Florida's Nature Coast
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Florida's Nature Coast - Chelle Koster Walton
Florida's Nature Coast
Homosassa, Withlacoochie State Forest & Weekie Wachie
4 th Edition
Chelle Koster Walton
HUNTER PUBLISHING, INC.
www.hunterpublishing.com
IN CANADA:
Ulysses Travel Publications
4176 Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 2M5
tel. 514-843-9882 ext. 2232 / fax 514-843-9448
IN THE UK & EUROPE:
Roundhouse Group
Millstone, Limers Lane, Northam
Devon EX39 2RG, England
tel. 01237-474474 / fax 01237-474774
© Chelle Koster Walton
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, liability for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.
About the Author
Chelle Koster Walton began her greatest life adventure when she moved to Sanibel Island sight unseen in 1981. She’s never looked back, except to wonder why she didn’t move sooner. From her favorite island, the author travels around Florida and the Caribbean researching guidebooks, of which she has published eight, and writing articles for Family Fun, National Geographic Traveler, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Endless Vacation, The Miami Herald, and other print and electronic media. Walton is co-founder of www.guide bookwriters.com and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.
How To Use This Book
This book divides the West Coast into seven sections. It begins in the north with Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties, a region dubbed the Nature Coast. It then continues southward with St. Petersburg & Clearwater. The chapter encompasses Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and the adjacent barrier island chain.
Tampa, as metropolitan core of the West Coast, has its own chapter; then we move south to Bradenton & Sarasota, with their islands and outlying towns.
The little-known Charlotte Harbor area has one chapter. Then we cover Lee County, promoted as The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.
Collier County, one of Florida’s largest, includes its main town and governmental seat, Naples, as well as Marco Island, Ten Thousand Islands, Everglades City, the western half of the Florida Everglades, and its surrounding parks and preserves.
Each chapter begins with a brief overall history and information that will make finding your way around easier. Then it is divided by cities or areas within the sub-region, their adventure opportunities, sights, restaurants, hotels, and other attractions. Sprinkled amid the hard facts, you’ll find budget tips, author recommendations, family-friendly choices, quirky Florida terms, and weekend adventure itineraries. Throughout, places that come highly recommended by the author are indicated by a star:
Introduction
The History of Adventure
The First Visitors
The 1800s
The 1900s to the Present
The People & Culture
The First Settlers
The Population Boom
Natural Makeup
Marine Life
Mangrove Estuaries
Flora & Fauna
Guidelines for Wildlife Preservation
Everglades National Park
Wildlife & Forest Preserves
Marine Preserves
State Parks & Historic Sites
Practical Information
Transportation
By Air
By Car
On The Water
Weather/What to Pack
Sights & Attractions
Adventures
On Water
Boating
Other Watersports
On Foot
On Wheels
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Cuisine
Nightlife
The Nature Coast
Transportation
Information
Festivals & Events
Crystal River
Getting Here
Information
Sights & Attractions
Adventures
Shopping
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Inverness
Getting Here
Information
Sights & Attractions
Adventures
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Homosassa Area
Getting Here
Information
Sights & Attractions
Adventures
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Withlacoochee State Forest
Getting Here
Sights & Attractions
Adventures
Where to Stay
Brooksville
Getting Here
Information
Sights & Attractions
Adventures
Shopping
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Weeki Wachee
Getting Here
Sights & Attractions
Adventures
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Appendix
Recommended Reading
Environment
Watersports
Land Sports
Where to Stay & Eat
History
Fiction/Literature
Introduction
For the purposes of this guide, the West Coast of Florida describes a slice of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico beginning in the quiet rural setting of Citrus County, north of the Tampa Bay area, and ending in the south at Naples and the utter wilderness of the Everglades. It encompasses the coastal portions of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. This region is cohesive in its types of vegetation and climate, yet it is infinitely diverse in culture and disposition.
The History of Adventure
If you’re looking for adventure, you’re in the right place. West Coast Florida, as one of the nation’s final frontiers, claims a history and heritage of rugged outdoorsmanship.
While the rest of the nation was busily traveling along paved roads and buying their supplies from general stores, in the farthest corners of Florida’s Gulf Coast – down Naples way and in the Florida Everglades – folks were still trading with the natives for victuals and dredging enough land out of the swamps to build the Tamiami Trail. The West Coast of Florida was considered a wild, exotic place then, a place for safaris and catching giant