Beach

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

The fact that the beach at Harry Harris Beach is man-made makes it no less attractive than other Florida Keys beaches. In fact, the coral rock barrier that surrounds beach protects it from wave action and large fish. With its protected lagoon, wide expanse of white sand, half-moon sweep of stately palms, covered picnic tables, BBQ grills, showers, and bath house, this Tavernier beach approaches perfection. And that is no small compliment in the Keys, where beaches are few in number and marginal in quality.

A rock jetty creates this placid man-made lagoon in Harry Harris County Park

But that’s not all! This pleasant County facility also has playground equipment, basketball courts, a softball field, volleyball net, a bike path, and even an in-line skating park for sports enthusiasts, while boaters will find an excellent boat ramp that provides access to both Key Largo and Islamorada.

Palms, pavilions, and picnic facilities dot the sand beach

To reach Harry Harris County Park turn east on Burton Drive at the 92.5 mile marker on the Overseas Highway and follow it to the end. The park is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset.

On Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays, an entrance fee of $5 per person is charged for non-residents over the age of 16.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut

Nokomis Beach on Casey Key from the top of the boardwalk that crosses the dunes

One of the pleasures of roaming around Florida’s Gulf Coast is discovering smaller, lesser-known beaches scattered throughout the region. Since the recent Florida cold snap had chilled me to the bone I was badly in need of sunshine, so this past Sunday I went in search of another such jewel. On previous excursions I had checked out the beach in the very popular winter haven of Venice, but this time I turned off of US Route 41 onto Albee Road at the tiny community of Nokomis, located just north of Venice. To my surprise, the road led me across a drawbridge and to the center of Casey Key, ending at the entrance to Nokomis Beach.

Upon pulling into the oceanfront parking lot, I was delighted to find that unlike the Tampa area, which has pricey metered parking at most beach accesses, this parking lot was free.

Colorful umbrellas poke from the khaki-colored sand

Mom and daughter swing in the playground at North Jetty Park

From the top of the boardwalk I surveyed the beach. It was wide and clean, backed by residences and the occasional mom and pop motel. Because there are no high-rise condos or hotels on Casey Key it tends to be a less crowded beach. Khaki-colored sand, aquamarine water, and riotous beach umbrellas created a colorful scene as I walked along the shore, stopping occasionally to examine shells tossed on the sand. Stopping to chat with the lifeguards, I learned that Casey Key is also home to a North Jetty Beach, located on the southern tip of the island where the Intracoastal Waterway divides the island from Venice. Never one to leave before thoroughly investigating an area, I hopped in the car for the mile or so drive to the jetty.

Skim boarders try their hand in the gently lapping waves

Immediately upon arriving, I was intrigued. Scattered around the wide grassy expanse separating the parking lot from the beach were picnic tables, barbecue grills, shelters and a large playground. On the other side of the dune, twin fingers of a long rock jetty reached into the Gulf, pointing the way to the Intracoastal entrance. Saliboats and speedboats motored between the rocky arms, alert for manatees bound for warmer inland waters. From atop the jetty fishermen cast lines, hoping to snag one of the giant Mullet that swam by, haughtily ignoring the dangling smorgasbord. On the near side of the jetty a breathtaking turquoise crescent glistened tranquilly in its protected cove. Children waded in the shallow water as parents dug through shells heaped at the base of the rocks. Where the shoreline straightened out, skim boarders tried their hand. Further back, older residents unfolded lawn chairs and plunked down ice chests under the Australian Pines, all set for a day of people and yacht watching.

Fishermen cast from atop the jetty, while families congregate in the sheltered cove, with its calm, shallow water

Woman digs through mounds of shells that have been deposited at the base of the jetty rocks

All in all, this is one of the most pleasant beaches I have ever been to. There was so much to see and do and the beach and facilites were well maintained and idyllic. My only complaint – if forced to come up with one – would be the lack of restaurants in the area. But given the choice of a noisy, crowded beach with lots of restaurants and bars, and a pristine, quieter beach with fewer facilities, I’ll always opt for the latter. And in this case, if I get hungry, there are dozens of restaurants just ten minutes away in Venice. Visitors looking for a true “Old Florida” laid back experience will prefer lodgings in Nokomis, while Venice tends toward more upscale accommodation choices.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

by Barbara Ann Weibel of Hole In The Donut

If your idea of a perfect beach is a wide swath of powdery, brilliant white sand, then Siesta Key in Sarasota, Florida is the answer to your dreams. Experts the world over have long raved about this sand and the beach has the awards to prove it. At the “Great International White Sand Beach Challenge” held in 1987, Siesta Key was recognized as having the “whitest and finest sand in the world” and in 2004, the Travel Channel named Siesta Key “The Best Sand Beach in America.”

The powder-fine white quartz sands of Siesta Key are great for sand castles....

....or for burying friends under the sand

Unlike most other beaches where the sand is made up mostly of coral, Siesta’s sand is 99% quartz. Not only is it excellent for building sand castles or burying a friend under a mound of the sugar-fine stuff, Siesta Key’s sand reflects the sunlight rather than absorbing it, so it feels cool underfoot no matter how high the temperature soars.

Sand isn’t the only thing to rave about on Siesta Key beach. The water is shallow and the beach is manned by lifeguards year-round, making it one of the safest and most popular beaches in the area for families with small children. Lifeguards stands have been painted in bright, primary colors that visitors can use as landmarks, simplifying the task of finding cars at the end of the day or friends and family after strolling a mile or two down the beach.

The few feet of hard-packed sand at water's edge is popular with bikers, joggers, and walkers

Skimboarders take a breather to enjoy the sunset

Any time of the day, Siesta’s public beach is a popular place for a variety of activities. Whenever there are waves, surfers and body boarders flock to the water. Skimboarders, joggers, and bicyclers frequent the narrow strip of hard-pack sand at the water’s edge, while other beach-goers take advantage of the ten tennis courts, four volleyball courts, picnic areas, and shady playground amenities.

At day’s end, Siesta Village’s shops, restaurants, and active night life are just a couple of miles away, but stick around long enough to watch the sun go down, since Siesta Key is famous for its jaw-droppingly gorgeous sunsets.

Siesta Key is a barrier island located in Sarasota County, just off the mainland. It is accessed by bridges on the northern and southern ends of the island. Beach-going and outdoor activities are enjoyable nearly year-round in this part of Florida due to the area’s tropical climate.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Ann Weibel