Sanibel Captiva Island Message Board

[RC]

My name is RC and I'm a "silent Surfer" (one who cruises the forum but doesn't contribute much and I'm a Best of Sanibel Captiva.com addict! I have been since hurricane Charley came ashore in 2004. Back then it was the only place to get the most current information regarding conditions on the island. As Kim (A.K.A. The pusher) states on the homepage click here to get your island fix. I've been coming back almost daily to the message boards and getting my fix since 2004. I finally joined the forum in Jan of 2005. Its a great place to help you feel like your there when you can't be. If Sanibel is my Jose Cuervo then Captiva is my Patron (and yes I like it with a little salt and lime!) I guess you could say my wife and I are late bloomers we didn't start coming to Sanibel until 2000. I remember our first drive to Captiva as we passed through the thick beautiful green canopy of Captiva it was like passing into another world. From that moment on we were hooked for life. While the canopy is gone (thanks to Charley) our love of the island is stronger than ever.
Problem is all these years I have been a "Silent Surfer"(one who cruises the forum but doesn't contribute much) I was recently inspired by the trip reports from trac007 so I have decided to face my addictions head on. I will attempt to share our week on the island and hopefully will inspire some of you other addicts to share your love of the island as well. As I sit here tonight in this hotel room in Georgia I'm compelled to say its not Georgia on my mind but Captiva! We probably won't get too much sleep tonight were all to amped up but after 14 hours on the road today stopping is probably the smart thing to do. Anyways we'll be there Saturday afternoon. Looking forward to a great week. More to come

[Snowbird]

RC, welcome to the wonderful world of writing on BOSC instead of just surfing (one who cruises the forum but doesn't contribute much) Can't wait to read your posts on your trip. Have fun, stay cool, and enjoy!

[saustin43]

From one Missourian to another Missourian - I look forward to your trip report. We will be there in July. We gave up the long drive and now fly, but I still remember the fun of driving through Atlanta!
Sue in Mexico, MO

[CTinCT]

Avoiding Atlanta only adds a little time and mileage per Google maps:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Mexico,+MO&daddr=32.3598235,-86.238966+to:33957&hl=en&geocode=FeOuVQIdPPqF-impu6lPMvjchzGxI-PTO_2Qug%3BFY_F7QEdChnc-ikz6pYBaSqMiDEjudFUOfWOUQ%3BFd6AkwEdYuka-ynNjzTtEzHbiDHfnh4TStaCOw&mra=ls&sll=32.8035,-86.87777&sspn=15.281926,26.784668&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=6&via=1

[RC]

We've arrived! Got in early afternoon and stopped for lunch in Ft. Myers at Bahamma Breeze. I Had the fish tacos and the wife surprised us all and had them also. After 34 years you think you got someone figured out and bam you don't know nothing! She's not usually much into trying new things but considering today is our anniversary I guess she was feeling a little adventurous. We then stopped at Wally world and picked up a few provisions before making a mad dash for the causeway rolled down the windows and take a deep breath. Ahhhh smell that ocean air let the relaxing begin. About the only schedule we have to worry about for the next week is making Sunset on the beach with a bottle of wine. By the time we unloaded everything at the house (seems like we brought the whole house with us) It was time for the typical late afternoon thundershower. This one unlike most seems to last a little longer today so we're off to the Green flash for dinner. No green flash tonight but a pretty good lightning display.

We're here this week with the grandkids and our daughter. We made a mistake once and brought them along so now they chain themself to the truck so we have to bring them with us! Just kidding I really enjoy watching the little ones grow up and the beach is already a favorite place for them. Usually I'm all alone with a house full of girls but this week we also have my daughters boyfriend with us. Considering her ex husband never got to come down here this guy is getting special privliges. Think I'll take him over to the golf course later this week and introduce him to the alligators.

Tomorrow we'll be practicing the four S's Sunscreen, Shade,Shells and Sunglasses.

[saustin43]

Let the fun continue! Keep us posted. :-)

[RC]

As I sat there today with my toes in the sand and a cold drink in my hand "Life is good today!" I really wanted to say with my A_ _ in the sand but I realized some of you may not have heard that song before. Today was a great beach day but we weren't too sure for the first few minutes there. The water was filled with Jellyfish. Comb jellies which don't have tentacles or as my wife said in an earlier conversation Testacles!!! which will go down in the archives and will be brought out in the future to embarass her when the time is appropriate. I guess these guys are not considered true Jellyfish. It looked like a Jellyfish convention and Captiva was the host island. It made you think a little before making those first steps into the water but these guys are harmless and as my daughter texted one of her co-workers today and said she was swimming with the jellyfish her co-worker responded better the jellyfish than the tarballs. I gotta agree with that one. I must say today the water was some of the clearest I've seen and my hopes and prayers are that is how it will stay.

