Taking a break from prepping our home for the arrival of the moving pods, we went exploring a couple of days ago. The barrier island of Manasota Key is located almost directly west of our condominium, about a 40-minute drive through Port Charlotte and across the Myakka River, via El Jobean Road and then South McCall Road.
Separated from the mainland by Lemon Bay, a drawbridge carries traffic across the Intracoastal Waterway, busy with boaters, to the beach and the Gulf of America beyond. The sand is sugar-white, the water aqua-blue, and people were enjoying the venue with beach chairs and umbrellas as far as the eye could see. Over the water, a boat pulled people high above it on a parachute-like device.
Just across from the beach parking lot, we elected to splurge on lunch out at the "Sandbar Tiki & Grille" under a Tiki roof with a floor of beach sand. The open-air restaurant had a view of the beach-goers, and combined with music, shade, and a breeze, created a very comfortable, tropical lunch experience.
Just south of the beach on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway, we also discovered "Don Pedro Island State Park," where kayaks can be rented to paddle along the Intracoastal Waterway. It may be that guides are also available, but we have to inquire about that. A relatively short walk from the parking lot through mangroves leads to a boat ramp and a small beach-like area to launch kayaks into the water. A large group returned while we were there, and everyone seemed well pleased with their experience.
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