By Suzanne Corbett, STLSportsPage.com Food/Travel Editor
Spring Training’s Grapefruit league is underway and fans are flocking to Florida with two things on their minds. Baseball and the beach. While Cardinal fans come to catch pre-season play at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, you can often find many between games catching some rays on one Florida’s pristine beaches.
When visiting that beach, locals claim if you you bring back sand on your feet or in your bag, you’ll return. Perhaps. However, I don’t have to track sand off the beach and into my car to return.
Pretty much the only problem I see with going to the beach is the sand that is brought back in to the car and then into the hotel room. There is actually a company addressing the sand getting tracked back problem.
CGear Sand-Free is a line of beach totes and backpacks for a sand-free life that promises to keep gear, vehicles, boats, people and pets free of sand and dirt during outdoor adventures and everyday life. A patented, specialty dual-weave fabric used on the bottom of CGear bags allows sand particles to fall through the bag. And if you set it on the ground no particles can get through the open weave into the bag. CGear Tote Bags is offering one of their totes as a prize in the STLSportsPage.com NCAA Bracket Challenge- or you can check out their website for more information.
Once you have that beach bag packed with sunscreen and a cold drink, head to the beach. During Cardinal spring training, we hope to see you at one of the nearby beaches, which really are some of the best.
Here are three to consider. All great to locations where you can sink your;’ toes in the sand and enjoy.
Jupiter Beach Park: 1375 Jupiter Beach Road, Jupiter, FL 33468
Amenities include saltwater fishing and surfing outside guarded swimming area, volleyball and picnic pavilion. Intercoastal side has kid pools and bbq grills.
Coral Cove Park: 1600 Beach Road, Tequesta, FL 33469
Amenities include great oceanfront walking, snorkeling and shelling. Inlet features rock formations along with a 600 foot guarded beachfront. A big plus for families – there’s a playground.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr. North Palm Beach, Fl 33408
Amenities: An ocean front barrier island, is considered an environmental treasure. Welcome Center offers kayak rentals, a playground, nature trails and picnicking. Check their calendar for dates on their Moonlight or Blue Grass concerts
For more information on things to do in the Jupiter, Florida area, check out Sally and Rob Rains’ new book, “All Roads Lead to St. Louis; A Guide to the Cardinals Minor League.” The book, which has a Foreword by Cards manager Mike Shildt and restaurant recommendations from pitcher Adam Wainwright.
