp

At the far end of St. Petersburg, FL is Fort De Soto Park, often ranked as one of the best beaches in the United States by Dr. Beach! 2 Chicas don’t know Dr. Beach, but we have been coming to Ft. De Soto for quite some time and agree with his assessment.

Pristine water, beautiful views of the bay and the gulf as well as incredible panorama of the Skyway Bridge make this the place to come decompress. The fact that it isn’t real crowded is an added benefit.

Fort  De Soto is also a prime area to fish, sun, bike, kayak, swim, birdwatch, hike, explore an old fort, and camp.  This chain of five interconnected islands has parks, beach areas, two fishing piers, and a ferry to Egmont Key. 2 Chicas decided to stay close to the action and set up camp for a few days worth of adventures! There are no hotels or other accommodations here, but St. Petersburg Beach and Pass a Grille Beach are quite close nearby if camping is not for you.

Chica 2 has become quite the camp designer and set up expert. She had the tent pitched in just a few minutes and this is no small abode.

She waterproofed it a few days before and also checked the seams to secure our temporary home from traditional late summer storms. It’s so nice to find Chica 2’s true strength. Tee hee he

Sure enough, early in the morning, a storm rolled through and we didn’t have as much as a single drop of water inside our tent.

She placed the tent so we had a perfect water view. It was a million dollar scenic overlook from a hundred dollar domicile!

Then a few critters from the wild came lumbering up the path to our campsite. A group of raccoons who were all too comfortable around humans rolled out the welcome wagon.  It was obvious they were looking for any invitation to join. Chica 2 said they were so cute, until one sat down and started to scratch.

Please don’t feed the wildlife! They become dependent on human handouts, which only invites danger. After a few loud “gits” (get), they quickly scurried off to another campsite, but they weren’t done with 2 Chicas.

Setting up camp made everyone hungry. Chica 1 always cooks a traditional cowboy steak for dinner on the first night. Paired with potatoes and broccoli, these happy campers are satisfied.

2 Chicas Reach the East Beach

Time to explore! Outside of the camp, 2 Chicas took the kids down to explore the East Beach, a much quieter and secluded area. There was one fisherman wading out to try his luck at catching dinner.

2 Chicas captured a tricolored heron looking for dinner as a snowy egret seemed to watch the fisherman in hopes that he would generously share his catch.

Chica 1 looked out at the Skyway Bridge and marveled at the how gorgeous the pointy sails looked in the distance. Like a large sailboat frozen in time. Chica 2 said it looked like pointy Mickey Mouse ears; two very different perspectives wouldn’t you say?

Back to the campsite to tell stories and roast marshmallows over an open fire. No s’mores tonight because Chica 2 forgot the graham crackers.

It wouldn’t take long for us to move to no campfire stories, because Chica 2 is so scary, but the kids purified small palm fronds over the hot firewood then roasted marshmallows.

They felt so special making their own skewers. Tomorrow would be filled with adventures that would fill the day and exhaust the evening!

Chica 2 took the kids to the beach to swim, but Lil’ Chica discovered a new passion, searching for sand dollars. A kind lady on the beach taught her how to wade in chest deep water and shuffle her feet to find these beautiful creatures of the sea. Lil’ Chica spent the better part of two hours blissfully in search of her new best friends.

2 Chicas Cannonball!

A short hike to another portion of the beach brought exploration of part of the fort. Chica 2 threatened to call an ambulance if Chica 1 didn’t stop breathing so desperately after climbing to the top. The hike up really wasn't that bad.

Chica 2 could not imagine early Spanish explorers in full armor marching around this fort. Neither could anyone else Chica 2, as this installation wasn’t constructed until almost 1900. You were only off about five hundred years (Tee hee hee)

The canons were large and stationed all over the fort. Fort De Soto was only active for twelve years from 1898 until 1910.

Chica 2 said she knew a few girls from home who saw more action than this fort! Chica 2, we do have a young audience too! Many of the rooms in the fort are open and mostly empty.

Explore the fort, climb to the top and enjoy the views, and take a picture by the cannons. Don’t forget to yell cannonball!! If anyone complains, tell em 2 Chicas told ya to do it!

2 Chicas and the Case of the Daring Bandits

After hanging out at the fort, we headed back to the campsite. We briefly stopped to see how much it would cost to take the ferry over to Egmont Key. It was reasonable, but the return trip was four hours later. 2 Chicas had too many plans, so maybe next time.

