Image courtesy of shutterjet at Flickr.com
We’ll start on Bokeelia Island, one of the five communities of Pine Island, none of which is incorporated. It has a population of about 2,000 people whose average age is 52 years, indicating that residents are mostly retirees. To begin, we should be on the northwestern tip of the island, at the end of Main Street and Marie street, on a stretch of land which will move eastward from the first of six piers that go deep at sea on the northern coast. Soon, we’ll see the asphalt as elevated houses appear on large pillars, several meters from the ground. This whole line of beaches and wooden platforms that serve as jetties is private. The pavement is at the same level and close to the water. In the distance, we will see some buildings and hotels in the distant mainland shore. In addition, the marine mass bathing tangled web of cays and islets is Charlotte Bay. On the other side, to the west is Charlotte County as on our right, the road heads south and is renamed as Stringfellow Road.
Overall, Pine Island is the largest island in the state of Florida, measuring about two miles wide by 16 long. It is located west of Cape Coral, from where it is accessed through Matlacha, across the sea and coastal crossings that are the Matlacha Pass nature reserves, established in 1908 and Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve, which was designated in 1970. Both environments flanking the archipelago to the east and west respectively provide shelter to endangered species such as manatees of the Caribbean, American crocodiles, Eastern Indigo snakes, Wood Storks and bald eagles, the American symbol par excellence. Dolphins are also abundant in these waters as well as a variety of fish. As for the flora, we find red, black and white mangroves; sea grapes, used in the West Indies for making desserts and jams, the interesting Gumbo Limbo or Ficus Aurea, to name a few.
Useppa Island is located to the west. Peace is breathed in these villages of the Olde Florida, where the main activity is fishing. Today, it is still in a purely rural environment, abundant coconut plantations, ornamental palms and natural areas of pine groves, truly honoring the name of the island. There isn’t a single traffic light, demonstrating once again that we are in a splendid and rare oasis.
Along the main road of Pine Island, there are few spaces of land, and there are no posters announcing the sale of these parcels. As throughout the region, there are deserted neighborhoods where only the streets, the surrounding wall and the entrance gate were built; inside, there is nothing, only vegetation and artificial lakes.
Overall, Pine Island is the largest island in the state of Florida, measuring about two miles wide by 16 long. It is located west of Cape Coral, from where it is accessed through Matlacha, across the sea and coastal crossings that are the Matlacha Pass nature reserves, established in 1908 and Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve, which was designated in 1970. Both environments flanking the archipelago to the east and west respectively provide shelter to endangered species such as manatees of the Caribbean, American crocodiles, Eastern Indigo snakes, Wood Storks and bald eagles, the American symbol par excellence. Dolphins are also abundant in these waters as well as a variety of fish. As for the flora, we find red, black and white mangroves; sea grapes, used in the West Indies for making desserts and jams, the interesting Gumbo Limbo or Ficus Aurea, to name a few.
Useppa Island is located to the west. Peace is breathed in these villages of the Olde Florida, where the main activity is fishing. Today, it is still in a purely rural environment, abundant coconut plantations, ornamental palms and natural areas of pine groves, truly honoring the name of the island. There isn’t a single traffic light, demonstrating once again that we are in a splendid and rare oasis.
Along the main road of Pine Island, there are few spaces of land, and there are no posters announcing the sale of these parcels. As throughout the region, there are deserted neighborhoods where only the streets, the surrounding wall and the entrance gate were built; inside, there is nothing, only vegetation and artificial lakes.
Image courtesy of Florida Sea Grant at Flickr.com
Returning to our journey by bicycle, the Stringfellow Rd / CR 767 continues south through Pineland, a small settlement adjacent to Bokeelia, where 450 people live. This place, of just one square mile, is built on a mound made by the Calusa Indians. For this reason, research and archaeological excavations at the site are being conducted and human remains of up to 14,000 years old have already been found. If we move forward, the scenery doesn’t change much, with nature and palm trees everywhere. Meanwhile, vermin such as armadillos, huge rodents, birds and reptiles move freely before our eyes. Another detail is the striking decor of electric poles with drawings and allegories to the environment. Right in the middle of the island we’ll get to Pine Island Center, with about 1,700 residents. East lies the only road that connects the place with the mainland through Matlacha.
Image courtesy of Janet Beasley at Flickr.com
Then we cross the Little Pine Island Wildlife Refuge, dedicated to environmental conservation and wildlife, which is being restored in order to return the environment to its original state, essentially eliminating an endemic of invasive plants throughout the Sunshine State. Then we will see some streets and houses scattered among innumerable “For Sale” signs announcing the sale of large wastelands. We’ll pass briefly by an inhabited place called Flamingo Bay, then arrive to the next and last community we’ll see. It is Saint James City, covering the southern third of the island and harboring some 4,100 inhabitants. There are also some taverns, marinas, shops and restaurants, with large houses with sea access, so the movement of pleasure craft is impressive.
Exactly one mile from the end of the island the road forks in two ways. The first one goes southwest by the Sanibel Blvd, however, we will continue south on the extension of the Stringfellow Road that here begins to be called Oleander Street and is flanked by two canals of the extensive network. The streets go from the 8th to the 1st, after which we’ll reach the sea again, where we will see in the distance the wonderful set Sanibel and Captiva Island. At this point we will have covered the first half of the route and therefore we must go back on the same path to Bokeelia to finish our journey. This route is very safe for cycling as there is a segregated, very well marked path for traffic that goes from north to south of the island.
Exactly one mile from the end of the island the road forks in two ways. The first one goes southwest by the Sanibel Blvd, however, we will continue south on the extension of the Stringfellow Road that here begins to be called Oleander Street and is flanked by two canals of the extensive network. The streets go from the 8th to the 1st, after which we’ll reach the sea again, where we will see in the distance the wonderful set Sanibel and Captiva Island. At this point we will have covered the first half of the route and therefore we must go back on the same path to Bokeelia to finish our journey. This route is very safe for cycling as there is a segregated, very well marked path for traffic that goes from north to south of the island.