I/we would like to go to I/we would like to go to Honeymoon/Caladesi State Parks with the BBC on February 20th.  Enclosed is my $28.00 check (pp). 

Print your name(s):   ____________________________________________________________________________________________

I/we wish to be on the bus with these friends (name up to four) ________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

I/we still have a credit with the BBC and I would like to use that credit. ________

I/we live in the Village of ________________________________

I/we will be fully vaccinated by February 6th _______________

During the trip, I can be reached at this phone number: ______________

I/we would like to take the ferry to Caladesi  Island and have added $16 per person to our check:          _________________

I/we plan to kayak during this trip ____________________________

I/we plan to go bicycling during this trip ______________________

I/we plan to go fishing during this trip _____________________at ______________________(location)

I/we will likely eat lunch at:

South Beach Pavilion Café on Honeymoon Island: ___________

Café Honeymoon on HMI:______________________

Café Caladesi on Caladesi: ____________________

I/we will likely eat dinner at:

            The Crown & Bull_________________________

            Clear Sky Draught House _____________________

            HopScotch Café _____________________________

            Cafe Alfresco _____________________

            Lucky Lobster ________________________________

Policy & Procedure updates for the BBC

Before we tantalize you with the trip details for our February 20th outing, we need to bring a new policy and revised procedure to your attention.  It is shown on our website, bbc32162.com, ‘club policies’, and then ‘other policies’ - # 4 and for your convenience, shown below. 

4)  Beach trips can involve walking from a large parking lot or navigating a distance on a sandy beach.  While we make every effort to minimize the distances involved, if you need assistance navigating the beach, managing your beach gear, or use an assistive device (cane, walker, wheelchair), you must bring along a companion on the trip who will provide that assistance to you.  The Club and its members cannot provide that level of assistance on a beach trip. The companion must be identified on your trip reservation form and the appropriate trip fee paid.

We feel that this policy will protect our members from becoming an unwitting personal assistant for the day.  While many of us are willing to offer assistance, a member should not embark on a beach trip unless they are able to do so without assistance.

The procedure update is not stated in our club policies, but it is the procedure that will be used on all trips by Bus Leaders or members of the BBC Board should a medical issue arise.  If the medical issue is anything other than a small cut, laceration or something similar, either the Bus Leader or Board member will call for Emergency Assistance, so that a medical professional can evaluate the urgency of the situation.  This will be done even if the member suffering the issue does not want an evaluation done.  Once the EMTs have made an evaluation and recommendation, it is then entirely up to the member whether or not to comply with the EMT’s recommendation.  While some of our Board members and Bus Leaders are trained in CPR, we do not have sufficient medical knowledge to assess what care a member may need. 

Scharrer Homestead Ruins

BBC Revised Liability Waiver June 2016.pdf

Given that there are so many activities available to us on these islands, we will spend the bulk of our day there, leaving for dinner in Dunedin later in the afternoon.  Because our travel date is a Federal holiday (again!), your reservation form will ask you to make your likely choices for island, activities and restaurants so that we can give everyone an approximate count and not run into any shortages.  Details on restaurant options on both islands for lunch and Dunedin for dinner are listed below.  We’ve also listed some shopping and a museum suggestions in Dunedin for you.

Myrtle was a tomboy and, in addition to her many domestic tasks, she assisted her father with fishing, the livestock and crops. Most of Myrtle’s life, she attended school on the island. Myrtle married Herman Betz in 1915 and moved away.  Myrtle soon realized how much she missed the island. She returned and witnessed the Hurricane of 1921. That hurricane carved Hog Island into Caladesi Island (on the south) and Honeymoon Island (on the north), where the sand is as soft as powder and the water glows turquoise when the sun shines.

Early Pinellas histories emerged from the writings of those who were present for the dramatic change of the peninsula. Myrtle’s writings focus was on the environmental aspects of coastal living in the days before tourism.  She was diligent in efforts to track and band birds on the island between 1918-1935. Prior to her passing in January 1992,  Betz became an advocate for preserving Caladesi and undeveloped areas of Honeymoon Island. Myrtle’s never-ending desire for defending her birthplace and its history preserved a landscape worthy of honor.
   Scharrer- Betz, Myrtle, 2007 enlarged edition: “Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise: The Story of Caladesi Island.”

Although the remains of the home is not easily accessible, the link below will take you to a few fascinating facts about Myrtle Betz’s home.  https://caladesimemories.com/about-yesteryear-i-lived-in-paradise/

To print a copy of this invitation and our planned arrival/departure times, click on the Blue Button. 

Caladesi though, offers a glimpse into the Florida of old, back when both islands were one stretch of land called “Hog Island”.  We’ve shared a bit of that history below, but believe you will want to experience it in person. 

Caladesi Island is one of America’s top beaches.  The beaches are pristine.  Kayaking is available so that you can enjoy the inland mangrove tunnels or you can kayak from Honeymoon to Caladesi.   In addition, Caladesi boasts fascinating nature island trails --  the Beach Loop or the Hammock Loop.  Another point of interest:  Scharrer Homestead.  Myrtle Scharrer-Betz was the only child born on the island.  To walk from the park to her home is 1.3 miles via Dunedin Pass. The walk takes about 25 minutes.  Fantastic history, but NOT easily accessible. 
 
One caution about Caladesi:  There is a full-service concession stand (hot food, cold food plus beer and wine, to name a few items).  BUT, the concession closes when they run out of food (since they only stock one day’s worth of provisions), so it is recommended to NOT venture over to the island after 2 pm if you are hungry.   No alcohol is allowed on the ferry.  Caladesi Island goers should remember to time their ferry return to meet the bus schedule.   The ferry returns to Honeymoon Island on the half-hour mark.  

Both islands offer a concession stand and cafe, along with umbrella & chair rentals and restrooms. The difficult part is deciding which island suits you best! 

We have negotiated a discounted fee for our members that want to experience Caladesi on this trip.  The round trip fare will be $16, payable with your reservation so we can reserve a ferry spot for you.  The 20-minute ferry ride leaves Honeymoon Island every hour, starting at 10 am.   We will arrive in time for members to catch the 11am ferry to Caladesi.  The beach is a 5-minute walk from the ferry dock on Caladesi.  For safety purposes, beach wagons and carts ARE NOT ALLOWED on the ferry.  The ferry returns to Honeymoon Island on the half-hour mark.   

Barefoot Beachcombers Club (‘BBC’ will also suffice)
333 Colony Blvd. #110
The Villages, FL 32162

You could instead hand your addressed envelope to a person at the counter at Safe Ship in Colony Plaza, saving you the stamp and ensure its timely arrival.

A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON - How it all began

Henry Scharrer, a native of Switzerland, ventured to America by sailing to the island in the early 1890’s.  He stayed for forty-four years. Henry married Catherine McNally in 1894 and had a daughter, they named Myrtle, after the wax myrtle trees that surrounded their remote home.
 
Henry had settled on Hog Island, (which was the name of Caladesi and Honeymoon Island)  and declared that he had found his dream home. He obtained citizenship, improved the land, carved a channel, and planted crops.

Liability Waiver:  The BBC has a revised Liability Waiver specific to our club.  Even if you have signed a liability release form in the past for our club, we are asking that you sign the revised one.  Please click on link below, print and sign, and give the form to your bus leader on this trip. 

Before you click on the waiver, one of these is good for your lifetime.  PLEASE do NOT submit these for every trip!!!

Double Your Pleasure and Double your Fun with TWO Islands in One Trip! 

Honeymoon and Caladesi 

Monday, Feb 20, 8:30am to 8:00pm

LUNCH OPTIONS ON HMI OR CALADESI:

South Beach Pavilion Cafe, (on HMI) www.romantichoneymoonisland.com

Cafe Honeymoon, (on HMI) www.romantichoneymoonisland.com

Cafe Caladesi, (on Caladesi Island) www.romantichoneymoonisland.com

DINNER OPTIONS ON DUNEDIN

Crown & Bull   319 Main St; All day eatery/martini bar, live music and a broad menu of small and large plates;  crownandbull.com

Clear Sky Draught House  680 Main St.;  Relaxed environment with craft beer options with pub grub. https://clearskydraughthaus.com/

Clear Sky Draught HouseRelaxed environment with craft beer options with pub grub. https://clearskydraughthaus.com/

HopScotch Cafe 1006 Broadway;  Wine, beer with creative sandwiches in an easygoing haunt with vintage accents and a terrace. hopscotchcafedunedin.com.

Lucky Lobster  941 Huntley Ave;  Casual seafood dishes & raw bar offered in contemporary surrounds with a sleek bar and covered patio. Menu: luckylobsterco.com

Shopping after dinner in Dunedin.  

The Spoiled Rotten Gift Shop: 200 Main St; spoiledrottendun.com

My Favorite Things:  330 Main 

The Great Giftsby: 200 Main St.  #105  .thegreatgiftsby.com

Celtic Shop of Dunedin: 354 Main St.  727-733-2200.celticshopdunedin.com

Our House:  475 Main St.

Attractions:  Penny Lane, Beatles Museum:  730 Broadway 2nd Floor, Stirling Commons.

pennylanebeatlesmuseum.com  A must see!!