As we came down the driveway to our campsite, we noticed something was awry. A head quickly peeked out of our food cooler, then another head, and yet another!

Chica 2 I thought you put the cooler away. Chica 1 I thought you stored the cooler! Oh no!! Those little bandits got away with fajita wraps, hamburgers, and some butter.

We rounded up as much as we could and placed it in the garbage cans onsite. Those little thieves didn’t go far, waiting in the bushes for us to make another oversight and leave something out. Ughhh, it is a good thing we had bleach spray to clean everything! 2 Chicas made sure the coolers were hereafter stored in the trunk!

2 Chicas Fishing or Floundering?

Soooo, Chica 2 decided she was going to take the kids fishing. Off the team goes to a picturesque canal to cast fishing rods out into the deep and see what we would catch.

Almost immediately, the fish were biting. The group spent hours casting and reeling! At times the fish were small and other times they were even smaller.

The kids learned the importance of preserving resources by returning the little ones to their home to hopefully grow bigger.

Chica 1 caught a sizable flounder, which provided much joy for the entire group. For hours, the entire group enjoyed feeding the fish shrimp and every now and again, getting a fish to bite on the hook.

There is something about the anticipation and hope of fishing that reaches deep into the soul. Often we feel we could never get a child to spend time doing something that may or may not reap an immediate reward. 2 Chicas were thrilled to see so many children out with their parents fishing. Some were catching, some were not, but

2 Chicas caught some serious bug bites. In our excitement to fish, we forgot to spray ourselves with bug deterrent. What a major mistake. Days after leaving Ft. De Soto, the remnants of the fishing excursion lived on in itchy, scratchy skin.

It was finally time to leave our little bit of paradise. Chica 2 broke down camp and before you could say hop skippity wobble, we were back on the road to home.

2 Chicas are so lucky to know that Ft. De Soto will be around for another much needed respite visit. Bring your bike, fishing pole and swimsuit. You’ll be glad you did!

Sanibel Island, FL

It’s funny how 2 Chicas’ travels seem to take them to such a variety of beautiful places. This trip is no different as we were headed to Sanibel Island, a mainland paradise located off the coast of Ft. Myers, FL.  Sanibel is considered a shelling capital. For some reason, because of its location, the waves seem to kick the most beautiful shells on shore.

The island itself is only 12 miles long and is conjoined with Captiva Island, which is less than 5 miles long. Neither island is very wide with Sanibel being about 5 miles across and little Captive being ½ mile wide. More than half of the island is preserved as a wildlife refuge.  

There are no gigantic skyscrapers blocking the view of the beauty. Strict rules limit buildings to be  no taller than the trees.  This makes the island a well kept paradise.

There is a $6 toll to go over the Sanibel Causeway Bridge, which tells you something about this tiny little strip of land. Although both islands are small, there is a lot packed onto this diminutive island.

Shopping, kayaking, cruising, shelling, skiing, canoeing, wading, hiking, swimming, birding, eating, conserving, museuming, enough of the made up names already!

2 Chicas and the Ding Darling Birding We Go

2 Chicas are just crazy birds – uh oh - crazy about birds!  So a visit to the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge was a prerequisite to hanging out on the beach. This guy was a cartoonist, conservationist, and the inventor of the duck stamp – a requirement for any duck hunter.

This stamp puts money back into conserving the lands where ducks thrive and as such, protects a wide variety of wildlife. Pretty cool stuff!

The onsite education center has wonderful exhibits and shares information on the habitat that you will traverse while in the park. There are three different types of mangroves that serve as the underpinning plant of the area. There were so many different birds hanging out in this hostel while in their migrating patterns, you would have to imagine the rooms are free. Tee hee he Some birds travel 20,000 miles just to drop in here.

As we went deeper into the preserve, there were numerous vantage points to get a bird’s eye view of the locals. One of the neat things is that a volunteer who goes through the park reporting bird sightings back to the education center, shows human visitors some of the very special bird visitors.

She also shares interesting information about the birds. She has a portable telescope that she allows everyone to look through to get an up close and personal view. How absolutely precious!