My grandaughters are 6 & 3 and this year is one of the first years that they really played in the shallow water and the surf without having a death's grip around PaPa's or NaNa's neck it was really great watching them explore the beach today. As I sat on the beach today practicing one of the four S's I mentioned in my earlier post (Shade) It is truly amazing how small the world can make you feel sometimes. Sitting there looking out at the massive horizon in the distance forces me to ask the question of the day. How far away is the horizon the farthest point you can see off in the ocean? I know there are some smart people on this forum perhaps one of them has the answer. Or better yet let's start a survey and see who comes up with the right answer by the end of the week.

Today started off at Amy's over easy on the patio. The breeze was man made but felt good and kept the bugs at bay. What a great way to start the day. After reading here on the forum that McT's was under new management we decided to give them a try for dinner. We have not been there for a long time because last visit several years ago they turned us into popsicles because of an out of control air conditioner and some really poor service. This time around I would give them good marks on the service but the quality I didn't feel was up to the prices they are charging. Sorry McT's just my two cents worth.

We finished the day with one of those world famous Captiva sunset and a bottle of one of my homemade wines. Tonights flavor Pomegranate Zinfandel. The sun just melted into the ocean and as I said earlier "Life is good today" Can't wait for tomorrow.

[CTinCT]

[o2binsanibel]

[RC]

Just another day in Paradise. Got up early today and put up the beach canopy so it would be good to go when we got back from breakfast. We decided to make an exploratory mission to Courtney's of Sanibel for breakfast. I had asked a while back if anybody had any reviews but got no response. We thought we would check it out for maybe a special dinner date later in the week. Breakfast was ok and reasonable but I'm not sure if I'm ready to put it on my special dinner date list. Dinner selection can be tough sometimes because you always want to go back to the old reliables but its nice to try out a new place here and there so they can possibly become the future old reliables.

The granddaughters made another big step this year today they ventured out into the deeper water under close eye and with their floaties on it was another great day and the oldest one told me today that she wished it was Saturday so she would have more time to be here! Wow at 6 shes already hooked. We really made her day by taking her to her favorite dinner spot. Yep you guessed it Cheeburger Cheeburger we'll at least they fry everything in peanut oil. That makes my artieries feel better.

I did manage to add another S to my list of S's I listed in my earlier post. Todays S is SNORE! I hope I didn't scare anybody off the beach today or drive any wildlife closer to extinction. I couldn't help it the Ocean breeze put me into a coma!!! My wife has grown use to it but it has been known to scare small animals and childern

O2binsanibel posted that they were vacationing here with us this week through my post. That makes me feel good because I know I have done the same thing through others trip reports as well. That wasn't you who called around 4:30 this morning was it?????? That reminds me of our first trip to Sanibel we have a family friend we call him Jimbo him and his lovely wife Karen. They are quite the pranksters. We made our first trip with another couple and Jimbo and Karen. They were flying in late on a Saturday and were staying at a condo near Bowmans beach. We stayed with the other couple at their families home near the firehouse by bowmans beach. Jimbo made a big mistake by having us get the key and opening up the condo for him. It was payback time. We started off by strategically placing some saran wrap across the toilet you know so it would look normal but wasn't. Next we duct taped the shower door so you couldn't see the duct tape and the door wouldn't open. They said it took him 15 minutes to get into the shower the next morning and last we put an alarm clock under his bed set to pure static at full volume at 4:00 in the morning. We laughed about it for days and come to think of it it still brings a smile to my face today. Think I'll call Jimbo sometime this week and let him know we're thinking about him. I think we should be able to catch him at home say around 2:00 or 3:00 A.M.

In closing it was another great sunset and todays question. Why are we drawn to the sunset like moths to a porch light? I've pondered that thought for awhile and for me its like one of those paintings you go and look at over and over again. Each time you look at it you find something new. Our creator paints a new canvas for us each day its up to us to find something new and good in it

[o2binsanibel]

Yea that was me RC.....I was on my way to WORK!!

Loving your reports...I'm still there with ya!!

[nouknitouk]

Glad you are having a great trip.

how is the beach ? any weeds on the beach ? in the surf zone ?

Last summer was pretty bad on some beaches with the manatee grass

[ShannonPinNo]

Thoroughly enjoying your posts as I sit here counting the days until I take over the "S's" for you......11 days!!!

[Kim]

Welcome to the Board - I'm glad you finally gave in to your addiction and joined in!

