Today we did nothing… one of the joys of being anchored and enjoying the surroundings! David loves collecting sharks teeth. I just love beachcombing, especially on the Southwest Florida Barrier Islands because there’s so much stuff to find. Lots of shells, but today we enjoyed Don Pedro State Park, yet another barrier island state park accessible only by private boat or ferry. For more on us collecting sharks teeth, click here.
The morning dawned clear after a early morning rain shower rinsed the salt from yesterday’s sail off the boat. But by the time we had a couple cups of coffee, the morning fog tried to roll in — unsuccessfully, but still making weird dark cloud patterns low to the ground. Luckily, they dissipated and by the time we dropped the dinghy to go adventuring, it was clear, sunny and gorgeous.
Don Pedro State Park is known more for fossil sharks teeth than shells, but we must have been distracted (more on that later) because we forgot our baggie to collect the sharks teeth. No matter, David clearly wins. I had 38 sharks teeth — mine are the collection at the bottom and David clearly has more. I’m not going to count, we’ll just credit him with winning today’s round.
To visit Don Pedro State park, start looking for the tiny mangrove lined opening just after ICW Marker #33 — it’ll be on your port side as you’re proceeding north. Obviously, if you’re coming south, it’ll be after Green ICW Marker #35 just south and start looking to starboard. There’s a small sign, mostly buried in overgrown mangrove trees and an opening. Follow the opening through to the very shallow lagoon and follow the marked channel to the park docks. There are only 12 boat slips, first come first serve. Dinghies and kayaks can slip behind the dock and pull up on the tiny beach or tie off.
Walk the short path to the picnic shelter, restrooms, nature trail and beach. Enjoy!