She told the kids about the white pelican that is native to Montana, Minnesota and Wisconsin and these suckers are huge!  Her little telescope made the birds seem as if you could reach out and touch them. Yet they were far away on a sandbar. Great job – you know customer service and it shows! Hey Chica 2, let the kids get a look why don’t you?

We got to see a 2 Chicas favorite, the Roseate Spoonbills – there was an entire flock of pink just perched out on a sandbar chilling! There are other exciting finds like a crab trying to crawl up a tree trunk giant fish swimming everywhere in the water, prehistoric seashells that were just lying in the paths.

At an observation tower on the site, the 2 Chicas headed to the top of this three story tower to gaze out over another beautiful cove where flocks of birds posed for us. An osprey flew overhead, dipping into the water and coming up with a fish in his talons.

Chica 2 threatened to jump off the top story of the tower and see what she would come back up with.  We both agreed some seriously broken bones. Tee hee he

Although there was a shell mound, it didn’t really provide any ah ha moments like the other vista points, and the displayed materials did share very educational information about the Calusa Indians.

But remember, when visiting protected areas, only leave your footprints and don’t take anything out of the reserve with you but your trash! Enough of the birds – 2 Chicas are off to the beach!

2 Chicas Feeling Beachy and then Woozy

The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are splendiferous! Pearly white sand covered with a variety of seashells made the beach feel like a far away paradise. 2 Chicas decided to try the beach at the end of Captiva Island.

Driving past the fabulous homes facing the Gulf of Mexico provided Chica 2 with the perfect excuse to play the lottery. We all know that’s about the only way we’re going to get one of these roomy homes!

Man, God ordered up one perfect day for a little fun in the sun. Parking at the beach is $2 per hour, so remember to pay before you play. When you round the corner after leaving the parking lot, you can’t help but think how lucky you are having all these wonderful pleasures right here in America!

Chica 2 pitched the sunbrella and we perched in our chairs admiring the crystal clear water glistening as the sun danced across the surface. We looked through the piles of seashells that washed ashore and marveled at the number of live shells still on the beach. BEWARE – collecting live shells is illegal. What is a live shell you ask – a shell that is still inhabited. There is a live creature still inside – simple enough.

So much for biology, Chica 1 dipped her toe in the water and was surprised that it felt like a cool spring.  Chica 2 said it was cold as ___ , which really isn’t cold at all is it? The pelicans put on quite a show diving in the water grabbing fish. Each pelican seemed to have its own fan club of small seagulls flying around looking for leftovers.

Walking on the beach is a true experience. Chica 2 got a stiff neck from strolling along the beach with her head down looking for seashells. She sailed sea shells. Say it over and over if you can! Chica 1 almost passed out from heat exposure, and this was early February!

As children splashed in the shallows and enjoyed moments of spontaneous water play, Chica 1 saw the beach slowly begin to spin. Chica 2 hustled Chica 1 off to the car for a quick cool down and a long tall drink of water. Remember to always hydrate when outdoors! There’s just so much of a tropical delight that anyone can take. So 2 Chicas packed up and went off in search of a good meal.

 

2 Chicas Eat the Cow

Chica 2 was determined to eat at the Island Cow – a restaurant that spent a good deal of time marketing their food to families. The colorful (almost coloring book) ad certainly mesmerized the not so latent child inside of Chica 2. So off we go to have a taste of the moo cow. 

First of all, the décor is a very casual, relaxed kind of island feel. There are a variety of knick knacks hanging on the wall and there is indoor and outdoor seating available. The dress code is flip flops and shorts! There was about a 20 minute wait to be seated, but you can wait out back on the patio.

Second of all, this place has quite a menu! While you are waiting you may want to begin to check out the offerings. Fortunately, breakfast ends at 11 a.m. most days so you won’t have to add that list of food items to your decision making matrix. Tee hee he

Chica 1 chose the BBQ Turkey Reuben which was interesting, but not that great. The turkey breast didn’t taste like it was grilled and the tropical slaw was just average. The food was served at a moderate temperature. It came with fries and hushpuppies which were pretty good. Chica 1 washed it down with a Mango Margarita, which was yummy!

Chica 2 had the Adobe Chicken with black beans and rice and veggies. She said the chicken was very tasty, but the sides were extremely salty.Not a good mix with heat as dehydration is sure to follow. The kids menu is very good and filling. 

