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Update from TCN:
UPDATE ON THE PARKING AREA CONSTRUCTION

We received an update from St Lucie County Parks & Recreation today. Although the contractor has been granted a few extra days due to weather, the park is still slated to be reopened sometime in November!

They explained that the standing water is not a concern. That section of the lot doesn't have base rock or subgrade yet, so the water is not reaching the curb.

The utility stub outs for the restroom are already installed. The building is prefabricated, so will go in quickly once it's delivered.

We've been asked to please alert our members not to cross the “Park Closed” and “Construction Zone” signs that have been placed there.

We will update you again in a few weeks. We're almost there (hopefully)!


King Tides, Supermoon, and Storms

It's that time of year again when high king tides erode the beaches. Add a supermoon and storms in the Atlantic and we've got quite a mess on our hands. Things are very wet and muddy on Hutchinson Island and there is a lot of debris washing up. We've always been the ones who keep our beach clean. You can help by bringing a bag and picking up debris whenever you are on the beach. Please do not leave your bag of trash on the beach; please take it home or put it in a county receptacle. Thanks to everyone who helps keep our beach clean!

REMINDER - NO NUDITY AT LITTLE MUD BEACH

I heard rumors that the parking may be open earlier than December e.g. mid-Nov. Hope so.

http://bobsbarricades.com/

I see Bobs Barricades got the Job for Blind Creek.

In Asia, they would have completed 15 beach parking lots in this timeframe. I guess by waiting this long to pave everyone could say it survived one hurricane season.

It looks fancy. I dont see any big shower house or restrooms from this view.

I cant wait to see if the vibes changes with striped parking lots versus the wild west grass lots. Will we be allowed to park on A1A like we have for years when the lot fills up? I doubt it, govt never takes down a no parking sign.

Here is a photo of the entrance from last Monday, 10/6. Not an expert but looks like the gravel base is down prior to paving! X=crossed fingers.

Hi Carol and Geoff
I know Barbados well. What type of resort or hotel are you looking for? Kids allowed or not allowed? No meals, breakfast, or all-inclusive? How much are you trying to spend per night? When you say December, do you mean all of December or part?
The sun is not the same anymore. It burns differently and feels hotter, so I do understand what you mean.

U r welcome! Not too difficult when you've done it a time or 2. Use full editor and, where you want the URL inserted, click on the icon of the world with a chain. Past the URL on the first box that pops up and the name of the link in the second.

Thank you Chuck. I didn't know how to do that.

TCN & BLIND CREEK BEACH HAPPENINGS

No Nudity at Little Mud Beach

As we reported a couple of weeks ago, the Sheriff's Department called and gave us warning that they are going to start enforcing the no nudity policy at Little Mud beach. They've advised us that beachgoers need to walk south to the designated clothing-optional section. For those who asked exactly where that is, it's about 3/4 mile south of the Little Mud trailhead.

We don't know what caused the recent crackdown by the Sheriff's Department, but this is where we find ourselves today. We don't want to see anyone get arrested or cited; and we don't want to ruin the good relationship we've always had with County officials. The nudists are currently being perceived as a nuisance, and this kind of negative attention is not good for our cause.

We are asking you, please, to take this request seriously. Please do not go nude outside of the designated clothing-optional area. If we ever have hope of asking for an expansion of the clothing-optional area in the future, we need to restore and maintain our good standing with the County.

On the bright side, we've been told the parking lot construction should be completed sometime in November! We will keep you updated when we have more information.

This link may work too/better?:
Link

Tampa Bay Free beaches is close to getting a clothing optional beach on Florida's west coast. Currently there are none. We need help with a letter writing campaign to the Pinellas County commissioners. You DO NOT need to be a Florida resident as we are trying to show that people from all over would come to visit. Below is more information and the contact info for the commissioners. You can visit our Facebook page and or website www.tamapbayfreebeaches.com
Thank you very much .


IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION


Dear Member, Friend or Ally,

Now is the time to show your support for Tampa Bay Free Beaches by emailing or writing to the Pinellas County Commissioners to show you stand behind TBFB and their mission to create a family-friendly, family-centric safe and legal clothing optional recreational opportunity at East Beach at Ft. De Soto County Park.

They may soon be making their critical vote on the matter which will determine if Tampa Bay Free Beaches’ hard work comes to fruition. It is imperative we flood their offices with as many favorable letters of support as possible. Be they from political constituents, Pinellas County residents, other Florida residents, out of state tourists or even international visitors who would like to visit our area.

Below you will find contact information for all seven of the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners. Use whichever communication mechanism (email, postal, or link directly to their communication portal), you are most comfortable with, but we ask you to contact all Commissioners, if you can, to express your support for TBFB and their mission.

You will also find attached suggested letters of support, in both short and longer format, addressing areas of critical concern and reinforcing positive benefits for the creation of a clothing-optional beach in Pinellas County. Please use these as the basis to create your own individualized letters of support to the County Commissioners.

Send your letters of support to the Commissioners

No later than October 31st, 2025!!

The following link provides access to contact all members of the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners.

