Beach walkers and runners at Gulf Haven have two choices. Head down to the shoreline, and if you turn right, you’ll stroll through the Siesta Key public beach and eventually, all the way up into Siesta Village. But Gulf Haven regulars know that if you’re looking for shells, your better bet is to turn left. At the end of Crescent Beach, you’ll see an insanely large chateau (recently the filming locale for MTV’s “Siesta Key” tv series, and a sea wall, along a treacherous outcropping known as Point of Rocks.
Look a little closer at the wild tangle of bushes along the sea wall, and you’ll notice something curious: those aren’t buds on the branches, but shells! Hundreds of shells are waving in the gulf’s breeze. Like the “love locks” on some of Europe’s famous bridges, some of the shells have messages of love: (“Sarah + David 4EVER”). On many others, just a name and a date. Apparently, there are shell trees elsewhere in SW Florida, and some speculate the tradition got started as a way to memorialize loved ones.
Is this unwelcome graffiti or romantic beach art? However it started, and whoever keeps it going, it’s definitely a curiosity and as good a reason as any to get out to the beach today and enjoy a walk!