One kid had the cheeseburger and the other child had the chicken fingers and a fruit smoothie. Needless to say, both children were happy. 2 Chicas would rate the Island Cow as average, average fare.

2 Chicas Captivated on Captiva

The T’ween Waters Inn on Captiva Island is a well known property on the island. These cottages and the adjoining buildings have been on the site, some as early as 1914. The Old Captiva House was a former one room schoolhouse that is now a restaurant. What is unique about this current restaurant is that it was transformed from a school to a dining hall in 1925. There are great paintings throughout. The food is good, but a little pricy like most restaurants on the island.

The Mucky Duck Restaurant has been around since the mid 70’s. The owners gave this establishment a good old fashioned English pub name. The food is fantastic and the views from the outdoor patio are stupendous! This is a great place to enjoy a sunset!

Experiencing the Bubble Room is akin to having a meal in a fun house. It is a unique Captiva experience and should not be missed, especially if you have kids in tow. The place is outrageous, the food is fantastic, and the staff will make sure to give you a personalized experience. If you have problems with being over stimulated, this is not the place for you. There are so many things going on in here, you have to check it out for yourself. Reservations may be necessary during busier hours and seasons.

2 Chicas Get to Know you Better at the Sanibel Community Fair and Retail Expo

Now these Sanibel guys have the right idea about how to keep people coming back. This little expo is a great way to get to know the businesses and services offered on the island. The event is sponsored by the Sanibel/Captiva Chamber of Commerce and engages local business to share their wares. The support of the business community was amazing. Almost every business offered a raffle basket of goodies!

There was a gigantic slide and bouncy house as well as other outdoor activities and face painting for the kids.  The Sanibel Firemen were very helpful and informational.

They take time to walk each interested party around their truck and share information on the different equipment found on the vehicle. The kids faces really light up when they see the jaws of life.  Just thinking about how fit the fire fighters must be made Chica 2 thirsty. Go figure?

That leads the 2 Chicas to Bailey’s, who generously provided beverages and hotdogs. A local cake company provided scrumptious morsels of chocolate cake and orange dream cake. Every vendor provided a trinket, candy, or something worth taking with you. 

One of my favorite old Florida hotels, the Tween Waters Resort was a big sponsor of the event. It was fantastic getting to meet many of the local business men and women. They were very friendly and just based on the interactions alone, made you want to be a part of this warm community.

2 Chicas Blinded By the Light

2 Chicas headed over to the Sanibel Lighthouse to check out one of Chica 2’s favorite things, lighthouses.  Chica 2 loves lighthouses and on every trip, she has to go look into the light. Poltergeist you may ask? You never know with Chica 2.

The Sanibel Lighthouse was built for $50,000 in 1883. It was used to light the way for ships moving goods to Cuba, of course when that international relationship was better. This lighthouse is made of iron, which seems to be a peculiar choice of materials, but what do we know about constructing a lighthouse. The lighthouse now is the property of the City of Sanibel. This neat metal pyramid stands for all to see at the tip of the island known as “old Sanibel” island.

As 2 Chicas said goodbye to Sanibel Island, Chica 2 exclaimed a simple “Look!” Just as we pulled onto the causeway, a school of dolphins appeared. They seemed to be safely escorting us out and on our way.   What a perfect ending to a lovely island escape!

While in the area, be sure to visit the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter estates in Fort Myers, FL. The grounds are beautiful and the properties provide a great opportunity to see how the wealthy wintered! There is also the added bonus of being able to view one of Edison’s laboratories.

Myakka River State Park, FL

2 Chicas and Myakka How High Are Ya?

2 Chicas heard a lot about Myakka River. We were told: “it is so beautiful.” “It is so much fun.” “You mean you’ve never been?” So after much chiding, 2 Chicas had to check it out for ourselves. Chica 2 decided a day trip just would not do the park justice; she wanted the added adventure of roughing it for two days. So camping it is for the 2 Chicas.

Myakka River is one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks.  It is a wildlife wonderland with photo opportunities at every turn of the road.

It is a 58 square mile Florida phenomenon. At different vantage points, Chica 2 squealed she felt like she was on the Serengeti Plain! 

At some point she became really worried that she would have a hard time getting back into the country without her passport.  Huh? Chica 1 dreamed of traveling down the river in a kayak, but after seeing the size of the alligators, she woke up! 

