Beach

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

At Anne’s Beach in Islamorada in the Florida Keys, it is possible to grab a patch of soft sand on the postage stamp beaches that jut from beneath the mangroves and loll the day away. However, its real beauty can only be experienced upon entering the water. Tidal flats stretch for nearly half a mile beyond the tiny scalloped beaches, covered by just inches of water. The major activity here is not sunbathing, sunning, or boating; people come here to wade.

One visitor exercises by striding through the shallow tidal flats for miles

I stepped into this giant bathtub (because of the shallow depth, the water temperature is always extremely warm) and sank into sand so soft it felt like mud or silt squishing through my toes. Some visitors turned their dogs loose to romp in the water. Others beach-goers strode purposely through the shallows, aiming for a workout. I wandered aimlessly, head down, peering beneath the water to discover its mysteries.

A quarter mile from shore, the water is not even calf high

At first glance, this shallow bay seemed devoid of underwater activity. But looking more closely I realized that life was everywhere. Transparent minnows darted back and forth between the sparkling ripples in the turquoise water. Where sea grass covered the bottom, soft shell crabs scampered sideways, then suddenly stopped and disappeared, perfectly camouflaged by the surrounding sand. Hermit crabs tentatively ventured out of their borrowed homes and clawed their way across the bottom. When I touched their shell or disturbed the water they instantly ducked back inside and sank to the bottom, becoming just another discarded snail shell.

Look closely - the bottom is covered with critters like this hermit crab

In addition to two small parking areas (one with restrooms) connected by a boardwalk, several little covered decks have been built beneath the trees lining the boardwalk; these are perfect for picnics and most have steps leading down to the beach. Anne’s Beach is not for everyday sunning and swimming, but it is an intriguing beach that every visitor to the Keys should experience at least once.

Located at mile marker 73, just off the Overseas Highway on Lower Matecumbe Key in the town of Islamorada, Anne’s Beach is open each day from sunrise to sunset.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

Kayaks rest on the beach, waiting to be rented

In the early 1900’s, Long Key Fishing Camp drew the rich and famous – including renowned author Zane Grey – who came for the area’s world-class bonefishing. When the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 hit, winds of 200+ miles per hours devastated the Middle Keys, bringing this glamorous era to an end.

Today Long Key State Park, site of the once-luxurious fishing resort, provides an opportunity for visitors to experience the “Real Florida” – to sunbathe on uncrowded beaches, canoe through a chain of lagoons, or hike trails in a pristine, uncrowded environment.

Three trails are located within the park. The Golden Orb Trail, named after a giant native spider that weaves an enormous, intricate web that appears to be “stitched”up the center, is a leisurely one-hour walk. The Layton Trail, located on the Gulf side of the park, takes about 20 minutes to walk. The final trail is the Long Key Lakes Canoe Trail, which covers a shallow, saltwater lagoon. Canoe and kayak rentals are available for this self-guided, one-hour paddle.

The park is also a year-round birdwatchers paradise. During the winter and spring, migratory birds are plentiful. Roseate spoonbills, snowy egrets, reddish egrets, raptors are among the species regularly spotted in the area. Long Key is listed in the Great Florida Birding Trail for the white-crowned pigeon.

Waters recede at low tide, exposing broad swaths of sand flat ocean bottom

Although the old fishing camp has long since disappeared, Long Key is as popular as ever with saltwater anglers. The park is a favorite site for bonefish, permit, and tarpon fishing.

The highlight of Long Key State Park is its 60 full-service campsites on the main beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to water and electric hookups, a dump station is available and three restrooms provide hot showers for campers. Campers who seek a more remote experience will love the primitive camping sites that front Atlantic tidal flats along the Golden Orb Trail. Each of these raised wooden platforms provide a roof and a picnic table, but are otherwise open to nature.

Primitive camp sites enjoy oceanfront views from relatively remote locations along the Golden Orb Trail

Long Key State Park officially opened in 1969. It encompasses nearly 1,000 acres and is located at mile marker 67.5 on Long Key, midway between Islamorada and Marathon in the Florida Keys.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel