Hi Greg,
The South side of Tampa Bay is one nature preserve after another with a few Superfund sites in between. There are also lovely spots on the ICW inside of Anna Maria Island and on South. We find the whole area a study in contrasts between the high-rise monstrosities, cookie cutter sprawl and truly beautiful wild places with bits and pieces of old Florida thrown in for good measure. Some of our favorite spots are Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto, Ft. DeSoto State Park (near St. Pete) and Honeymoon Island State Park (near Dunedin) as well as the old fishing village of Cortez (near Bradenton out towards Anna Maria Island). Interesting part of the world.
Mary Lou