We decided to go over to Honeymoon Island today, a barrier island just north of Clearwater and Dunedin. It is now a State Park and has an interesting history. On the way, we stopped at Frenchy's Outpost for lunch. It is on the way to the park and has the same menu as the Frenchy's in Clearwater Beach, but it is a little smaller. The crowd today wasn't bad and we got right in. Later on in the season, it is very busy with long waiting times.
Honeymoon State Park is just beyond Frenchy's over a causeway, where people can park, fish, sunbath, or just sit in a beach chair enjoy the experience. No swimming, however. There is also a bike /walking trail that many people use. A place where you can rent kayaks and water things is also along the causeway. The other side of the causeway also has a several apartments/condominiums before you get to the entrance to the state park.
After entering the park, we visited the nature center.
The nature center was started with a $90,000 Rotary grant in 2004 from the two Rotary clubs in Dunedin to celebrate the Rotary Centennial celebration in 2005. With the ongoing support of Rotary, state and local governments, and the surrounding communities, the nature center opened in 2007 and was named the Rotary Centennial Nature Center. at Honeymoon Island State Park. Another example of Rotary at Work.
After the nature center, we drove round the park. There are three separate beaches on the Gulf-side and a number of walking trails.
Judy and I always vistaed the park, hiked the trails, and observed the many Osprey nests and a Bald Eagle nest that always had chicks every time we were here. The park is also home to ground tortoises, owls and rattlesnakes (Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes-- very docile and not aggressive). There is also a ferry out to Caladesi Island, another barrier island nearby and part of the park. It is about a 15-minute boat ride and has a great beach. We also went there every trip, just to relax in rented beach chairs, getting our feet wet, and beach walking.
Honeymoon
Island State Park | Florida State Parks
How the park was named has an interesting history. The area was developed as a Honeymoon resort retreat. All the women had to have letter from their priest, documenting they were really married. Times have changed.
On the way back to the RV we stopped for a few things for dinner, hamburgers grilled outside.
No firm plans for tomorrow. It's great to not have a schedule right now.
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