To get in on the fun, print the reservation form by clicking on the green button above.  OnFebruary 6th, we will conduct our lottery and you will be notified shortly thereafter of your seat confirmation or waitlist status.  Mail or drop the reservation form,  along with your check (made out to the BBC) for $28.00 per person to:

2023 Beach Trips

 Copyright. Barefoot Beachcombers Club.  All rights reserved

Sometime during our stay on these islands, you will want to stop at the Rotary Centennial Nature Center on Honeymoon Island.  The RCNC is fully staffed with volunteers to guide us through the center and give helpful information about the island. The center has informative, educational movies to view, local artists’ exhibits, a shell collection, a gift shop, a nature trail, a back porch with rocking chairs to sit and view the St. Joseph Sound. This walk is approximately 7 minutes from the main beach.  

No matter which island you choose, you may want to rent beach gear once you arrive, rather than carting it with you.  PLEASE NOTE:  There are no lifeguards on either island.

Beach Chair/Umbrella Rentals:  Rent chairs and/or umbrellas at any of the cafes–The South Beach Pavillion, Cafe Honeymoon or Cafe Caladesi.  Rates are $30 for umbrella w/2 chairs; $15 for a single chair; $20 for umbrella only.   https://romantichoneymoonisland.com/

Hiking:  Osprey Trailhead is the beginning of a trail network covering the northern end of Honeymoon Island. The Osprey Trailhead is absolutely beautiful! Take a hike to see armadillos, bald eagles, tortoises, birds, frogs, lizards, crabs. The trail is easy to walk, partially shaded, and full of critters, including mosquitoes (bring bug spray). The trails have benches placed periodically to provide opportunities to rest and/or contemplate.  There is a private beach at the end of the trail.  It is an approximately 25 minute walk from the main beach area to get to the Trailhead.  Alternatively, it takes about 5 minutes to get to the trailhead by bike, although bikes are not recommended on the trail.  https://floridahikes.com/honeymoonisland

Kayaking:  Sail Honeymoon Inc. rents kayaks for those interested in kayaking to Caladesi Island.  Fees for single-person kayaks are $35/2 hours; for a 2-person kayak, $45/2 hours.https://www.sailhoneymoon.com/

Bicycling:  Wheel Fun Rentals, located on Honeymoon Island, offers pedal-powered fun for all of our beachcombers. They offer multi-passenger Surreys and beach cruisers. Take a bike ride to Osprey Trailhead. Trails are paved throughout the island. Helmets are recommended. It is a 5 minute walk from the main beach area to get to bike rentals.  Cost is $12/hour or $26/half day.  https://wheelfunrentals.com/fl/dunedin/honeymoon-island/

Fishing: The Dunedin Causeway has the best fishing. It is a 2 ½ mile long series of three bridges.  The  bridges offer small fishing areas on both sides of the road, plus park benches for anyone who desires to sightsee.  Fish that are being caught include: snook, trout, redfish, and pompano.  The causeway has a hard surface for bikers, walkers, sunbathers, and sightseers and a public restroom along with kayak rental.  The High and Dry Grill: 61 Causeway Blvd. with outdoor seating, food and cold beer. The Grill is the only place drinking is allowed on the causeway.  PLEASE NOTE:  If you choose to fish at the Dunedin Causeway, you’ll have to walk back to the beach, or spend the day on the Causeway.

Or……Fishing from your kayak:  Kayakers can launch directly from the Honeymoon Causeway beach.

Or….Fishing at Hurricane Pass, which offers surf and pass fishing.  You may catch flounder, snook, trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead, pompano, Spanish Mackerel, cobia, ladyfish and tarpon. All fishing must conform to regulations. A license is required as are steady feet because the area is known for rough currents. 

And........now for the February Trip:

Please join us for an exciting beach excursion to Honeymoon Island and Caladesi State Park Islands.  The two islands are among a chain of pristine barrier islands with soft white sugar sand beaches and palms that sparkle in the sun like a string of luxurious pearls.  Caladesi Island is one of the few untouched islands along the Gulf Coast.  It is only accessible by boat.  

Since it will still be a bit chilly for swimming (average water temperature is 63-70 degrees),  we chose this location because of the number of other beach and water activities you can enjoy.  Honeymoon Beach has plentiful shelling along its shores, enough that you might want to bring water shoes with you. There are also hiking trails on Honeymoon Island that are not terribly long or taxing.  They range from the ¼ mile Nature Center Loop to the 2.5 hour, 5 mile North Beach Trek.  Information about these trails is included in the attached brochure.    There is also fishing near the Dunedin Causeway. 

Photo Credit:  The Florida Explorer

 Copyright. Barefoot Beachcombers Club.  All rights reserved