[RC]

Ok in keeping with the S word theme this week I'll start off the post with one. SUNRISE! My lovely wife got me out of bed at 4:45 A.M. this morning so we could walk over to the docks at the Green Flash to take photos of that orange ball we have been taking pictures of every evening since we got here. You know what? Yep it looks like it does in the evening but this morning I found out what must be a secret. Would you like to know it? I'm not sure if I should let the cat out of the bag but surely a few of you have seen it too already. It travels in a different direction!!!! To be real honest I did enjoy it. There was a calmness to the bay as the world woke up to another day but did I really need to get up at 4:45 to do it. We discussed it the night before and CTinCT told me earlier this week that google was my friend so we googled sunrise on Captiva and it said 5:03 A.M. Somebody forgot to tell the sun because it slept in this morning we didn't see that firey red glow until around 6:35! So from 5:03 till 6:35 we were just Sitting on the dock of the bay wastin time Tonight I'm gonna give you a bonus S word. SPRAY! Note to self if your going to go out and sit on the dock of the bay that early in the morning SPRAY dummy or the bugs will have you for breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast since we were Up why not go for breakfast? The best one of the week so far. Lighthouse Cafe now those folks know how to make a seafood Omlete. Its called the Hungry Fisherman and the Crab (big chunks) Shrimp and scallops were plentiful. Yum and since we were in the neighborhood we decided to check out Lighthouse beach because it was low tide. We spent about a hour down there and found a few nice shells but we weren't really prepared for the trip and it looked like there were several professionals already on the scene.

I had plans to play golf with my daughter's boyfriend today so we had to get back. I was talking earlier in the week about addiction. His is golf. He works at a golf course and plays alot. I just hope he's a Phil Mickelson wannabe and not a Tiger woods wannabe Know what I mean? It has been pretty dry down here apparently because the course (The Dunes) was showing it. Plus they have recently arreated so we had lots of valid excuses for missing putts. I tried out a new golf ball for this trip its made by Callawy and called Bite. I thought it was appropriate I used a ball that defined my golf game. We had a good lunch at the Dunes and a first for me. I love grouper and they have a Grouper Ruben from a food standpoint this is shaping up to be a really good day. From a golf standpoint the only thing I could really say was Hot.

Back home for Dinner date night.(The time when the wife and I dump the rest of the group and go out together alone). Our plan tonight was to go to the Old Captiva House one of the rules regarding Date night is go someplace new. OK plan B must now go into effect because when we walked into the door theres a nice little sign saying "The Old Captiva House will be closed on Tuesdays during the summer." The crows nest next door was open but we decided to go into Sanibel instead. We ended up at Thistle lodge beautiful view and great food.

The girls got to do a little shopping and beach time today. The water has been great but they said the Manatee grass was really rolling in today it must be taking the place of the comb Jellies because my wife said they were pretty much non-exsistent. (The convention must be over ) My wife showed me one of the most beautiful sea urchin shells when I got back from golfing today. She said look what I found on the beach today. It was beautiful and I felt really good for her because on our first visit to Sanibel she found one on Bowmans Beach. For years she proudly displayed it on the fire place mantle. One day while dusting she knocked it off and let's just say there was no way to put Humpty together again. I was so happy for her and then this strange expression came over her face. You know the one that shows up just before someone says "Gotcha"!!!!!! Turns out she found it in a little shop on Captiva. She says this one goes into the curio cabinet No more mantles. Let see I got how many days left this week to pay her back for that little stunt?

Well this has gotten too long and it's getting late. The wife went to bed about an hour ago and said something about seeing me at 4:45. Hey wait a minute!!! I didn't agree to that

[penguinmoon]

I'm really enjoying your trip reports! Too bad about Old Captiva House being closed on Tuesdays... it's a wonderful place. Have you tried Doc Fords?

[CTinCT]

Here's a good site for sunrise/sunset times (scroll down to the Astronomy section on the left side) and all kinds of other info:

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=captiva%20fl&wuSelect=WEATHER

BTW, see what you mean about googling "sunrise on captiva" - that first site is **REALLY** off the wall, even adjusting for daylight savings. Using "sunrise setset times", I found http://www.sunrisesunset.com/usa/ which eventually gets one down to Cape Coral or Sanibel, defines civil/nautical/astronomical, and gives consistent info to the wunderground site.

[Snowbird]

RC, I love reading your reports. Love your sense of humor.

[o2binsanibel]

RC your trip reports are great!!


For future reference...if you find any more fragile shells...i.e. urchins, sand dollars. elmers glue and water on a sponge brush!! It will toughen it up...probably won't help with a fall from the mantle, but does make it much tougher!! I just dip the sponge brush in some water, add glue to the brush and paint it on, letting it dry between coats! It really works!!

Keep the reports coming...we're still there with ya!!

