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"The history of the Sebastian Inlet area goes back to the end of the last ice age. The barrier islands were formed as sandbars off the coast of the mainland. As vegetation took hold on the sandbars, animals moved in, followed by the first human inhabitants, the Paleo hunters." (Credit: McLarty Treasure Museum) Tomorrow marks two weeks since I've returned to my favorite spot on the Florida coast & whether I stay longer remains to be seen! While the town of Sebastian sits along the river; the majority of Sebastian that's ocean side is state park and wildlife preserve. Hence, why I love it here. The barrier island has a number of small towns, but to the north (15 miles) is Melbourne Beach and to the south (9 miles) is Vero Beach. When I head to do errands or need a library, I head north as I don't have to cross a causeway for amenities. While this area continues to grow, there is enough preservation in place to keep its natural beauty somewhat intact! On sunny days, I rise early to perhaps see the sun come up over the ocean, while I never miss a sunset on the riverfront. On cold or rainy days, there's still much to do, and in fact, this is my third winter here and I still have a few spots to explore. All the while I'm trying to find a seasonal job which my purse needs but my spirit certainly does not!
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I headed to the Gulf side to visit with a friend but that never came to fruition. That said, I had a much more fun time in Tampa than expected starting with some very interesting people from all over the world. Days were spent playing tourist (mostly by bike) & I almost wished for a rainy day so I could go to the art & history museums. My favorite spot was the former Tampa Bay Hotel which boasted the first electric lights in Tampa and the first elevator in Florida. You can see the minarets from quite a distance but I biked to the University campus to take a closer look. Thanks to Jeff (of Maryland!), I also cycled along gorgeous waterfront areas of Harbourside and Davis Island with views of the city skyline. While I did cruise through the famous Ybor City neighborhood, I was underwhelmed; it's now too famous to be "quaint". In Tampa Heights, across from my hostel, is the Woodlawn Cemetery where I decided to stroll for an hour and catch some interesting late 1800s styles. Evenings were spent in conversation with fellow travelers who were great company to keep. The photos tell the rest of the story, but I have to say that I was quite pleasantly surprised by the beauty and livability of this city. Who knew? |
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September 2024
AuthorCyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover Categories |
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