[graciegirl]

Took the girls to see the shore today.Went through Mount Dora and then to route 4. It took about an hour and 45 minutes to get to Daytona Beach and it was a great day. Had lunch on a pier and drove on the beach and then went walking and looking for shells. It was windy but not cold and oh so refreshing to hear and feel the great ocean. We returned from Ormond Beach (a pretty area) using route 40. Still the same amount of time.

Does anyone know if there are nice public beaches at the gulf near Wikiwachee? It looks much closer on the map. How long does that trip take???

[thegreenerside]

I believe the only beaches on the west coast are St Pete. North of Tampa/St Pete there is no coast line like on the east coast.

[fraurauch]

The prettiest beach I have seen in Florida is Siesta Key, south of Sarasota. There are actually a lot of beautiful beaches on the Gulf side.

[Karen83]

We took a drive to Clearwater Sunday and it took less than 1 1/2 hours to get there. We had a great lunch at the Marina and the beach looked wonderful!

This is a day trip we will definitely be making with our Grandchildren!

Karen

[Cassie325]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Took the girls to see the shore today.Went through Mount Dora and then to route 4. It took about an hour and 45 minutes to get to Daytona Beach and it was a great day. Had lunch on a pier and drove on the beach and then went walking and looking for shells. It was windy but not cold and oh so refreshing to hear and feel the great ocean. We returned from Ormond Beach (a pretty area) using route 40. Still the same amount of time.

Does anyone know if there are nice public beaches at the gulf near Wikiwachee? It looks much closer on the map. How long does that trip take???

GG....I am not sure about the beaches but it takes about an hour to get to the Wikiwachee area.

Fraurauch...I AGREE! Siesta Key is absolutely the most beautiful I have ever seen. My grandparents lived there for many years. I don't normally like the sand but I would walk for hours on that beach!

[dgammon6]

Another great beach is Top Sail Hill State Park near Destin. 3 miles of untouched beach, great RV spots and several new cabins.

[Midge538]

There is a saltwater beach on the gulf in Crystal River (Fort Island Park) which is an hour's drive from the Villages. I keep my boat at a marina there and fish the river, bay and Gulf. It is a great place to visit. Yesterday, we collected blueclaw crabs for dinner, spent time with the manatees, and just spent a pleasant day cruising and enjoying the wonderful experience of nature and the crystal clear springs that feed the river. A great place for a fun, relaxing and educational day eco tour .... and great to take visitors or family visitors.

[MMC24]

Midge538:

Great Pic's thanks for sharing.

[Midge538]

Crystal River Indian Temple Mound

A six-mound complex, built by pre-Columbian mound builders, that is considered one of the longest continually occupied sites in Florida, believed to have been occupied for 1,600 years. Native Americans traveled long distances to the complex to bury their dead and to engage in trading activities. An estimated 7,500 Native Americans may have visited the complex annually when it was occupied. The complex contains burial mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area, and a midden. A half-mile paved loop trail passes by each mound, with signs interpreting the mounds. A 55 step observation deck atop the park's largest mound, Temple Mound, provides a panoramic view of the area. The park contains coastal marsh and is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

[Barefoot]

I understand there are some pet-friendly beaches with dog parks. Does anyone have information on where they would be located?

We stopped at Ormand Beach on the way from Canada and it was just wonderful to see the ocean and walk on the sand. It is the one thing I miss in The Villages.

[ConeyIsBabe]

Y'all are making me cry 38 degrees this morning, cloudy with misty rain!

ENJOY FLORIDA & HAPPY THANKSGIVING

[MelZ]

Crystal river and the Manatees are very cool. Years ago I did my open water SCUBA certification there.

[Whalen]

[QUOTE=Midge538;175076]There is a saltwater beach on the gulf in Crystal River (Fort Island Park) which is an hour's drive from the Villages. I keep my boat at a marina there and fish the river, bay and Gulf. It is a great place to visit. Yesterday, we collected blueclaw crabs for dinner, spent time with the manatees, and just spent a pleasant day cruising and enjoying the wonderful experience of nature and the crystal clear springs that feed the river. A great place for a fun, relaxing and educational day eco tour .... and great to take visitors or family visitors.



When & where is dinner?

[Midge538]

"When & where is dinner?[/QUOTE] .....

Whalen ..

Gee, had your plate ready but my phone wouldn't connect ... go figure!! Next time .

[Whalen]

We'll take you up on that. Hold those crabs.
We'll be down for a lifestyle preview the week of th 8th.
See you then.
Gail & Dave