Last week I experienced the death of a person very near and dear to me. While most days were spent with loved ones, in the morning before connecting with the family, I needed to get out in the fresh air.
Sunday morning, on my way to Spring Hill, I took a detour and headed to Fort Island Beach in Crystal River. It's our one teeny tiny Gulf beach. I'm used to big long stretches of beach, whether on the Atlantic or on the Gulf of Mexico. But walking through the surf is my happy place so off to the beach I went.
You need to understand that Citrus County is part of Florida's Nature Coast. Our shore is basically a bunch of mangroves, inlets and winding rivers. Fort Island Beach is manmade. And did I say that it is very small? I walked from one end of the shore to the other and back - and then back again - and hadn't even covered 3/4 of a mile. That's okay, though. It really felt great to have my toes in the sand - and in the warm water of the Gulf.
The drive to the beach from Hwy 19 is pretty enough. You get the sense that you're driving towards the Gulf very early on. The beach is small and perfect for small children during the day. There are clean bathrooms and picnic tables. In the evening, the beach is perfect for romantics and those who love witnessing the glory of a beautiful sunset.
Just a short walk from the beach is a fishing pier. Another great place to watch the sunset. During the day, you might just be lucky enough to see dolphins frolicking from the pier.
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| There's one concession truck that sells everything you might need for a day at the beach. They have snacks, too. |
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| Perfect for small children, the water is very shallow and very gradually gets deeper. No big drop off. |
