Ft Myers Beach 2014

 



Before leaving Burnt Store Marina, Linda's cousin Julie brought our youngest goddaughter, Sarah, for a visit.

We celebrated Sarah's 20th birthday . . . . . . boater style!



 

 

 

 

 

Our last night at Burnt Store, we had dinner with fellow Looper friends.

We met Russ & Cindy at Pelican Bay two years ago.



 

 

 

It was low tide as we went out the channel of Burnt Store into Charlotte Harbour.

 Our friends escorted us to the lower end of the Harbour.

 

 

 

 

 A view of Ft Myers Beach as we pass Sanibel Island.

 

 

 

 

 Approaching the bridge that connects the mainland to Estero Island. 

We will make daily trips to the dinghy dock located under this bridge during the next 10 days.

 

 

 

 

On our mooring ball, looking towards the bridge. 

 

 

 

 

Leaving Spiritus for the day as we go ashore for some FUN!

 

 

 

 

 A "dinghy perspective" of the Matanzas Inn Restaurant.

The Upper Deck not only provides a great view, but toe-tapping live music, ice cold beer, and tasty hot pizza.

 

 

 

 

The First Mate secures "Blondie" to the dinghy dock under the bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 The First Mate finds a place to sit on our way to the Upper Deck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pirates just wanna' have FUN! 

 

 

 

 

 

 A beautiful poinsettia "Christmas tree" is a focal point on the beach at Times Square.

 

 

 

 

This is where people from Michigan can be found in December!

 

 

 

 

One advantage of getting up at 5 a.m. to do the AGLCA Weather Wag is that I get to see sensational sunrises.

 

 

 

 

We rode the local Trolley down to Lover's Key for a picnic one day.

 

 

 

 

No, it's not snow!

This beach at Lover's Key is one of the area's best kept secrets.

 

 

 

 

At the Lover's Key boat ramp, these pelicans go fishing the easy way.

 

 

 

 

Co-mingling on the dock.

 

 

 

 

Fellow Hawaii Wet-Hen, Dot Sicklesteel, and her husband Bill visited us while we were at FMB.

Dot brought Linda the lovely lei that she is proudly wearing. 

 

 

 

 

Just hanging at the Upper Deck!

 

 

 

 

Pirate training ship.

 

 

 

 

 

Going ashore for something special . . . . . . . .

 

. . . . . . . . is always a trip worth taking!

 

 

 

 

 

The extraordinary Ft Myers Beach Library has a unique sand art Christmas display.

 

 

 

 

 

The First Mate captures another serene sunset at Ft Myers Beach.

 

 

 

 

Of all the presents under the tree,

Family and friends are the best that can be!

Wishing you a joy-filled Christmas from the water's edge.

Linda & Eddy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Punta Gorda

Once again, the dolphin come to escort us during our journey.

This time we traveled to the city of Punta Gorda, on Charlotte Harbor.

 

 



 We had to "hover" here while the Dockmaster figured out what slip he was going to put us in.

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed the Christmas lights at Fisherman's Village, conveniently located right next to the marina.

 

 

 

 

 Festive lights adorned the entire shopping promenade at Fisherman's Village.

 

 

 

 

Fellow Wet Hen Jo Mogle and her husband Dale joined us on Spiritus soon after we arrived.

 

 

 

 

 Dale & Jo were kind enough to drive us to the supermarket for provisions.

The First Mate decided she wanted a ride in the dock cart to dinner afterwards!

 

 

 

 

 The Mogles & Johnsens share a wonderful sunset at a Punta Gorda tiki bar!

 

 

 

 

 Surfin' Santa at the tiki bar!

 

 

 

 

 A beautiful mural at our marina in Fisherman's Village.

 

 

 

 

 

 Dale & Jo brought us a papaya from one of the trees in their yard.

  

 Linda wasted little time in using the papaya to make a favorite dish: papaya chicken!

 

 

 

 

A view of the calm, serene moon rise from our slip at Punta Gorda.

 

 

 

 

 

 While the Captain takes time out to change the oil in the engines . . . . . .

 

 . . . . . . . the First Mate takes time out to remove the oil from his clothes!

 

 

 

 

After two days in Punta Gorda, we relocated to Burnt Store Marina.

It was only a two hour cruise to the south end of Charlotte Harbor.

 

 

 

 

 The marina's "Trading Post" has locally made ice cream that we felt obligated to try!

(several times, actually!)

 

 

 

 

 A special night out at the Cass Cay Restaurant.

 

 

 

 

A view of the lighted boats from our table at the restaurant. 

 

 

 

 

Burnt Store is actually a planned community with over 1500 homes of various price ranges.

The grounds in every "neighborhood" were immaculate, kept so by invisible elves that apparently only come out at night when everyone is asleep!

 

 

 

 





 

 As we walked throughout Burnt Store we often felt like we were back in Hawaii.

 

 

 No matter where you choose to live, water is almost always visible. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Yes, it is December but the weather keeps the flowers blooming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where is Spiritus?

 

 

 

 

 Our tropical, "secret" walkway from the boat to the marina complex . . . . .

 

 

 

 

. . . . . and the farmer's market where we pamper ourselves with fresh fruits & veggies! 

 

 

  

 The local fire department displays the donations they've gathered to make less fortunate children's Christmas a little merrier.

 

 

 

 

A rainbow provides a reminder, other than the lush green tropical vegetation, of Hawaii.

Mele Kalikimaka everyone!