Sand Key

Sand Key Park, and more importantly, public beach is a little jewel tucked in between Clearwater Beach’s high rises and Clearwater Pass that opened to the public in 1984. It is located just south of Clearwater Beach and this weekend it didn't seem like many people know about it although it became more crowded as the day went on. The parking is close to the beach with electronic stations rather than meters at each space, very helpful when planning a fun filled day with grandchildren, their parents, friends, and a daughter with a debit/credit card.

This beautiful park has two distinct areas—a beach and a park. In the park proper (which we will have to check out next time) are two picnic shelters with grills, a playground, restroom and a dog park. Grills, picnic tables, and water fountains are but a few amenities but we spent the whole day at the beach enjoying the waves (smallish swells mostly) and sand. While boogie boarding, spilling each other out of various inflatables, and playing a couple of friendly games of chicken (I think that’s what you call it when people climb on each other’s shoulders and try to dunk their opponents) we saw dolphins and got a bit toasted despite several slatherings of sunscreen. We found hermit crabs and dug up coquinas. We made friends with other beach going families and ate slightly sandy chips and sandwiches. We brought chilled drinking water but my favorite refresher was the popsicles, pop ices that you squeeze out of the plastic wrappers.

That’s what ‘the last day of summer’ stuff is all about, enjoying forgetting about time with family on a perfect day at the beach, this time at Sand Key, Fl.