As we pulled into the campgrounds, the 2 Chicas quickly unpacked their gear and began to set up camp. Chica 1 plopped in a recliner (yes a camping recliner) and eventually realized she had to set up her gourmet kitchen.  

Chica 2, assumed her role as the tent master. Before you knew it, dinner was cooking, and Chica 2 was proudly circling her beautifully assembled Vacation Cottage like a predator looking for a weak link!  Chica 2 is a superior tent director, so none were found.

Chica 1 had a treat for the kids.  She told them that they were going to make magic. She gave them a little packet one at a time and told them to take turns tossing the packets into the fire. 

The little envelops turned the campfire flames into different colors. The kids really enjoyed screaming out “ooh that one is red; look at the blue; I see green; that is magenta!” Magenta?  Only Chica 2’s proper children!

Chica 2 brought fudge graham crackers for the kids to make Smores. As we concluded our dessert, there was the most peculiar feeling that something was watching us. The noises coming out of the forest reminded us that we were not in the city. 

Turkey vultures were landing their gigantic bodies on the palm trees, making a crashing kind of Jurrasic Park sound. 

No more songs around the campfire. It was a prehistoric ending to an otherwise modern camp evening!! That is until the no see ums started biting. 

So the 2 Chicas with kids in tow ran into the perfect tent for a restful evening. With the kids snuggled into their sleeping bags and watching bootleg movies (Chica 2 - who else? Just joking about the bootlegs. This is a figurative urban colloquialism). It was a fairy tale ending to a perfect day. Tee hee he

Chica 1 always has to have that late night bathroom break.Lawd! Chica 2 always worries that a blind possum will try to follow Chica 1 back to the tent thinking he has stumbled upon his perfect mate. Even with their keen sense of smell? Not sure what to think Chica 2. Tee hee he

Day two the 2 Chicas went to tour the Upper Myakka Lake with the park ranger. The vehicle of choice is one of the world's largest airboats, and the ride comes naturally with a fee. 

The trip down the river is very relaxing and informative. The guide points out different species of birds and tries to get the group as many up close alligator encounters as possible. 

We even had an alligator do a quick drive by on the boat. The curious reptile wove his way into the path of the airboat and after a swift yet somehow random bump, he quickly lost interest and drifted away.

Chica 2 mercifully took the children out for a nature hike and discovered the canopy walkway.  This area has a large watchtower and a neat suspension bridge. If you go to the top of the watchtower, you will have a panoramic view of the entire park. Chica 1 was using her alone time wisely by taking a power nap and enjoying the peace and quiet of the campground village.

That serenity was about to quickly change. Chica 2 and the kids were back with tall tales about their adventures on a nature trail. Our friendly neighbor to the east checked out and took his camper on a faraway adventure. 

About ten professionals and their children began moving in. The cars just kept coming and the pop up tents kept going up! Isn’t there a limit to the number of individuals on one camp lot?

As quickly as you could say – “you’re not in Kansas anymore!” Our peaceful journey turned into an Appalachians holler nightmare. Although it all started innocently enough….

Initially, the neighbors took all the kids on a scavenger hunt in the woods. The kids played together happily finding feathers and other forest delights. Dinner time came and peacefully went with no drama. As the sun began to set and find its replacement, the moon, assuming its position in the sky, the freak in the teachers came rolling out.

The children were quickly squirreled away into the tents to go to sleep while the adults sat around the campfire drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. Chica 1, returning from her normal nightly bathroom run, was even offered the opportunity to puff puff pass. What?  Uhhh, no thank you….

To make matters worse, after staying up until 2 in the morning sharing the most intimate stories, they left all their food out. That is, what food was left over after the many munchies breaks! Later, Chica 1 was awakened by the sound of an animal or two bumping against the tent as well as snorting noises. Now a few times our drunkard neighbors tripped over the tent stakes returning from the bathroom.

But something was different.  Chica 1 looked suspiciously over at Chica 2, blissfully asleep on her air mattress tucked tightly in her sleeping bag. Chica 1 then accusingly looked at the children down at the other end of the tent, but these grunting noises were outside.

The following morning, the 2 Chicas exited the tent to find the entire campsite had been trashed by wild boars rooting through the food left out by our inebriated neighbors! The feral hogs dragged the items around as if they had engaged in a mad food orgy! 

