Blogs from Pine Island, Florida, United States, North America - page 2

Since it is 2011, it is our 45th Anniversary Year. We stepped this Valentines Day up a notch (at Wes's suggestion) and renewed our vows at a Matlacha gallery appropriately called "Lovegroves." The owner, Leoma Lovegrove, doesn't allow photos! But she had a few professional photogs there to shoot the whole thing and I'll find it on facebook. There was a real reverend, veils, bouquets, a walk down the aisle (with the men waiting at the altar), an exchange of vows, an artsy re-marriage certificate hand painted by Leoma, a champagne reception with hors d'oeuvres, wedding cake, Beatles music and more! At the end of the ceremony, we tossed flowers into the canal and sent them off with a wish to benefit our beloved. It was a great night. A couple we met at the pool ... read more

We're home in Ballston Lake, NY. Fall 2010 Florida trip is but a memory; a very awesome memory. Great "last night dinner" at Pine Island at Tarpon Lodge. Casual, comfy and slightly elegant! Would love to ride out a hurricane hunkered near the fireplace. Witty Irish lass, Sister Sue, at the piano in the lounge - jazz, standards, songs of the sea, and wicked satire. Also met up with the "Pine Island Hookers" who want me to join their philanthropic group. Other hits re: entertainment during the week: raunchy Jay Crawford at Woody's where we also caught one of "Yard Dog," Charlie Kutcher's "Mardi Gras Monday's." Very young percussionist (high schooler), Tiffany, burned up the wash board. Also loved singing along with The Fiddler & I at the Raggedy Butt. Road trip to the northern part ... read more

What a day! Wes got the name of Captain Mike Nabors from Scotty at Coast Connections at Bokeelia. We met Mike this morning near Woody's on the Monroe Canal near St. James City, Pine Island. He first took us out the Monroe Canal and then back up another. St. James City and much of Pine Island is a virtual "Venice" of canal systems. We wound around identifying birds, talking about fishing, enjoying the scenery and seeing things from the waterfront perspective. Mike took us to the Sanibel/Ding Darling Wildlife area which was just beautiful and teaming with wildlife. We headed for the causeway that we cross with the jeep from Fort Meyers to get to Sanibel/Captiva. Mike turned the boat back at the Sanibel Lighthouse, heading under the bridge to Picnic Island, a Lee County Park ... read more

Bokeelia is at the northern end of Pine Island. It has a golf course, a few marinas, a few restaurants, an inn or two and many lovely homes. It is also very private. We always stop at Crossed Palms Art Gallery, and the owners let us use their deck across the road to take in scenic Port Charlotte Harbor. Dawn, a silk screen and jewelry artist, was on duty at the shop. She knows her local art scene and especially pointed out the work of Mel Meo. We actually met Mel later on at a most unusualy outdoor "lunch cart" restaurant and "fish house" with a porch nostalgic of a family camp in the '50's! The place was called Coast Connection. You can get there by boat or by car. We were told that Mel sometimes ... read more

On Sunday morning, we left Venice and the Crow's Nest and headed south to Boca Grande pass. There, we find one of our favorite spots, home of the original, authentic Cheeseburger in Paradise - Cabbage Key. On the way in Boca Grande pass, we stopped to anchor off the beach at Caya Costa and took a dip. The drfitwood made great tools for sandcastles, and the shells provided a lot of entertainment for the boys skipping along the water. Caroline found a conch living in a shell, the boys played in the current. We headed to the anchorage and everyone had fun jumping off the boat into the water. After showers, we headed in to Cabbage Key where the kids climbed the water tower and the adults climbed the barstools. :-) We had a wonderful stay. ... read more