Chelle Koster Walton 2017-12-11 06:21:43
SOCIAL BUZZ Author Pam Rambo on shelling in Florida: “Worm shells—or as I like to call them “wormies”—are wild and whimsical with their twists and turns. That’s why they are my favorite beach finds.” Pam Rambo is a blogger and author with a passion for shelling. @iLoveShelling @iLoveShelling @iLoveShelling @pamrambo Treasures from the Sea: A Beachcomber's Guide Search {Beaches} at VISITFLORIDA.com Walk along a Florida beach and you’ll find natural treasures from fossils and seashells to colorful sea glass. Use this guide to inspire your next beachcombing adventure. Sea Fauna at T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park At the far reaches of the isolated Cape San Blas peninsula, known as “the Cape” by locals, this state park feels like you have reached the end of the earth. Blazing white dune beaches create one of the state’s most dramatic beachscapes and, most important, sea turtle and shorebird nesting habitats. If you look closely along the nearly 10 miles of unspoiled beach, you will find ghost crabs shoveling fistfuls of sand from their holes, star fish near the water’s edge, washed-up sea fans and sponges, and other marine life. Treasure-hunting tips: Where the wilderness preserve begins, facilities are unavailable, so make sure you have plenty of water and supplies. Driftwood at Big Talbot Island State Park Rugged and windswept, about two miles of beaches along Big Talbot Island are referred to as “Boneyard Beach.” Particularly at the barrier island’s north end, the skeletal remains of salt- and sun-bleached cedar and eroded oak trees make a dramatic driftwood backdrop for photographers. The easiest way to access Boneyard Beach is via The Bluffs and Blackrock trails. Treasure-hunting tips: At times, it is difficult to access the shoreline. Call ahead or visit the website for current trail conditions. Collecting driftwood is prohibited within the state park. Sea Glass and Treasure at Hutchinson Island Its “Treasure Coast” nickname refers to more than the natural beauty of Hutchinson Island. Gold coins from a Spanish treasure fleet that wrecked in 1715 still wash up on local beaches. The skinny 48-mile-long island offers both popular beachfront resorts and secluded, peaceful beaches. Beachcombers wield metal detectors, hoping to find treasure. Sea glass seekers also sift for slivers of green, white, brown, red, yellow and purple gems buffeted smooth by the sea in the Indian River Lagoon. Treasure-hunting tips: The beach access at Walton Rocks Beach has amenities including showers, restrooms and free parking. It’s even pet-friendly. Sharks’ Teeth at Venice Beach Venice Beach is known for its abundant sharks’ teeth. Thanks to an ancient off shore shark graveyard, fossilized teeth ranging in size from tiny and barely visible to palm-sized wash up along the beach accesses. Beach scenes vary along this stretch. For an unspoiled shoreline, visit Caspersen Beach in the south; for a more developed strand, visit Brohard and Venice Beach, home to a popular fishing pier. Treasure-hunting tips: Local stores sell “Florida snow shovels,” mesh baskets on a long handle you can use to sift through sand for sharks’ teeth and other finds. The best place to “pull teeth” is the south end of Caspersen Beach. Florida Beaches, Past and Present Search {Beaches} at VISITFLORIDA.com Florida’s beaches are rich with history. Visit these four beaches, all with a memorable past. Fort De Soto County Park in Tierra Verde Fort De Soto, completed in 1906, was originally built as a fortress during the Spanish-American War. Today, visitors head to the island to explore fort remains on the 1,136-acre park. It’s the perfect outdoor retreat with beaches, two fishing piers, a campground, nature and multi-use trails, and even a ferry service to Egmont and Shell keys. American Beach on Amelia Island Founded in 1935 during the Jim Crow era, American Beach promised African Americans “recreation and relaxation without humiliation.” Now, it’s a quiet respite for all, while its museum honors the beach’s legacy. Palm Beach A historic landmark on Palm Beach, The Breakers hotel served as a military hospital during the World War II era. Today, Palm Beach is synonymous with luxury, serving as the ultimate playground for vacationers, celebrities and statesmen. Key West During prohibition, smugglers offloaded rum from Cuba to keep the Key West party alive. The town still has a reputation for revelry, and Key West’s First Legal Distillery produces the island’s very own grog. FIND OUT WHY SO MANY LOVE DAYTONA BEACH Scan this page with your phone to discover Daytona Beach’s best experiences. Download the free Blippar App. See full instructions on pg. 6.
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