Simmons Park has some great views across Tampa Bay. There are tables and shelters throughout offering places to sit in the breeze and watch the boats go by. There are numerous coves and mangroves as well. Along the edge there are breaks in the trees to get down next to the water and look for fiddler crabs, horseshoe crabs, or fish. Beware of sharp oysters! Every time I go exploring, I see something interesting. There are osprey nests there. I even saw raccoons once. Another time I was able to get close to some pelicans. Another time I saw dolphins! Of course, sometimes I don’t go exploring because it is also a great place to pull my folding chair out of the trunk onto the grass and read (or write) a book. Simmons Park has a boat ramp, RV parking, two campgrounds, two playgrounds, and a small beach. Shelters can be reserved for large parties. Many people go there to fish or catch snails. It seems there is something there for everybody. 2401 19th Ave NW, Ruskin, Florida Visit Website Written by Daniel Noe, WayOutLife.com
The Dog House is the place in Ruskin for everything barbeque. Seating is outdoors at covered picnic tables surrounded by tiki statues. Everything is smoked on the premises and their pork always has the perfect ratio of smoke to meat. You can really taste the smoke. They certainly have the instinct to understand what makes good pork. The sandwiches are the best. The pulled pork sandwiches and boneless rib sandwiches are local favorites. I like the southwest burger, which comes with onions, bacon, barbeque sauce, and southwest seasoning worked into the meat. It was amazing. They also have a variety of beef hot dogs, other burgers, chili, macaroni and cheese, tacos, seafood, and ice cream. Why would you ever go anywhere else? After eating all that, how would you go anywhere else? It’s easy to get full there. Website 106 N US-41, Ruskin, Florida Written by Daniel Noe, WayOutLife.com
I often visit the Camp Bayou Nature Preserve Park in Ruskin, Florida to walk the trails in hope of seeing some snakes or unusual insects, but this time I went when the fossil exhibits were open (Saturday 9-2). Florida has very few fossils from earlier than the Pleistocene, when there were giant pigs and Megalodon sharks, so the Velociraptor skull they have had to be brought in from elsewhere. Everywhere there are bits and pieces that used to be inside alligators, crocodiles, horses, llamas, and mammoths. On the floor was a mammoth tusk that probably weighs more than I do. There are original bones, mineralized bones, and resin casts. There are also many mollusks and echinoderms represented, as well as agatized coral, Florida’s official state fossil and stone. It was sad to hear that the places where most of these items came from were closed years ago and no longer looking for volunteers. It was fun, interesting, and informative. The park has many trails, a butterfly garden, and an outdoor Seminole village exhibit. It has a miniature, outdoor, self-service library. In past visits, I have seen snakes, turtles, armadillos, and very many birds. This time, I just took a quick walk. The palmetto around rustles very loudly with the slightest movement. What I thought was a prehistoric pig crashing through the undergrowth turned out to just be a squirrel. I also saw an osprey in a tree and we stared at each other until I got bored. There is always something to see there. Written by Daniel Noe, ChampionOfTheGalaxy.com
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