The Wandering Disciple

Hop aboard the floating pontoon of Logan’s River Tour and see a side of the wild and scenic Myakka River that most people don’t see. When you think of the Myakka River, you instantly think of the Myakka River State Park. And while that portion of the park is pristine, there are still miles of unspoiled river to explore. Launching from the boat ramp near Snook Haven, the tour will take you through the southern portion of the river as it begins to transition for a tight freshwater river into a brackish estuary before it meets the saltwater of Charlotte Harbor. (Photo: December 23, 2015)

An alligator lies along the Myakka River as seen on today's tour of the river aboard the Nan-Sea.  Alligators are cold-blooded and can be seen on the riverbanks lying in the sun on cooler days, helping to regulate their body temperature.  (Photo: December 23, 2015)

Venice, Florida: Departing from historic Snook Haven, Logan River Tours embarks on a scenic tour of the Myakka River. While only traveling a couple miles, the 1-hour tour lets guests see the wild Myakka River in all her glory. The tour begins at Snook Haven, a popular Old Florida restaurant on the Myakka River. Here you board the Nan-Sea, a 40-foot pontoon boat which will be your ticked to exploring the river for the next hour. The Myakka River is a 68-mile river which begins in northern Manatee County and flows south into Charlotte Harbor. The 34-miles which passes through Sarasota County was designated as a Wild and Scenic River by Florida Legislature in 1985. Much of the section seen during the tour is undeveloped and looks as it appeared when settlers first discovered the region. It was a rather quiet ride on our trip today thanks in part by higher than normal water levels. But we did manage to see a few alligators and turtles sunning themselves as well as a little...