Ft. Desoto and Manatees March 10/10

Finally! Some warm weather and no toques needed. Here is a picture from a month ago when we were in Tampa one day playing “The Claw.” This week we planned a day with Seamus and Caroline, friends from home, to go to Ft. Desoto. Keanes have rented a place at Schalamar, a mobile home park and golf community about 10 minutes from here for February and March. It is so nice to have them around to play with! After a very cold couple of months it is amazing to have warm enough weather to to wear shorts and even sit on the beach. Ft. Desoto is a Pinellas County Park that is at the Southern most point south of St. Petersburg beach. It has been named one of the top beaches in America. As well as beautiful beaches there are 2 fishing piers, kayaking and canoe trails through mangroves, picnic areas, bike trails, an old fort of course, and a gorgeous campground. We have only made day trips but would like to stay there some time. It is hard to get in however. Ft. Desoto is just over an hour drive from here as long as you don’t go during rush hour since the causeways can be very busy.

On the way to Ft. Desoto we stopped at the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Centre at Apollo Beach. The warm water outflow attracts manatees since they cannot survive long in water below 68 F. There are several places around Florida to view manatees while they hang out in the warm waters of rivers and channels warmed by outflows or springs. This was a spectacular viewing since there were so many and the platforms allow you to get quite close to them. There is an information centre and museum so you can learn all there is to know about these gentle giants.



http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_Desoto.htm
http://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/