| Living in Florida has its advantages. There are some | | | | course a tiki bar (the sunset from the perspective of |
| wonderful places to visit. | | | | the tiki bar is spectacular). |
| Disney World in Orlando, of course, but there is also | | | | The northern area is home to Manasota beach. A |
| the Keys, Daytona Beach, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and | | | | few barbeque pits, covered picnic tables with lots of |
| St. Augustine, to name just a few. All of Florida's | | | | parking. Right over the inter-coastal bridge this is the |
| most famous, usual hot spots, but there is so much | | | | first beach you will come to upon leaving Venice. |
| more to explore. | | | | The middle beach is called..... Middle beach, by the |
| For this author, preferable it is to get off the beaten | | | | locals. There are basic facilities, and a long beach but |
| track. Some well kept secrets and some not so well | | | | it is a hideaway, couple mile drive on a narrow road |
| kept. I speak of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico coast | | | | from either direction. Opposite Middle beach is |
| of South Florida. The Gulf coast has the beaches to | | | | inter-coastal access in quite a large wildlife refuge. |
| visit. The effervescent blue waters set off by white | | | | The dirt trail roads provide a few outlets to the |
| sand beaches that do not burn bare feet, wonderful | | | | inter-coastal waterway, perfect for fishing. If your |
| between the toes. White sand beaches and gentle | | | | not to squeamish, go for a walk in the flats (that's IN |
| waves, this is paradise. | | | | the water). Awesome adventures, if you can be still |
| Siesta Key has one of the worlds most well known | | | | for a minute you can watch the various fish swim by |
| white sand beaches. This relatively small key is home | | | | your feet through crystal clear water. I used to |
| to two public access beaches; the main beach is, | | | | enjoy walking the flats and fishing with a couple |
| quite appropriately, Siesta Beach. Plenty of parking, | | | | friends. Wise it is to be with friends on those walks, |
| volleyball nets, tennis courts, and Picnic tables with | | | | for sure. |
| barbeque pits. The Key is home of a quaint | | | | Then south to Englewood Beach, I began describing |
| "downtown" area catering to a "parrot heads'" | | | | it at the start. The beach is huge and the sunset is |
| (Jimmy Buffet fans) mentality, native to a key | | | | always spectacular. On the weekends you can |
| environment. Within walking distance from the main | | | | always hear live music over the water at night from |
| beach with good food, enjoyable music, and sunsets | | | | the tiki bar across Stump Pass, well, in between sets |
| you only see in pictures, this is Siesta Key. | | | | of the live music at the tiki bar where one might find |
| South of that is the best kept secret in Florida, in my | | | | his or her self. |
| opinion. South of Venice, Florida is the beginning of a | | | | This part of Florida is a personal favorite. |
| long thin strip of land called Manasota Key. You will | | | | Other areas of exploration have their unique |
| find three beaches, the southern most with a small | | | | getaways and intricacies. I will have more to share in |
| tourist area. Gift shops, vacation home rentals, a | | | | other writings. A local's viewpoint is a vacationer's |
| hotel, couple nice restaurants with Gulf views, and of | | | | advantage. |