The Sandbar and the Myakka River State Park

We had a nice visit from my sister-in-law Patti.

She came to watch Rocky while we went to the Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show for four days as well as the vacation in this warm and green state.

Here is Patti and I at our favorite Anna Maria Island restaurant, The Sandbar. Note the "sugar sand" beach. It is very fine, soft and white! This is a stone's throw to our property. Beware, this place is a mandatory stop for all visitors!

 On Patti's last day we went to the Myakka River State Park.

Rocky sits on the center console of the truck and navigates the way there. We call him "The Tri-pilot".  He hunts for cows along the way between naps. He now knows the word "cow" and will go a bit nuts if you utter the word. Often we need to refer to cows as "Friends of Rocky".

The Myakka River State Park is one of the largest and oldest parks  in Florida having been opened in the 1920's.

Aside from the wildlife and foliage, we were excited to see a CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) structure in great condition. The log cabin below made of palm trees for walls and the roof is made from the common southern yellow pine which is very hard and full of sap.  Quite flammable.

The Civilian Conservation Corps was created by President Franklin Roosevelt in March 1933, just three weeks after he took office.  The country was in the midst of the Depression, and the CCC put unemployed young men to work and revitalized the country’s natural resources.

The 1930s enrollees, or “CCC boys” as they were often called, earned $30 a month with $25 sent home to their families

From 1933-1942 three million men were part of the “Tree Army.”  They built trails, roads, campgrounds and parks; planted trees; protected stream banks; tackled soil erosion projects; and fought fires and floods. 

 The floors are time polished travertine which is just compacted shell from thousands of years. The woodworking, hand hewn beams and metal work are very cool.

Note the door hinge below. downright medieval!

Now for the wildlife:

Educating the Rockstar.

One of five alligators spotted in the area. Yikes!

 A swim, my pretty?????

By driving through the park slowly, we not only saw alligators but wild boars, turkeys and a couple deer.  The hikes are under canopies of oaks and palm trees keeping the hot sun off you. Great place to visit.