E.G. Simmons is a county park located on the south end of Tampa Bay offering first come first serve campsites and beach and bay access. We lucked out getting the last available site. They do have a few rules however.While not expressly written, evidently weapon filled pinatas are on the list too. Kyra unimpressed with the list of “No’s”.

Even though we were only here for a couple of nights we settled in scoring the last available site.The high water marker is a constant reminder of the potential dangers here.

So are the fearless raccoons. Whatever you do, don’t turn around.As well as the carnivorous Osprey.The do however allow beautiful sunsets.

A short drive away lies the TECO power plant which is famous for it’s massive migration of Manatees and Spinner sharks to their warm water disbursement channel.The Manatees and Sharks are a popular attraction even mid week late in the day .

The stars of the inlet. Manatees migrate here in large numbers.

So do Spinner sharks. There are a couple different theories why the sharks breach. One is that they are trying to stun fish surrounding them so they are easier to catch and the other is to shake off the feeder fish attached to their bodies. Regardless of the reason it is an amazing sight to see. I got lucky and captured two sharks breaching in the photo above.

The following morning we circumnavigated Tampa Bay to visit the parents and sister of my childhood best buddy.

I had spent so much time with them growing up in Southern California they were like my second family. They had recently moved to Clear Water within a mile of their daughter. I was so grateful to see them in their new home and spend time together. I made sure they know how much they mean to me and left a bit teary eyed knowing I may never have the opportunity to see them again face to face.

 

Backtracking south to Sarasota and Nokomis we headed out to spend the weekend with a family we met while in the Keys. They full time it in their Airstream trailer and live in a sweet campground named, The Royal Coachman located on an inlet about a mile from the gulf. We had spent some magical times together over the holidays, ringing in the New Year and were excited to connect again.

When we arrived we were told our campsite was located on the Inner Circle.  Wow, just arrived and already part of the Inner Circle. Aren’t we special.

The best site in the park happened to be our friends. The site of good times.

With great weather we were excited to hit the water and filled the afternoon with a paddle to Snake Island located a mile and a half away at the inlet to the Gulf.

Combing for shark teeth in the white sands, we scored!

This spot in the world is beautiful, a bit wild and full of things to do.

It’s February and almost like a West Coast summer evening.

Appreciating our time together we left our friends to get back to their routines. With an early morning goodbye, they promised to visit us in California and we took off across the state towards Orlando.