Spring Break Part 3: Ft. DeSoto County Park

While we were in central Florida with our friend, we visited Ft. DeSoto Park, located on Mullet Island (yes, that's what it's called - I think I saw the guy who it was named after) off St. Petersburg. We decided that we should come back and spend more time there, so after Sanibel, we made Ft. DeSoto our destination.  They reserved a certain number of  "walk-in" campsites, so we took advantage of that to grab a Monday-Thursday night stay.

This was perhaps the most beautiful campground I've ever stayed in.  There were plenty of waterfront campsites, but (in order to not have to move mid-week) we stayed "inland."  So our water view was across the camp road.The breeze blew in off the water, keeping the campsite pleasantly cool even though the sun really warmed things up during the day.  Perfect weather for vacation!

We were on "relax" mode - we didn't make plans to go a lot of places or do a lot of things; but then again, we didn't need to, as there was plenty to do there in the park. 

We spent our time at the beach, checking out the fishing pier (and getting cast-net fishing lessons from a 12 year old), going to the old fort, riding our bikes, and of course, going to the beach!  We went to the beach every day, and a beautiful beach it was!  Uncrowded, nice sand, lots of space for the boys to play (and dig), and a beautiful place to watch the sun set!

 

On the last night we were staying there, I woke up very early in the morning - Andrew was coughing a little - just enough to keep me awake - so I decided to go out for a run.  As I was heading out of the park, I noticed a crowd gathering by the camp office.  I thought maybe they were meeting for an excursion or something, but when I returned, I realized that they were "walk ins" waiting to register for campsites for the weekend.  There were probably 50 of them there... before 5 am!  That's dedication!

That morning I ended up going for a 10 mile run/walk along the beach trails (note: one banana isn't enough fuel for that long of a run).  The beach road was closed from dusk to dawn, and I got there pre-dawn.  I didn't think anything of it until I got to the a bridge leading toward the beach... where there were large barricades proclaiming the beach "closed."  I ran past the barricades (and hid behind when a park truck came by - the park worker was taking down the closed signs).

There's something about an early-morning run anyway - I love watching the sun rise - but on the beach without another person in sight?... fantastic.  This was one of the best vacations I've ever taken.  Certainly the most relaxing and recharging!