28. Explore the islands of Matlacha and Pine Island.We’ve borrowed the following text from Coastal Living Magazine and travel writer, JeffBook:Just past the Island Time Zone road sign, the tiny town of Matlacha (MAT-luh-shay)--anislet west of Ft. Myers- welcomes visitors with art galleries and shops but retains thecharm of a quiet fishing village. Tethered to the mainland by the "fishingest bridge in theU.S.A." over Matlacha Pass, it's surrounded by dozens of mostly empty isles, an idealhabitat for fish (and the anglers who catch them). Kayakers come here to paddle placidbackwaters, but be sure to spend time on dry land, checking out the eclectic collectionsat galleries such as Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens, where owner and artist LeomaLovegrove's vibrant paintings cover every surface.Route 78 from Matlacha continues to peaceful Pine Island. The land on this 17-mile-longslice of Old Florida is largely home to plantations replete with palm, citrus, avocado,guava, macadamia, and mango trees. The island's Annual Mango Mania festival-withgames for the kids, recipe contests, and arts and crafts-is held in July.Pine Island's sparse traffic-and the bike path running from one end to the other--makes itideal for cycling. Hikers take the Calusa Heritage Trail, which winds among ancient shellmounds and the remnants of an impressive cross-island canal built by the CalusaIndians, who settled here around A.D. 1. Trail signs illustrate the thriving seaside villagethat greeted Spanish explorers in the early 1500's.
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