An Excursion to Coastal Bradenton

Anywhere you travel in Florida, you are certain to find a park:  nature, recreational, historical, community centers.  These areas are managed by many different organizations:  cities, counties, the state, US government, water management, power companies, nature organizations, hunting clubs, environmental groups, and more.  

On this trip we visited DeSoto National Memorial, is managed by the US National Park System, and Robinson Preserve, managed by Manatee County.

Reconstructed Military Camp

DeSoto National Memorial is truly a step back to an earlier time.   The property is on the banks of the Tampa Bay with moss draped oak trees, manicured lawn, a sandy shore, and a reconstructed fortification.  

View of Tampa Bay

Background from the park website instructs us "In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting their homelands. De Soto’s quest for glory and gold would be a four year, four thousand mile odyssey of intrigue, warfare, disease, and discovery that would form the history of the United States."

Recreated structure at the memorial

Strolling the grounds is peaceful so take the short nature trail that borders the bay.   Not so peaceful but educational is the 20 minute video on the history of the area and DeSoto's travels.  This is a must see if you want to understand the Spanish influence and interaction with the native Americans.  Afterwards, take a stroll to the fortification for a ranger lead first person history lesson.

Yours truly at the park

As we were in the area it was a short drive to Robinson Preserve which is "A 487-acre mosaic of mud flats, mangrove swamps, and beaches, Robinson Preserve is a testament to the spirit of Aldo Leopold. Formerly farmland in a district of Bradenton known for its tropical plant nurseries, this expanse of waterfront habitats has undergone extensive restoration, from removal of invasive species to re-creating tidal creeks and basins nourished by the rise and fall of Tampa Bay."  From http://www.floridahikes.com/robinson-preserve

View from the Observation Tower

The preserve is a wonderful return to nature of agricultural lands with canoe-able mangrove trails through native vegetation that winds along the Tampa bay.

Mangroves along the canoe trails.

And as we hiked the several miles of trails the landscape so resembled my last yard in Lantana, FL.  I guess we achieved a Florida yard at that long-gone house.  When in the area, stop at both parks... you will not be disappointed and you may avoid the traffic snarl on AnnaMarie Island.

Was this my previous home in Lantana
Or Robinson Preserve?