The 2 Chicas looked around in total disbelief.  Then we looked around for Courtney Love’s Tour Bus. Tee hee he What a way to ruin an otherwise wonderful camping experience.

Our sheepish neighbors coyly asked if they had misbehaved the previous evening. Chica 1 shared that she now knew far too much about each of them to have not been properly introduced.  While they profusely apologized, it is important to note they are entrusted with our most precious treasures on a daily basis. Lawd!!

It was time to bid farewell to our beautiful Myakka River. 2 Chicas also noticed that there are as many bike enthusiasts as there are hikers. Don’t forget to do some serious bird-watching. 

There is a neat little dam area with a mini pier for fishing and a nice boardwalk area for birdwatching. We saw two alligators having a picnic with a flock of turkey vultures and roseate spoonbills.  Only in Myakka!

Don’t let our camping experience deter you, but just in case, there are also cabins available. 2 Chicas has visited the park more than once to experience the versatile fun!

Lake Seminole - Seminole, FL

2 Chicas Like Lake Seminole

2 Chicas can’t help but love the water because there is sooo much of it here in Florida. 

So Lake Seminole in Pinellas County provides another opportunity to mingle with the wildlife and chill in the perfectly sunny outdoors.

Lake Seminole is easily accessed from the county park with the same name. 

Chica 1 is busy looking for the perfect spot to set up camp for the day.  

Chica 2 is striking a pose very similar to the anhinga perched on a post in the water.  

There are about 13 shelters to choose from so get there early if you need to be under cover. There’s picnicking, jet skiing, boating, and kayaking. 

There is a pier for lots of freshwater fishing. For the land lovers, there is plenty of space to rollerblade, jog, or skate.

The park is a wildlife sanctuary and has picture perfect opportunities get that “money” shot.  Chica 2 thought this referred to a specialty beverage akin to jello shots (but probably found in a strip club).  Uhhmm

So whatever you’re into, you can find a respite on the lake. If you want more sand and sun, you’re not far from the beach! 2 Chicas say - Let's get to exploring….

Cedar Key

This rustic village sits at the tip of Levy County.  It is a step back to Florida as it used to be; a quiet town with a lot of old simple houses.  Of course there are new Mcmansions, but don’t let that distract you.

One thing really sticks out – you won’t find any Holiday Inns here.  There are no chain hotels. There are a lot of old Florida cottage like motels and a few upscale condos.  Nice and simple; just the way the 2 Chicas like it - sometimes.

The main strip is nicely preserved with old buildings and there is a dock area with lots of restaurants as well as an overlook area.

Check out the lighthouse and be sure to walk, bike, or golf cart your way through the handful of blocks.

Grab a fishing pole and spend some time fishing and when you get tired of that, do some bird watching at the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge. 

Cedar Key has a large protected sanctuary that is home to all kinds of birds.  Some are rare, but there is no scarcity of birdwatching.

While out and about, check out the lighthouse.  It is customary to see huge osprey flying overhead, and Chica 1 spotted a barn owl sitting on top of a pier.

By now you’ve got to be hungry, so make sure to eat at one of the local restaurants. 

They all specialize in serving different gulf seafood dishes.  Clams are really a big deal here; they're a local speciality, so try some!

Don’t overlook the biggest draw in town – beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  Be sure to have your favorite drink in hand – preferably non-alcoholic and enjoy the free show!

The 2 Chicas checked out the Blue Desert Café. It was a really eclectic spot, decorated with a variety of items. There was money posted up on the walls, as were maps, rock and roll memorabilia, license plates, and different old replica metal posters. The food was simple and tasty.  Try the clam linguini.

Get out and explore the island.  There's a state park area that has artifacts from early settlers in the area. 

There are some interesting pieces like a cannon, an old home, a fishing boat, and a large salt kettle. 

There are informational markers sharing key facts about each item.

You never know what is around the bend so don't take this little island for granted.  Cedar Key is a real hippee, yippee place and don't you forget it!

Shell Mound Archeological Site

The drive out to the shell mound is quite solitary.  After exploring the boardwalk area, and waving to a solitary pelican, the 2 Chicas set out to find the mound.

So off we went, admiring the marshy plains and the expansive beauty of the gulf.

It is really something to stand right at the edge of the water and realize how small you are in relation to all you see.