[OH Beachwalker]

RC, I too am enjoying your daily updates! I also have been on board since the "beginning" and until last year, only to see what's going on every day. I realize now how much fun it is to see what everyone is doing down on Sanibel--and look forward to hearing about the rest of your stay. All the details make me smile--and brings Sanibel a little closer!

[saustin43]

I am enjoying your trip reports. Thank you to all who do them! I always think I will. . . but then I don't :-(

Maybe this time I will. We will be at Ocean's Reach for ten days in July. :-)

[o2binsanibel]

saustin...I am the same way! I'm not very good at it! (posting updates)

We too will be at Oceans Reach with the WHOLE Fam Damily, beginning July 16th....for 2 weeks!! We always said we wanted to try it for 2 weeks...we're finally gonna do it this time!!!

[saustin43]

O2b, I will be there 7/10 - 7/20, so we will overlap. Please introduce yourself. I'd love to put a face to the name. I will be with my daughter and granddaughter.

[RC]

Good evening all. Well she didn't do it, but my body clock woke me up today at what time? Yep 4:45A.M. as I laid there I thought about paying my darling wife back for the little sea urchin stunt from yesterday by shaking her and saying Honey hurry up we're late! But on second thought I figured maybe not such a good idea she might actually make me get out of bed so I drifted back off till around 6:00.

I got to ask whats up with the bugs around here? My daughter was all freaked out about seeing bugs with glowing eyes. I thought maybe she was having a little too much of Dad's homemade wine. She claims as they were coming back from a late evening beach walk the other night they noticed eyes glowing at them from the bushes. We got bugs in Missouri that glow but they glow from the rear end. We call them fireflys or lightening bugs. Can't say I've seen any of them around here. I believe what she saw was a form of a click beetle. The eyes don't actually glow but from the bushes in the pitch black its got to be a wierd sight. I haven't been able to see them myself. I'm afraid of the dark and try to stay in at night

Today was pretty much a beach day. The beach canopy went up early this morning and came down or I should say almost blew down this evening. My daughter and her boyfriend went parasailing today and I almost went tonight for free. The wind was picking up and as I went back to the beach to take down the beach canopy I could swear if I would put just a little effort into it I could have got airborn. Its storming at the moment the power has been flickering I'm glad I got a battery backing me up on this post.

I was thinking today while on the beach how nice it would be if we had a way to identify one another while we are out enjoying the beach or anywhere for that matter when we're out and about in Sanibel and Captiva. By we I mean BOSC forum members. You know we could all wear one of those special colored little bracelets like Lance Armstrong did for his Livestrong foundation. Or better yet maybe we could get Kirbyrambo to supply all forum members with Junonia shells. We could wear them around our neck or something. Ok so the first two ideas maybe not. How about if we invent our own gang signs and as we are walking down the beach we could just flash the signs and of course all BOSC members would know the sign and then flash it back.

I want to say to O2binsanibel thanks for the Elmers glue tip. My wife actually read that in a magazine today!

OK todays S word is SHUCKS!!!! I thought of a couple others that would have also fit but didn't want to get Kim mad at me. I enjoy making wine I also enjoy drinking it. My taste buds are not as sophisticated as the hard core wine drinker because I tend to like the fruit wines or as we call them back home Country wines. They tend to be not as dry. I really wanted to give Sanibel Tropical Wines a try. Looking at their website I was interested in several of their products but was really wanting to check out their Watermelon wine. I tried making Watermelon wine once but it didn't turn out as I hoped. Anyway on our way to Gramma Dots for dinner we thought we would stop by have a taste and buy a bottle or two. I got to the door and another disappointing note. This one said closed from June 12-18. (Probably vacationing in Missouri)
Anyway Ahh SCHUCKS. Well I did bring a case of the homemade stuff with me this week three different flavors. Pomegranate Zinfandel, Peach Apricot Chardonay and Green Apple Riesling I guess those will just have to do for now. Have any of you had any of the wines from this place? If so How was it? I guess I could order it on-line.

My wife and daughter have a little competition when they are here. They take pictures. Lots of them and then when we get back home we have a little judging events where we pick the best half a dozen or so and then blow them up and proudly display them in the house. Its good for a moment of reflection and a smile when your back in the middle of the rat race. I will try and find one of those photo sharing sights where we can post them and you can check them out.

We hope to give Old Captiva House a try some other time and Doc Fords has been a normal stop for us in the past. Sounds like the storm is beginning to wind down and so am I. More to come

[ShannonPinNo]

I'll have to try to check out Sanibel Tropical Wines. Wish I was there right now so I could try your homemade wine!

We've got 3 boxes of...um....wine and other assorted...um...beverages to bring down for our trip. ...9 days and counting!!!