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I've been meaning to post in here about the trip - I'm sorry for the delay!
Anyhow, the trip was completely fantastic. I would go back to Englewood and Manasota Key in a heartbeat. I was within walking distance of both Englewood beach and Stump Pass beach and the amount of shells and sharksteeth that you described did not dissapoint at all.
We spent a good 2 hours on most days on the beach, usually in the early morning before the sun got too hot. What I loved about it was we were alone. There would be almost no other people around so we could just relax in solitude with nothing but the sound of the water gentling lapping on the beach.
The water was incredibly warm and my five year old daughter just loved it. She was able to play in the water close to shore and it was only up to her waist. There was only waves on one day (actually had waves breaking on the sandbar and then on the shore)
I spent a ton of time snorkelling trying to find shells and just in general staring at the bottom of the gulf. We brought about 30 shells back with us, a couple of very very nice specimens.
We even found some live fighting conchs and crabs close to shore. Our landlord found some starfish but I never actually saw those.
We also spent a few days in the late afternoon fishing off of the pier at the bridge. That was a nice relaxing way to wrap up the day. Too bad we didnt really catch anything of note though.
However, we did see a LOT of Dolphins just off the pier chasing the fish on the lines and then begging the fishermen for their catch - it was so cool!
I didnt do any boating or jet-skiing, the cost was just too expensive.
We tried quite a few of the local restaurants - our two favourites were Woody's BBQ, and Barnacle Bills - both in Englewood. We also stopped for a soft-serve ice cream every day at the big massive cone on hwy 776 in the Publix plaza.
We took a drive to Port Charlotte one day and to Venice another day, but we didnt really stop, just drove around.
We also did a day at Magic Kingdom and spent the night in a cheap motel near the park. Couldnt believe the prices to get into Disney! Holy Expensive!
We were going to do the day cruise that you recommended but the day before I overdid the snorkelling (2 hours straight in very clear water) and burnt the crap out of my back, my neck, arms and legs, that we decided to take the day easy and recover.
My family and I want to thank you for all of your advice. Thanks to you I found a gem on the coast of SW Florida and I would and will definately go back to Manasota Key in Englewood.
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Winston Churchill
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