It is also some kind of awesome to make a footprint in the sand and watch the water repetitively wash it away.  We are all a part of something so much larger.  

Anyhoo, if you are anything like Chica 1, you will look everywhere for the mound.  Eventually, if you stop for a minute, you will realize you are standing on it! 

The shells from this large mound at one point were being used for street surfacing, until other antiquities were discovered.

The mound was made from the shells discarded by the ancient folks after eating their meals. 

You’re walking on 6,000 years worth of dinner.  Umm....

There’s a fishing pier, boat ramp and hiking trail. It's a really neat area so if you get a chance, check it out.  You won't believe the beauty and serenity.

Please leave us your comments!

Honeymoon Island

2 Chicas and the Osprey Honeymoon

January in Florida is pretty special. While most of the country is shivering in cold artic temperatures, we are basking in 60-70 degree beauty!  So 2 Chicas are off and running with the kids to Honeymoon Island. Before we can get a few miles down the road, Chica 2 is screaming she's hungry.  Lawd! Honeymoon Island is named for the cottages that were on the property back in the 30s and were used almost exclusively by honeymooners. The quaint little thatched spaces were right on the beach and provided room for only two– how romantic! The first stop on the island is the Nature Center, especially if you want to know what to expect on the island. It has a variety of displays, the history of the island, why it is called Honeymoon Island, shells, artifacts, snake skins, raccoons, gopher turtle burrows, etc. After leaving the center, we decided to take a hike to get to know the residents. As we skipped down the Osprey trail, we realized the real stars of the island are the birds! Everywhere you look there are osprey nests and ospreys flying high in the sky. They are also sitting in the trees looking down on the forest floor letting all know you are there. Chica 1 kept saying look over there; look up here; what bird is that?  Woodpeckers, Forsters Tern, Ground Doves and God’s precious sparrows are cohabitating with the osprey. The kids really enjoyed looking at the animal tracks and trying to guess what kind of animal made the marking. Chica 1 was in love with the ospreys.  Chica 2 was worried that Chica 1 would try to scale a tree and climb into one of the huge nests. She imagined Chica 1 slapping the female osprey in some comical soap opera scene. Move over honey, there's a new queen moving in and Chica 1  is her name! A large osprey flew right over us and perched in a tree with his half eaten lunch. Chica 1 felt he was bringing her a token of his affection.  Snap out of it Chica 1, it's just a bird. The osprey too seemed to realize this fleeting moment was over and flew away with his trusty fish clasped beneath him. The 2 Chicas hoped to see a horned owl, but no luck  Maybe next time... The water was too choppy to really hang out on the beach today, but don’t miss out on the beach fun on less windy days.   This is a beautiful piece of real estate.  Get out the house and enjoy the beauty of the world around you!  Maybe you will see 2 Chicas peering down from a nest somewhere in your neck of the woods!

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

2 Chicas and the Broke down Birds

It is the weirdest thing when birds pose for pictures on the beach. 2 Chicas discovered the bird thingy has a lot to do with the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary being really close nearby. This conservation program houses the largest bird rescue hospital in the United States! 

It is amazing how many birds are hurt each year; the majority of the injuries are caused by humans. And as you know, they don’t have a health care plan either.  Chica 1 is particularly sensitive to sick things as she has suffered from a few painful ailments in her lifetime.  Some of which were caused by Chica 2!

Chica 1 keeps looking into each cage with a heavy heart. Walking through the sanctuary is somewhat strange.  There are strong vibrant birds in the trees overhead nesting.

But being in a cage isn’t where birds should be.  To see a healthy pelican soar and plunge down fast to the water to capture dinner is amazing.  To see a tern running down to the shoreline and take off in flight is a brief glimpse into heaven!

More able-bodied birds fly and land on the netting trying to get in on what they perceive to be a good thing!  Free food, water, and camaraderie! 

Chica 2 was busy searching each cage looking for a peg legged pelican, but to no avail. She must be watching far too many cartoons!

There is no admission charge.  Take a tour with staff and give a generous donation. Help staff reverse the damage caused by humans.

Chica 2 was going to give a single dollar and even her hard little heart was moved to give more.

Teach the kids what they can do to help.  Remember to make a difference wherever you are and however you can.

Visit the sanctuary and tell them 2 Chicas said now get to stepping early so that you can go get that worm early bird!  2 Chicas certainly try!