The Wandering Disciple

Dotted all along the coast of Florida are tiny little barrier islands. These little uninhabited lands provide a great place to explore during the day. Only accessible by boat or kayak, you can have the island to yourself for the day for partying or relaxing under the sun. Just remember to leave it like you found it for everyone else to enjoy the last few remaining pieces on unspoiled coastal Florida. (Photo: May 10, 2015)

Placida, Florida: Located at the point of the Cape Haze peninsula is Placida Rotary Centennial Park. Home to the popular annual seafood festival, it’s the park’s fishing pier attracts visitors all year round. The fishing pier is actually part of an abandoned train trestle. During the peak of the phosphate mining days, the railroad took the phosphate from the mines to the freighters at Port Boca Grande. Once the rail operations were shut-down, the train tracks were decommissioned and sat unused, quickly deteriorating in the Florida weather. The Charlotte County government stepped in to turn portions of the track into fishing piers. The Placida portion is located on the mainland side, just south of the Boca Grande causeway. It goes several hundred yards out into the Gasparilla Pass and provides great fishing opportunities. In these waters you can catch grouper, drums, snapper and much more. In addition to the pier, there are great fishing spots located under the SR-771 bridge. 1...