One Of Tampa’s Coolest Treasures
Published by The Tampa Pirate May 21st, 2007 in Entertainment, Family, Florida, Tampa[[Image:PostImages/FtDesotoFromKite.jpg|center|500|400|Aerial Kite photo by Mike (http://home.rochester.rr.com/srinz/
kapgallery.html)]]
Most pirates hate forts, but Fort Desoto is different. I spent this weekend with my family enjoying the beautiful scenery and great activities that Fort Desoto Park has to offer. The park is in the Pinellas County Park System at the mouth of Tampa Bay and spans 5 islands totaling 1,136 acres. On Mullet Key at the end of the island chain sits an Army fort. The fort is a relic from the early 1900’s that was built to protect the mouth of Tampa Bay. This was accomplished with 3″ (7.62cm) rapid fire guns 6″(15.42cm) Armstrong rifles and eight 12″ (30.48 cm) mortars.
[[Image:PostImages/IMAGE_114.jpg|left|250|160|6" (15.24cm) Armstrong
Rifle]][[Image:PostImages/12InchMortars.JPG|left|250|160|12-Inch M1890-M1 Mortars]]From the Gulf of Mexico it is hard to see the fort because of the camouflage of palms trees, yuca plants, oak trees, sea grasses and dunes. When you walk behind the fort, you can see the deadly surprise that would have awaited any hostile ships who tried to enter the bay. It would have been awesome to see and hear them fire. The thunderous roar would have been deafening.
The piers are very nice for fishing or just walking on and the two beaches are beautiful. The North Beach has alot of unique features including a sandbar island and a jetty that offers shell hunters and skim-boarders a very cool experience. The marine life is astounding as you can wade through seas of baby shrimp and krill that are attracting feeding fish of all sizes. We saw a school of baby 8″ nurse sharks, crabs and sand dollars. There was one down side however. WARNING TO PARENTS OF SMALL CHILDREN AND THOSE WITH WEAK STOMACHS: There are lots of fat, nasty older men in G-Strings hanging out (pun intended) down the beach on the Gulf of Mexico side. They are for the most part out of view of the general population, but if you are inadvertently wading on the other side of the island you will encounter this horrendous site, the images burned into your brain will shock and frighten you for years to come. [[Image:PostImages/IMAGE_110.jpg|right|250|160|North Beach Jetty]][[Image:PostImages/IMAGE_108.jpg|right|250|160|Good side of North Beach]]
With the exception of the scary dudes, the park is very family friendly and has lots to offer. kayaks and canoes can be rented to explore the back bays and islands. The fishing is terrific and the camp sites are roomy and clean. If you want to ride bikes or skate there are alot of paths as well as trails for hiking. The park is a jewel that every person in Florida needs to see. It offers something for everyone.
[tags]camping, Fort Desoto, Pinellas County, Tampa Bay, Egmont Key Lighthouse, family fun[/tags]
6 Responses to “One Of Tampa’s Coolest Treasures”
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One of the nicest spots in the whole region. They also have a kickass dog park and leash-free dog beach with water clean enough you don’t mind swimming right alongside Rover(try that at Davis Island, not so much).
This is our FAVORITE beach! We love the North beach, but want to take LuLu to the doggy beach! Glad to hear it’s nice there too!
WP,
Yeah the dog beach is awesome too, it is a great place to hang out. I will be going back more. Our next camping trip is gonna be there too. Who knows maybe well have an open Tampa Pirate party and see who will show up.
David Island area is beautiful, but the water IS kind of rough. LOL..
Thanks for the comment.
Peace
Mark
aka
The Tampa Pirate
What’s a Scurvy Dog? A Scurvy Dog is an old pirate term defined as follows:
scurvy dog skur’ve n dog n - Pirate talk for a vile; mean; low; vulgar; contemptible person.
I have decided.[...]
Anacris,
The North Beach is the best one. MAybe we can plan a get together with the families some weekend.
Peace
Mark
aka
The Tampa Pirate
What’s a Scurvy Dog? A Scurvy Dog is an old pirate term defined as follows:
scurvy dog skur’ve n dog n - Pirate talk for a vile; mean; low; vulgar; contemptible person.
I have decided.[...]
Yeah baby. One of the voxers fave hideouts. Accessible by boat, foot, car, bike. yeah baby.
Hey, did you know that if not for Howard Troxler and a few brave and honest commissioners (did SHE SAY THAT??) that Pinellas Cty would be ruining this destination BEFORE we typed this???
Vox,
Yeah…. I love Desoto, it is pretty awesome.
I will have to look into that. I love it when commissioners know their job. BTW Mark Sharpe with the Hillsborough CC is pretty good like that too. He maybe a Republican, but he will fight either party if he doesn’t agree with something they propose. We need more of these guys willing to stand up for the little guys.
Oh also I am seeing that the media is now doing what you were 6 months ago. They are questioning the murder statistics for Tampa. Great job blowing the whistle on this long before the MSM or state gov cared.
Thanks for the comment.
Peace
Mark
aka
The Tampa Pirate
What’s a Scurvy Dog? A Scurvy Dog is an old pirate term defined as follows:
scurvy dog skur’ve n dog n - Pirate talk for a vile; mean; low; vulgar; contemptible person.
I have decided.[...]