Trip Ideas

Want to go see some HUGE prehistoric dinosours - the Florida Gator! Kayak in the mangrove maze looking for the Pterodactyl like giant White Pelicans that come down in the winter from the Tetons & Great Salt Lake Utah to see some Florida tourists kayaking? Maybe you would like to go find the rare Florida Manatee - or a Florida Panther! Trap Blue crabs - Go swim in the natural Florida Spring, collect seashells and other beach finds on the spoil islands where the best beach treasures are found. Do you enjoy looking at all the beautiful Florida birds and taking pictures? Want to explore the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs - and stop in for lunch at Rusty Bellies  or Hellas Greek Bakery? Did you hear about those Gatorfrogs? Dolphins - sure ... I can't guarantee we find them - but I do know the best places to look for the feeding frenzy mullet schooling action. So you want to go snorkeling? Have I got a place for you kids! Rainbow Spring...

Manatees!
Help Us Help Them Promotion for CMA.

Kayak with the Manatees. Local trips - observation only. $300 - 1/2 day 4-5 hours  Full day Swim & Kayak with the Manatees $450. Up to six persons.

​

A small portion of your fee will go to Clearwater Marine Aquariums new Manatee Rescue Exibit and work. Ask about a bonus free side trip to TECO Power Plant Manatee Viewing Center available on Frog Creek - Terra Ceia Preserve, Little Manatee River - and Hunt for Blue Crab Trips over the Sunshine Skyway.

Gator Frog Hunt

Oh no kids! Did you hear about these Gator Frogs that escaped the mad genetic scientist lab? Thjere is concern they could grow to be the size of a big gator ! Can you imagine a 14 foot frog? That is why there is a reward offered. So you kids keep your eyes peeled - and if you spot one....I have my net. We can capture it and split the reward money. Then we will be dancing like Tennessee frogs!

Peace River Dinos Fossil Hunting trip. The Peace River where we go is 1.5 hours drive. So full day only ... Mom is going to pack a picnic or we can stop at Publix to pick up subs and Jello Pudding. I always supply cold drinks. We launch at my secret spot and then travel by kayak to where prehistoric dinosaurs bones have been found - yet some are sure to remain. Often Megladon and other shark teeth have been found here.

Fossils & Shark Teeth Hunt on Peace River

Joogsquad friends Jack & Merrick know where to go...do you not think "for the kids" I don't know? Never any guarantees kids - but we usually get lucky. No - I am not going to betray my buddies trust and disclose a few different locations good to look where we will be kayaking and sifting sand along the way looking for shark teeth! Here is some info on the

​

Peace River Shark Teeth Hunting Kayak Expedition.

Beach Treasures

Just look at this list:

https://www.anyplaceamerica.com/directory/fl/pinellas-county-12103/islands/     

​

Decisions Decisions Decisions...

it does not matter where we go locally the price is still the same. Up to 6 persons. $300, for 1/2 day. 4-5 hours or Full Day  6 to 8 hours $425 - $450 the price is still the same. 3 people = $100 each - 6 people $50. so the more the merrier. Limit 6 After kayaking to our destination of a targeted island we will spend some toime beachcombing for shells and other treasures. Maybe have a picnic lunch on the beach. Its your vacation - your day - you tell me what you would like. Sure you can snorkel too.

Islands of Adventure

Frog Creek

Yep! Frog Creek is where those Gator Frogs escaped. Located 5 minutes over the Sunshine Skyway - getting there is only 1/2 the fun. This brings us to Manatee county. Why do you think it is called Manatee County? The TECO Power plant Manatee Viewing Center is not much further away next door in Ruskin, Fl - yes like the Tomato. They grow hundreds and thousands if not millions of Tomatos there. Rather then me tell you about Frog Creek here is Bonnies article & opinion.

Frog Creek flows into the Terra Ceia Preserve - a big mangrove maze with mangrove tunnels. The mucky mangrove bottom is the perfect home for Blue Crabs. The kids can learn how to catch one as I will demonstrate using only a piece of string and an old chicken bone. Did I mention there is a rope swing here too? No lines or waiting your turn here. If you dont know KC is the master on the rope swing - he can teach you.

Video courtesy Frog Creek Kayaking. Mrs. Debbie allows us to launch from her RV Campground kids because we always leave it cleaner then we found it. Picking up any trash we see along our kayaking adventure here.

Clyde Butcher

Black & White Photography

Who is this guy? It is my photography friend Clyde Butcher. I met him because we both were searching for the perfect photo in Myakka River State Park. That is how this works ... like minded people - meet in like minded spaces. This is not a destination... but learning about painting with light. No digital cameras here - this trip includes use of my vintage Kodak camera with film. No color. Light and shadow, learn to take really good pictures. The old fashioned way. The hard part is finding the perfect shot, lets explore and see what we can capture in the lens. Afterwards, we will end up with a really nice B&W photo from our kayak adventure of the landscape. Plus who knows, we might run into Mr. Butcher again. I also know where his studio is in Venice, Fl.  Mr. Butchers health has been sketchy of late so he only shows up randomly when he feels good.

For the Birds

Our kayak adventure may begin with an emergency trip to the Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores as it is on the way, and there is a report of a Commorant hung up in some fishing line in the mangroves we are headed to. We have to pick up our Junior Rescue T shirts for the children and grab a rescue cage. Hopefully, the Commorant will free itself, but we are going to keep a sharp eye for it. How many other birds will we discover today? Sometimes we do find a injured or sick bird - So we will bring it here.

Secret Beach

Few Tourists will ever find their way here. Locals call it the Secret Beach - and yes some of my neighbors are upset I share this place. We kayak up a shallow bay into a small lagoon where we park the kayaks & experience the most beautiful beach you ever seen. Lots of good shelling here! Full day trips allow us to also explore the Mangrove tunnels and a hike on Caladesi island. Departs from midway Clearwater Beach Just 5 minutes or less from your Clearwater Beach Hotel. 1/2 day local trip. No travel time here - 4.3 miles round trip kayaking - about 3 or 4 hours kayaking plus beach time!