Pine Island Revisited

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On Jan. 27, we left Albany in 2 degree weather and arrived at Fort Myers airport with temps in the 80s. Pine Island is just as we left it - beautiful. The pool is VERY heated and dinner at Red's rated A+ for great seafood, atmosphere, and service. Our driver from the airport was great with very good info. The revelation re: the secret beach was NOT from him; however, but we now know where the secret Pine Island beach is! This is a closely guarded secret. Woody's Waterside for dinner and beach music by Mark Northey. Woody's had a promo for Margaritaville Tequilla and Land Shark Beer (both Jimmy Buffet products). I won a great Margarittaville t-shirt for Wes by answering the question - name one of Jimmy Buffet's current places of residence. My quick answer - Long Island, NY - and the shirt was tossed to our table. Interesting additions to the "to do" list - Ramdell Research Center/Calusa Heritage Trail, Pine Land, Pine Island - a history, ecology and archeology project - the Calusas were a powerful indiginous people - Kouky Gallery and Gardens - regional artists, garden statuary, orchids and native landscaping plants AND earth and spirit, with a weekend "green" flea market and cafe and landscaping accessories, plants and herbs, and local art in a beautiful garden setting. We had dinner on Moretti's patio, watching manatees and dolphins make random appearances as the sun dipped into Matlacha Pass. The meal was superb! Local artist, Marie Cahill's charming, colorful prints of Matlacha scenes are for sale at Burt's Gallery - across from Burt's Bar. We bought a collage post card "Beautiful Downtown Matlacha" combining many of the buildings she has painted.

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Photos

This is what is happening on Pine Island Jan 28, 2009
Yes quite a contrast to New York weather today. Don't want to gloat; but then.... we always were sort of bratty.

This is what is happening home Jan. 28
Our neighbors, the Vanderwerkers, were kind enough to send us pix of what we are missing.

Artist, Marie Cahill's Post Card Beautiful Downtown Matlacha
Matlacha artist, Marie Cahill's colorful paintings of Matlacha are for sale at Burt's Gallery across from Burt's Bar. This local artist captures the scene so skillfully.

Dinner Sunset With Manatees and Dolphins - Morretti's Matlacha
Memorable on so many levels.

Lunch on the Deck at Woody's
Woody's is locate along one of the Pine Island Canals. Great little spot next to a very active marina. Good food, live music - both times we were there at night we "shared" a high top table with another couple (interestingly people we didn't know (something we don't do home) ... the Pine Island environment leans toward friendliness.

Canal
We drove around a 55+ community of doublewide "manufactured" homes. We were amazed. Canals are behind many of the lots and the retirees (very active, fit, seemingly fun people) have decks and docks (just like Ballston Lakers) and keep their boats right behind the "house." All is trim (rules about how things look). We are intrigued - not in the market at this time ... seems like a great option and Pine Island is Florida living at its funky best!

The World's Fishingest Bridge
We have never been on this little drawbridge between Matlacha and Little Pine Island when there were no people fishing from it. Amazing!

Gazebo at earth & spirit garden gallery
This beautiful space is available for rent for events, weddings, parties, etc. really unique.

We Found the Pine Island Beach
We found the beach - it is a "two towel" beach - postage stamp size - the locals are so happy that they don't have beautiful, spacious beaches - they fear that they breed condo owners and tourists and other desperados!

Mango Tree In Bloom
Mangoritas anyone? The mango trees are in bloom and there is an expectation of a bumper crop come summer. Yum! Woody's has Mango Margaritas on tap!

Live Shells ... Put right back!
Took this picture to compare with a shell field guide - think they are fighting conchs! There is more than one reason (a hefty fine) NOT to take live shells - that is that they die odorificly!

Comments

[Lauren Prock]

I'm Jealous
I'm insanly jealous that you and Wes are in a warm beautiful place, and we're cold. You guys look like you're having fun. Can't wait to here about Paris. Love, Lauren!

[Rosemary Prock]

Looks like paradise
What a beautiful place - I love the yellow bathtub! Should hunt one down for the shop. Have a wonderful time...

[Tara]

Yum
Mango Margaritas sound delicious! Glad you are having a good time.

[Carol McCarthy]

Pine Island
Glad you are having such a great time. We loved the photos! We have been to Fort Meyers dozens of times and never been to Pine Island. A must for our next visit. We are in the Canadian Rockies skiing and have had 26 cm. of new snow today! Such a contrast, hey?

[Cathy Cahill]

Hey there!
I also happen to be a big fan of Matlacha, FL! My Mom and Dad live there - my mom is Marie Cahill, the artist you mentioned. Her paintings really capture the colorful and artsy spirit of Matlacha - so glad you mentioned them. Enjoy!