The ride begins in Lochmoor Waterway Estates, a residential community built over an extensive network of artificial canals along the Caloosahatchee River. From there, the route heads toward Hancock and the northern sections of Cape Coral, where wide avenues, unfinished subdivisions, and vacant lots reveal the long-term effects of the real-estate collapse.
The route then follows Burnt Store Road north, crossing a vast area of canals, drained wetlands, and failed developments until reaching Burnt Store Marina, located on the boundary between Lee and Charlotte counties. The name recalls a trading post that was burned by the Seminoles in the 19th century during conflicts with settlers.
Farther north, the scenery becomes increasingly rural. Natural preserves and scattered communities such as Pirate Harbor, South Punta Gorda Heights, Acline, Solana, and Cleveland appear between the Peace River, Shell Creek, and Charlotte Harbor. The ride passes near the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park, with its mangroves, estuaries, and protected coastal ecosystems.
The final stretch reaches the Ridge Harbor area and nearby rural enclaves, where citrus groves, canals, farmland, and remnants of the old railway corridor still define the landscape. From there, the route returns along the same roads to the starting point, completing a journey that blends extreme urbanization, fragile natural environments, and the memory of forgotten towns.
This route can be found in Discovering Florida – Volume 3.
