Ft Meyers, FL 38 miles from Coconut Point to Ft Meyers Beach Pier.
It was a another nice day for a ride. weather was in the high 70 to low 80s and humid. A good wind was blowing from the southwest. I rode south along Tamiami trail. I think this road goes to Miami, but I'm not positive. Anyway, I rode south on a nice sidewalk for about 5 miles to get to the road that would take me to the gulf shore. As I turned west I passed by many stores and a few restaurants catering to beach goers. When I got to the shore I noticed that access was somewhat restricted with several private pay beaches along the road. There were however a surprising number of public access point with cute little parking lots with space for 8-10 vehicles. I came across a state park and decided to go in. Lovers Key was the name given. I immediately began to wonder how it got its name. For $2 they let me ride my bike anywhere in the park including dirt nature trails. I took advantage and rode for about 3 mile off pavement. there were a few tricky spots where soft sand wanted me to go a different direction. the gulf shore beach was crowded with people, umbrellas, chairs. Inland there were kayaks paddling in the bayou but swimming was not allowed due to alligators. Gee, if there are alligators in there would a plastic kayak adequately protect the kayaker? They must be small alligators! I have never seen a manatee. When I saw a ranger I asked if there might be a good vantage point for this activity? She said she had seen one earlier in the day near the ranger station and suggested I look there. I looked at every bit of brackish water that I could find but no luck! By this time my stomach was calling for food, so I resumed my ride towards the pier. I had been riding a marked bike path on the road for several miles. I came upon a bridge and a sign stated that the bike trail was ending.Mather funny thing was an arrow pointed on the trail for riders to continue over the bridge. I guess the sign was to mitigate their responsibility as the bridge was narrow with no shoulder. Several more miles on beach houses, then gradually more and more people were about. this was Ft Meyers Beach. The pier area was by far the busiest area that I had been to. hundreds of people were moving about, walking, eating, fishing, enjoying the day. After walking the short and narrow pier, I retreated from the crowd to a waterfront restaurant that I had eyed along my ride. The grouper sandwich was very good as advertised! My waitress even brought me a piece of tape so that I might attempt fixing my sunglasses that broke a few minutes earlier. this was not a day to be without! Before long it was time to head back to my hotel. Along the way I took one more peek by the rangers station for manatees. Today was not the day for me to see one of these creatures
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