On Wednesday we set out to visit a beach on Longboat Key. We were warned that it might be difficult to find a public beach. Most property owners on the key would rather that no public beaches existed so the signs are very small. Of course, parking is difficult. We had no trouble finding the key, but we did not see any signs big or small indicating a public beach. At the end of Longboat we crossed a bridge and almost immediately saw Coquina Beach, a large public beach. It was on the Gulf side and had a playground as well as a beach stretching along the water.
Wednesday was a very windy day. When we found the beach we discovered that there were white caps and more surf on the gulf than usual. If you look closely at the palm trees you can see how strong the wind was blowing.
One of the interesting aspects of the beach was that in one area there were long concrete barriers built out into the water. Around them were boulders. I tried to find out why these concrete barriers had originally been constructed but have failed to find out anything.
In Bradenton I noticed that there were several older houses built on stilts. We didn't stop to take any photographs but this is the idea. Other houses had a cinderblock ground floor with the "real" house beginning on the second floor well out of the way of the risk of flooding.
We came across this park on Longboat Key. It was created for Joan Durante by her husband James. We set out following a trail. We figured that at some point we would come back to the parking lot and pavilion. Although it was a very windy day, the trail leading through the mangrove was sheltered and pleasant. Part of the pathway was crushed shells while other sections were board.
If you are in need of a lot of privacy, this is not the public restroom for you.
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