Early-on, the Florida coasts had been mainly unconnected.
So, in 1923, Russell Kay organized the Tamiami Trail Blazers Expedition to create a roadway by the Everglades to attach the coasts. Twenty-one contributors took half in this enterprise, and the caravan included seven Model T Fords, an Elcar and a commissary truck. The group was led by Conopatchee, a Seminole information.
Feared misplaced or lifeless in the Everglades, a search social gathering discovered them exhausted however properly. After nineteen days, the expedition reached Miami to a hero’s welcome.
Today the Tamiami Trail is a portion of US 41 that connects Tampa to Miami. I moseyed up this roadway to Sarasota to catch a flight. But earlier than that, there are different factors of curiosity for pontification.
Coconut Point
As talked about final week, this space borders the cities of Estero and Bonita Springs. The Spaniards named the situation Estero, which implies estuary, or “where river meets sea”. Over the years, the world has been well-known for rising citrus and was as soon as the house of the utopian group referred to as The Koreshan Unity.
Folks got here from as distant as Montana to seize land to supply something citrus.
While right here, one should partake of some superb native fare, and one hotspot is the Corkscrew Bar and Grill. This open-air joint serves some nice grub and depraved pina coladas. The grouper sandwich is a monster and makes an excellent lunch. Served on a Brioche bun with a tartar sauce slaw, it was moist and tender. I’d return for that anytime!
Tarpon Bay Seafood Restaurant
This highly-rated restaurant options all issues seafood. After a protracted day of conferences and a gala reception, I waddled over to the bar at this fabulous location on a small lake loaded with gators. After ordering a bullet, I scanned the menu.
For starters, I used to be informed that the lobster bisque garnished with paddlefish caviar is extremely popular. But as a substitute, I went with the Tarpon Bay’s home salad. Lightly dressed with a citrus French dressing, the backyard greens mixed properly with contemporary strawberries, toasted almonds and an area goat cheese. It was superb alternative!
Then I wandered to the “simply grilled seafood” part. They provide eight decisions — all served with Jasmine rice and asparagus. Even although the signature dishes are bacon-wrapped grouper and snapper diablo, I used to be in no mode for something fancy and chosen the black grouper. With a glass of a superb Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, this was an ideal ending to a protracted day. The grouper was flippantly coated with one thing that needed to embrace brown sugar. The crust was properly caramelized and created a slight crunch with each chunk — so yummy!
The subsequent evening I returned for the market particular, tri-tail. This relative to snapper was additionally completed to perfection.
Heading North
Going north on the Tamiami Trail, I meandered by Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte after which turned-off at Englewood.
Years in the past, my brother Lowell, who based Shaum Electric in Elkhart again in 1945, bought a small fisherman’s shack on the Intercoastal Waterway in Englewood. Hearing that his two sons (my nephews) had been there, I made a decision to drop-in. Unfortunately, the street resulting in North Comfort Point Road was closed. After wandering round looking for a approach across the blockade, I made up my mind that I ought to get to my closing vacation spot.
Sarasota
My quest was to have lunch at a waterfront restaurant near Sarasota’s airport. I selected Marina Jack’s on the bay. The yachts parked at this marina are humungous — far bigger than my home!
This spectacular spot has a proper eating room on the second ground and two bars on the principle ground. I perched on the important bar, quaffed a chilly one whereas slurping on a luscious seafood chowder. It was very creamy and loaded with shrimp, crab meat and fish — so great!
I concluded my journey on the Tamiami Trail on the airport. After surviving so many luscious areas on this journey, it’s now again to actuality!
Loren Shaum is an automation engineering guide, retired pilot, creator, dwelling gardener and generally chef. He and Gayle reside in Syracuse. He will be contacted at [email protected].