TBFB Letter Writing Package

https://cdn.wildapricot.com/443641/resources/Documents/TBFB%20Letter%20Writing%20Campaign%20Package_Generic-rev1.pdf?version=1759064741000&Policy=eyJTdGF0ZW1lbnQiOiBbeyJSZXNvdXJjZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY2RuLndpbGRhcHJpY290LmNvbS80NDM2NDEvcmVzb3VyY2VzL0RvY3VtZW50cy9UQkZCJTIwTGV0dGVyJTIwV3JpdGluZyUyMENhbXBhaWduJTIwUGFja2FnZV9HZW5lcmljLXJldjEucGRmP3ZlcnNpb249MTc1OTA2NDc0MTAwMCIsIkNvbmRpdGlvbiI6eyJEYXRlTGVzc1RoYW4iOnsiQVdTOkVwb2NoVGltZSI6MTc1OTI0NzE1Mn0sIklwQWRkcmVzcyI6eyJBV1M6U291cmNlSXAiOiIwLjAuMC4wLzAifX19XX0_&Signature=DU2nL3IhhvAhcCxfFoBe7Tj1f7DNVFnDuTMhL51U~5Pqsc8N5A4bHUX0mgzSEahAH0uLqysVl6Xj7sK~VCJTjtNCB0nppQuQ~tJLLx~RHkk3VgQYJ2IFtKjWiBBXtK041-aFOnb2z4fK1JrEaOs7MoftNd9h-jg31YEG5n2RO8glZOFQ9vo16fdMTDliEWWVs2FiWQhkGGlstCC-X7Riyr5CNYl4PrKBpVT5BlBLADIi4ocG5PZaf3FKNhLFTZWjk-YlXjE0K66cF8ik5E2lfPGZ4W6QzeM3nsI4BmDa8qMoO5NbjFPaRJroj0JlLhdTssCJS6UnmOIW557trsl0sA__&Key-Pair-Id=K27MGQSHTHAGGF

Start sending your letters of support TODAY! TBFB needs you and now is the time you can show you support Tampa Bay Free Beaches!



FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS FAR AND WIDE

If you would like to do an excursion, try https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com or Viator.com We have used them in the past and were very pleased. Try a catamaran tour with stops to snorkel, a beach break, and lunch, all included.

Perhaps Sheriff Del Toro and his deputies could help build the parking lot and bathrooms twice a day.

Cruising the ABC islands in January 2026 and am interested in Aruba but don"t want to do the excursions offered by Celebrity. Would like the most beautiful beach on the island and a place for lunch. Also is there a place for shopping worth going to? Loved SXM for the jewelry stores and shops of all kinds. Advice welcome!

We have been there many times (8, I think). The last rip was the year before the storm. Most trips have been in January though the last time was in early June. There was no material evidence of sargassum in the anchorages though there were a number of patches of it offshore that we tried to dodge when motoring and had no problems.

From St. Vincent, the only options are Barefoot Yachts, and Horizon, Typically the boats available are several years old though Barefoot has been bringing in some new boats periodically and they show a Leopard 50 on their web site. Both are relatively small operations (as compared to the BVI) with about 10 boats each.

We have used Barefoot 6 times and Sunsail for 2 trips as they used to have a base there. Barefoot does a good job.

I have no information regarding Mayreau though I imagine the Righteous and Dennis are back in business. I suggest you talk with the charter company of look at other web sites for current informatio.

Always west side Pt Eliz. We stayed an extra day after the long haul from St Lucia. Good restaurants, shopping, site seeing. Sea turtles farm cab ride was worth it too.

Can anyone bring me up to date on sailing in the Grenadines?

Best charter company in St. Vincent?
Availability of newer 45-50 ft cats?
Have the small islands such as Mayreau recovered from the last hurricane?
Is Happy Island still there?
Is sargassum a problem? Etc.

THANKS!

Thanks for the Blind Creek updates. My wife and I have only been there one time so far, and looking forward to additional visits.

OK thanks Carol/Eric, should have remembered that! A suggestion that would help forgetful folks like me, can you put the attachment link at the top of the box like the others?

Here is an advisory from TCN:

SHERIFF ACTIVITY AT THE BEACH

The patrol captain from the St Lucie County Sheriff's office called us today. She said there have been several complaints about nudity at Little Mud. The deputies have now been instructed by Sheriff Del Toro to go out onto the beach twice a day and tell people they need to move. If the situation persists, they will be taking stronger action which could include citations. The captain was unable to tell me what "stronger action" would look like, but the Sheriff is consulting with the County Attorney to see what action can be taken. The captain's call to us was a courtesy heads-up message. She asked that we spread this to our beachgoers so that we can avoid things getting ugly.



PLEASE HEED THIS WARNING!



On the positive side, we were told by Parks & Recreation that the parking area may be opening as early as November. Let's hope that's the case!

Hi. You can upload pictures directly to your post. Just click on USE FULL EDITOR. Then below the post box, click on ATTACHMENT MANAGER and upload your photos.

I've been on TTOL and still don't know any easier way of posting pics other than uploading somewhere and creating links, etc. Laborious. Am I missing it?

[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sXafEqMpYZL2GuKHCiVl5KTabDJiphbn/view?usp=sharing[/img]
[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BAAniEyE0rUbPBGls0dy7_xpAHiEfqq9/view?usp=sharing[/img]
[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1muYX5nEGG5Y4rAOxGcFpsTJKwTDYVPLj/view?usp=sharing[/img]

I wish that those of us not on Facebook could see this pictures!

A friend took some pics yesterday. Looks like curbing and sidewalks are in but still paving?! Good thing that highways are built a little faster!
[img]https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10241251315686750&set=pcb.2233799330431406[/img]

Let us know what you find. I suggested that they could PLEASE at least open the lot for parking and then finish the bathhouse. Hoping that happens.