The sun might be hot, but the pavement is damn near sweltering at the southernmost tip of the Pinellas trail. Here, practically in the shadow of the Sunshine Skyway, skaters can enjoy a winding path fringed with palmettos, live oaks, and strangler figs in all stages of growth. Lizards, egrets, herons and comical — occasionally suicidal — ibis flit about the path. Signs sprinkled along the path hold interesting ecological tidbits for the savvy skater who doesn't whiz by too quickly to catch them. And once the wilderness splendor gets old, you can always turn your eyes to another of nature's most marvelous creations — the scantily clad human.
Though most of the specimens I found during my expedition were still working off their winter pale (not to mention their hibernation fat) I'm sure that by the peak of summer these ardent exercisers will be in swell swimsuit condition. And there's nothing like the sight of a well-toned gluteus maximus skating along just ahead of you in the summer sun. In the name of research, I even tried out a few of the bird calls recommended at the park's nature center. (Note to self: "Hey baby, wanna strangle my fig?" is ineffectual as a mating call.)
When the heat begins to melt your plastic buckles, cool off with a quick tour through the now-empty, but still chilly powder magazines inside the turn-of-the-century fort (aha! The name does mean something) or, better yet, kick off your wheels and head for the beach, which is never more than a few yards south of the trail. Once your tootsies have rested in the cool Gulf waters, I'm sure they'll be willing to hit the road once more. Refreshments are available at several different locations around the park, and there are even special playgrounds for your pooch. Make your skate a family affair — as long as it doesn't cramp your style.
Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway, St. Petersburg. Open seven days a week during daylight hours.
This article appears in May 14-20, 2003.