The Wandering Disciple

There is no better way to explore the waters of Tampa Bay than by hopping on a kayak and spending a day on the water. As you paddle you way around the abundant waterways you with experience the wildlife and splendor of the Sunshine State.  This kayak trip was from Emerson Point Preserve. The kayak trail departs though a mangrove tunnel which leads to the bay with stunning views of the Sunshine Skyway bridge in the distance.  Taken: July 10, 2013 at Emerson Point Preserve (Palmetto, FL)

A short hike through a coastal mangrove forest followed by a climb of the observation tower results in a stunning view of Terra Ceia Bay. The quarter mile Observation Tower Trail is just one of the many trails at Emerson Point Park.  Emerson Point Park is a county park located in Palmetto, Florida. It is located on a peninsula at the tip of Palmetto, surrounded by Terra Cia Bay, Tampa Bay and the Manatee River. The 365-acre preserve protects coastal habitat which provides a great spot to hike and kayak while observing Floridian wildlife.  Taken: January 8, 2011 at Emerson Point Preserve (Palmetto, FL)

There is no better way to hit the water than by going kayaking. One part exercise, one part leisure and all adventure, kayaking is a great way to explore the coast and shallows. A great place to go is Emerson Point Reserve. Start your journey through a mangrove tunnel which leads you into the bay were you can kayak along with schools of fish, a few dolphins and maybe even take a swim. (Photo of the Day: July 10, 2013)

The tranquil waters of Tampa Bay provide a relaxing vibe at Emerson Point Preserve. Over 4 million people live surrounding Tampa Bay making it one of the most used waterways in the nation. The sheer size of the bay and the fact there are two major metropolitan areas on the banks of the bay, make for plenty of places like Emerson Point to enjoy the bay and what it has to offer. (Photo: January 8, 2011)

A short paddle through the scenic mangrove tunnel at Emerson Point opens up into the shallows of Tampa Bay.  The kayak tour here is one of the most scenic in the area, allowing kayakers of all experience levels to enjoy a day on the water.  (Photo: July 10, 2013)

A decorative piece of driftwood sits along a hiking trail at Emerson Point Preserve.  While the piece looks like it has been carved by an artist, it is a natural piece of wood created by Mother Nature.  (Photo: January 8, 2011)

As the sign indicates, slow speed is the way to go in these shallow waters.  Take the time to go slow and enjoy the scenery both above and below the water.  (Photo: July 10, 2013)

A quiet lagoon is one of the many waterways to explore at Emerson Point Preserve. The 365 acre preserve is located at the mouth of the Manatee River. (Photo: January 8, 2011)

A Great Blue Heron sits on the dock railing at Emerson Point Preserve in Manatee County.  The heron can be found along the waterways, looking for their next meal.  (Photo: January 8, 2011)

The calm waters off Emerson Point are a great place to go kayaking and look for native wildlife. A shaded mangrove tunnel at the kayak launch quickly gives way to the bay where you can see manatees and dolphins as well as all types of shore birds. (Photo: July 10, 2013)

The boardwalk of the observation trail spans across the water leading to the observation tower at Emerson Point Preserve.  From the top of the tower, you have a 360 degree view of Tampa Bay, Terra Ceia Bay and the Manatee River.  (Photo: January 8, 2011)

Palmetto, Florida:  We made it, our first experience with kayaking was a major success.  It has been a long time coming but today was the day we decided to try kayaking for the first time and it was a favorite for everyone on the family. We have been considering to go kayaking for a while but we kept holding off for a number of reasons.  At $55 per person, I always thought it was a big gamble for the unknown.  Would we like it, would it be too strenuous, are we going to flip over and drown or get bit by a shark or other sea life. But the topic of kayaking during our Staycation came up earlier this week and we revisited the idea of going but once again, we were hesitant over the cost.  Since we were on a small budget,  $165 was a big risk and would drain a big chunk of what we had planned for our excursions. Then over the weekend, we received a sign that really pushed us towards giving it a try.  While searching Groupon for deals on attractions,...

The Sunshine Skyway is visible in the distance as the Mangroves Tunnels open to Terra Ceia Bay at Emerson Point Park.  This photo is taken from our kayak tour with Shan-T Native Kayaks.  (Photo: July 10, 2013)

The calm waters of Terra Ceia Bay as seen along the hiking trails of Emerson Point Preserve. The 365 acre park features miles of hiking and kayaking trails that provide stunning views along the way. (Photo: January 8, 2011)

Palmetto, Florida: At the mouth of the Manatee River where it flows into the Tampa Bay, lies a haven for humans and wildlife to enjoy. Located on the tip of Snead Island, Emerson Point Preserve is a 365 acre preserve that is home to many native species of plants and animals. This peninsula in northern Manatee county is surrounded by three bodies of water; the Manatee River, Tampa Bay and Terra Ceia Bay. The abundance of water and the think native vegetation is home to many species of birds and mammals including hawks, osprey, herons and more. The preserve is also rich in history. Its ideal location made it a popular choice for early Native American tribe. The Portavant Temple Mound is an example of a Native American midden complex. The mound is made up fossilized fish bones, pottery and other discarded items from the tribes. The mound located here is the largest in the region. Also located within the boundaries of the park are remnants of another past resident. The ruins of a pioneer ...

Manatee County, Florida: My wife had in-service training today for a few hours, so I decided to travel along and visit some of the sites in Manatee County that have been on my list of things to do. Too many times we look to get far away to see attractions in new cities and often forget about the ones in our own backyard, today I took the time to visit some of these places. Our first stop of the day was Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto. The preserve is located on Snead Island and is surrounded by Tampa Bay, Terra Ceia Bay and the Manatee River. We started our tour of the preserve from the point parking lot. We hiked the Beach Walk Trail which was a .36 mile trail that went along the coast of the Tampa Bay and offers great views of the Sunshine Skyway and the City of St. Petersburg across the bay. Next we walked the adjacent Point Replica Mound Trail which had an overlook on top of the mound that gave great views of the Manatee River and Tampa Bay. We began to run short on time, ...