Manasota Key is an 11-mile barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast located south of its busier neighbors, Sarasota, and Venice. It’s about halfway between Tampa and Fort Myers.

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — Sand is piled up to the first floor of most homes on Manasota Key, a sliver of land off Florida’s west coast, where devastation is widespread.

So, we hastily planned a trip to the only place in Florida we’d never heard of, Manasota Key. ... Manasota Key Resort, 985 Gulf Blvd., Englewood, Fla.; 941-474-3431; ...