Question about Florida Travel

B

Bess-C

New member
We will be in Sarasota from 2/9 to 2/13 for a meeting. After the meeting we will be driving to the Keys (Big Pine) and staying there until 3/1. We will have 2-3 days to get to the Keys, leaving Sarasota the afternoon of the 13th.

I have a question for you Florida folks. Where is a good place to stay for a day or two? I've stayed in Naples before, but just for a conference, so I don't know any of the area well. I thought of Sanibel Island, or further down in the Naples or Marco Island area. We want to take the route of the Tamiami Trail across the Everglades. Is there anything that we should see along that route?
Lyle
 
Big Cypress National Preserve has several campgrounds, which usually have vacancies if you want to camp along Hwy 41. Oasis visiter center is a good place to check out what is available. We will stay in Sarasota and them camp in the Preserve the next night before getting to the Keys.

Some of the "swamp people" have various types of tours. We have not taken them. There are airboat tours at Everglade City on the West side. some of the places in the interior look a little iffy--Big Cypress has some of the "swamp buggy" tours...

I have stayed on both Sanibel and Marco Islands in the past--both are worth while. I am sure some of the locals can give you more information.
 
Traveling from Sarasota to the Keys on Tamiami Trail gives a great opportunity to see some unique sights.
1. Kereshan State Historical Park in Estero. See the buildings and learn about this sect which tried a new society in the Florida Swamps. We have enjoyed hiking and canoeing here.
2. Collier-Seminole State Park. See the original walking dredge that built the Tamiami Trail
3. Shark Valley in Everglades National Park. See enough gators close up to last a lifetime.
4. A side trip down to Everglades City is always a trip, although we always go by boat.
 
Thanks for the help. It looks like we'll be staying one night in Naples, then on across the Tamiami Trail to the Keys. We're flying in, not traveling with an RV or camping equipment, so it doesn't look like there's any place to stay in the Everglades. We will check out the parks that you've mentioned.

This is our 6th year staying at the same house on Big Pine Key. I rent a skiff and poke around the back country. It's a fascinating area to fish and explore.
Lyle
 
I hear the tarpoon are moving north from the Keys.

We are regulars at Andy's Seafood Market and enjoyed fresh off the boat stone crabs in October. Delicous

Since October, there have been several fish kills in Collier and Charlotte counties due to red tide . Around Xmas, thousands of mullet washed on Englewood Beach and we didnt catch many fish (mostly sharks,stingrays, catfish, some type of fish full of teeth and looks like lizard) in Charlotte Harbor or the canals. The weahter was another factor with some cold spells, rain, storms, and high winds but went boating as much as possible ( a couple of return trips due sea sick crew. When I flew in, it was 83 and sunny, and my birthday. We spent the afternoon boating around the Harbor :D

Enjoy

I love the Everglades even with its long history of being improved by man
:lol:
The big threat now are the boa constrictors.

Best
 
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