Friends and family members who do not share my joy in traveling sometimes ask whether my interest is in the destination or the journey there. Yes! Yes to both!
Traveling keeps us young, vibrant, interesting and interested in our world. Equally important as a destination and the getting to that place are the companions with whom one chooses to share a new experience.
Take, for example, Fort Island Gulf Beach, located on Florida’s Nature Coast in Crystal River. It is well off the beaten path, yet is popular among locals for swimming, picnicking, boating and fishing, among other activities, such as a monthly drum circle.
In town, from Highway 19 at Grannie’s restaurant, turn on to West Fort Island Trail and head west. You’ll pass some offices, commercial space, condos, a resort and more, then the landscape changes.
You’ll quickly begin to see true, lush Florida nature and its thriving wildlife as the road passes through miles of shallow grassy flats.
An almost surreal moment will occur when you glance to the north and suddenly see the Crystal River Coal and Nuclear Power Plant. This 1,478.4-megawatt coal-fired power station operated by Duke Energy Florida dominates the horizon across the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
No worries, the nuclear power plant is closed and the facility is being decommissioned and is transitioning to a SAFSTOR condition. The de-fuelled plant will be monitored for about the next 50 years before complete decontamination and dismantling of the site. Nuclear licensing then no longer will be required.
At the end of West Fort Island Trail, you’ll find Fort Island Gulf Beach. The curved, 1,000-foot beach has calm, shallow waters and a roped-off swimming area. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Families with small children, those who cannot swim and even those who are afraid of natural waters can take assurance in being able to safely dip their toes or more in the warm waters of the Gulf.
Parking is free and ample at Fort Island Gulf Beach, and there are covered pavilions, picnic tables and restrooms. I’ve heard that during the summer, there are food vendors, but as my friends and I were there during the pandemic, we did not see any - nor did we expect to.
I recommend that you bring water and other beverages, a picnic lunch, towels (to sit on, use to dry off and to clean up before getting in your car to leave) and maybe some beach toys and floats.
After a full day of floating in Crystal River’s famous springs and swimming with the manatees, my little group did something completely different while we enjoyed the beach, water and a shady pavilion here. We made tie dye on the beach! Three white tee shirts and visors each, a few bottles of dye and a handful of rubber bands (plus ample bags to haul out the very wet finished pieces), and voila! Were we ever groovy with peace, love and tie dye!
Fort Island Gulf Beach also has a boat ramp, dock accessibility and a fishing pier. The pier isn’t just for fishing - it’s a great place to see wildlife, including dolphins. You can stroll along a nice boardwalk where you can see more native vegetation and wildlife.
I hope you check out this sweet little beach. It has its own personality, and is untouched by the tourist trade, beach condos, neon lights, traffic, souvenir shops and many of the modern things that are often best viewed from the rear-view mirror of your car as you seek to be close to the warm sands of a beach, the calls of birds, the sight of dolphins and the gentle...
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