Our family took it’s first camping trip to Fort DeSoto Park campground. The chain of islands south of St. Petersburg are absolutely gorgeous. Before we set up camp we toured historic Fort DeSoto built in the late 1800s. Our campsite had the most beautiful view along with a little private beach. The L shaped island created a calm bay with no surf and the kids loved playing there. The weather was in the low 80 s; perfect sunny bliss.

The kids discovered a washed up horseshoe crab on the campsite’s beach. We have seen them washed ashore on Indian Rocks beach as well and dared to explore the remains. This horseshoe crab however was given a name and Cora cared for her; fed her, put her to bed, walked her, and started a zoo for her. Adam and I were impressed by how brave Cora is. We ultimately had to discard of the giant crab because she just could not keep her hands off of it! The crab’s name was Sally by the way.

This is the underside of the crab she wanted to carry around and play with.

We went to North Beach, swam, collected shells, and walked the island. Dylan has become a fearless man-maid lately, trying to surf the waves standing upright with arms out like an eagle on his boogie board and laying on his belly in the surf.

After the beach, we had hotdogs and smores over the fire and the kids explored the woods with flashlights.

The kids and I collected these shells. We were collecting shells in the afternoon when the beach was crowded and picked over. I bet it would be amazing what you can find early in the morning out in the middle of the gulf at Fort DeSoto Park. We plan to make a wall hanging to remember our first family camping trip.