Boca Grande

While we were visiting Florida throughout my childhood, we would always drive over to Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, about half an hour from my grandparents' house. My grandfather used to go fishing there before it was very developed. As time went on and the community became more gated and exclusive, he became less interested. Crossing the bridge to the island eventually required a fee, and he would decline to accompany us, saying, "Why would I pay $5 to go hang out near those richies?!"

We used to swim there as little kids, collecting shells and digging holes, and the beach was often deserted. We were taught to shuffle our feet in case of sting rays. Once or twice we saw manatees. Over time though, it became clear that swimming was ill-advised due to frequent rip tides and dangerous wild life (including sharks).

Since I was a teenager, the ritual visit has instead involved a number of pitstops. First up is typically the beach for a walk around the state park and taking photos of the familiar landmarks, which include the old supports for a former dock (frequented by gulls and pelicans) and a squat lighthouse. Then on to The Loose Caboose for lunch and some ice cream, followed by a walk around the shops. We might also stop by a fountain or the famous Banyan Street, lined with iconic jungle-like trees. A visit in 2017 after hurricanes Irma and Maria revealed a storm-torn boardwalk. In our most recent visit in 2022, we noticed that the beach had been restricted to accommodate new private property, shrinking the state park perimeter.

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