A glide through nature’s slice of undisturbed history
By KAREN M. TREMMEL
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006  |
 |
![[Image]](/content_images/022206_discovering_pinellas-03.jpg) |
| Photo by RICK TREMMEL |
| Return to the past while canoeing through the mangrove forests of the Weedon Island Preserve Canoe Trail. |
|
From the pier, kayaks point toward the shell strewn shore. Rowers and paddlers pack with granola bars, insect repellent, towels and bottles of water.
There is a marked trail around the bend at Weedon Island, a preserve originally acquired in 1898 by Dr. Leslie Weedon.
Ironically the original inhabitants of these lands were the Weeden Island Culture.
The four-mile canoe trail loops gently through low, thick mangrove forest and long stretches of seagrass flats.
There are many species of birds including: rosette spoonbills, ibis, great blue herons, plus schools of mullet and a fair share of mosquitoes and no-see-ums.
The magnificent Weedon Island Preserve offers invaluable lessons in natural history and a rewarding glimpse into the past, a place to remember the Weedon Island Peoples.
Tips: Be prepared with extra water, food, sunscreen and time. Some of the trail markers are obscured by overgrowth or difficult to see. Include different brands of insect repellent or no-see-um netting found at a local nature store. The insects can be relentless back in the mangroves. Once on open water the view is spectacular and truly unforgettable.
|
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
