I’m now at Oscar Scherer State Park near Venice, FL

Very Wooded Campsite #72

 As I mentioned in my last blog this park was not scheduled to reopen until the day after the first day of my two week reservation.

So I needed to find a place to stay for one night. I drove to Bradenton, FL on Friday afternoon and found another great spot to camp at a Lowes store after doing my weekly grocery shopping. It was a level spot with good free Wi-Fi.

The usual check-in time at FL State Parks is 3 PM, but since they have been closed I figured I would try to check in at 10AM. No problem, the place was empty. I’m not sure what is going on but even though 12 months ago the campground was fully reserved, there are at least 10 empty sites here every night No one has stayed more than 2 nights on the site next to me.  

Sarasota Bayfront Park

There are a few good reasons to choose this campground. Most campers have bikes to ride the 30 mile long Legacy Trail a wide asphalt trail that goes between Sarasota to south of Venice.

Venetian Waterway to Shamrock Park

This week I biked 100 miles on four rides; south to Shamrock Park, North to Sarasota Bayfront Park, into the beautiful neighborhoods of Venice and their beaches and along Casey Key, a barrier island, which is near the campground. 

Nokomis Beach near Casey Key

There was a lot of storm damage along the Key. Some homes on the north end were totally flattened but Nokomis Beach on the south end was crowded with beach lovers.

I tried to get to Caspersen Beach south of Venice but the road south of the small airport was totally closed. I’ll try to see if I can get there from the south next week by going along Venetian Waterway.

I have never tried kayaking along South Creek which flows by the campsites. The jungle between the sites and the creek is almost impenetrable and the parks launch is across the creek which is too far unless you drive. The creek just flows out to the inland waterway and is too far from any access to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Here is where I rest after my bike rides

The weather has been great, starting out in the 60’s in the morning and reaching the mid-70’s by the time I finished my bike rides.

There is a chance for rain later today and again on Sunday, I’ll probably watch some football and rest up a little. I made reservation here for two weeks and need to leave on Saturday, 1/4/25 (Happy New Year).

My next stop for a week will be to visit my daughter Pam & Sam at the condo they bought this year in Cape Coral.