Captiva Island and Ft Myers Beach

A walk along Captiva Island

Tween the Waters Marina

One of the "homes" on Captiva Island

Colorful fencing on Captiva

I just love "Florida Colors"!

Sanibel Lighthouse

Pirate Ship at Ft Myers!

Me, Nervous Nellie?  I don't think so!!



Bonita Bill's - notice the sign?
40 Beer Limit!  Hmmm!



Ft Myers Beach - wonderful day!

Having a good time at Bonita Bills!

This guy played a mean sax!

Band on the beach

Chillin' on the beach

On Monday (2/6/12) we left Pelican Bay for Captiva Island. We ran into a rain storm but it wasn't too bad. I guess it does need to rain every now and then in Florida. How else would the palm trees stay so green………… Anyway we dropped a hook just out from 'Tween Waters Marina which is between Buck Key and Roosevelt Channel. Just as we did – the sun came out! This is a really pretty area. However, with all the condos and the attitudes it appears to be rather pretentious. We knew going in from reading the waterway guides that none of the "resorts" would allow anyone on anchor to dock your dinghy on their property. I guess they don't want our kind (cheap) to shop at any or eat at any of their facilities. One of the guidebooks said that a smaller marina called McCarthy's would allow us to use their dock so we could walk to get provisions. Well, they failed to mention that the marina charges $15.00 if we want to tie up our dinghy anywhere on their marina! No matter – how long - $15.00! That's almost $2.00 a foot! LOL!

Of course Captain Chappy had to find a better way. He talked to "Captain Dennis" a local for about 30 years now – he owns several "old boats" out on anchor here. He told us to go to the Green Flash Restaurant and have a drink at the bar. He was sure that they wouldn't mind if we left our dinghy there while we walked a few blocks into town. He was right. We visited with Andrea and then walked to the Island Grocery. The only grocery/liquor store on the island. Captiva Island is beautiful. The homes and the condos are over the top and also very private. We were told that there are several celebrities that have places here. Not sure if that's true – but it's definitely believable! Before too long, we were back in our dinghy and headed back to NautiNell. Home sweet home!

Tuesday morning we left our quiet anchorage to head for Ft Myers. It was a beautiful day and an easy one at sea. It wasn't a very long trip – only about 15 miles. We are staying on a mooring ball in the Ft Myers Mooring Field of about 70 balls. They are managed by the Matanzas Resort so all the amenities such as dinghy dockage, laundry, showers and pump outs are included. The rate is only $13.00 per night! Of course, we have to run the generator but it's still a really good deal! Of course the mooring ball that we were told to go to was missing the float that is usually attached for you to grab on to. Being newbies to this – we didn't know – so we kept trying. Finally a fellow boater in a dinghy came to our rescue and helped us catch it. We hung out for a while then decided to check out Happy Hour somewhere and maybe have some dinner. Off to shore in our little "Blue Racer" we went. We checked out several places - Upstairs Lounge (definitely going back there for their pizza) - Nervous Nellies (I had to buy a shirt!) - Ugly's - and Bonita Bills. We ended up having dinner at Bonita Bills and it was Karaoke night!

Now we thought this would be something to laugh at – but you know - the people there could really sing for the most part! The crowd was definitely a senior citizen bunch and a lot of them brought their own cds for the guy to play. What a hoot! Charlie Rich and Patsy Cline – now we know where the old singers have gone – Bonita Bills, Ft Myers. LOL! We finally had to leave and dinghy back to the boat – our lights were not working well (or at all). It was dark and we were wearing sunglasses…….. (and we're not even near Chicago) What a great day!

Wednesday we woke up to another beautiful day. We went to the beach area and found that there are several bars and shops there to check out. We hung out on the beach for a while and had lunch at Smokin' Oyster Brewery or what is locally called S.O.B. This was a really neat place with a great sense of humor in decorating. Mike had what was called Cajun Style Hog Wings – turns out they were smoked pork flanks. Didn't think pigs had wings…… Oh, and I also managed to do a couple of loads of laundry while we had lunch. Glory Days is also here on a mooring ball. We'll probably have Happy Hour with them later.

There's a big Casino Boat here that I would love to check out. They take you out on the Gulf for a cruise that lasts about six hours. There is an all you can eat buffet and all the gambling you would want – even crap tables! Doubt is we make it though – Mike being such a gambler an all. HA!

Thursday started out a little cloudy but that didn't last long.   It was JAPDIP!!!   I finally had to say it!    JUST ANOTHER PERFECT DAY IN PARADISE!!  We saw that on a sign years ago and loved it! It simply says it all!

We went to the beach and spent the entire day. It was a great day spent watching the people, the birds and the water. Oh, and we saw Jim and Brenda (DreamCatcher)! We hadn't seen them for months. They crossed their wake in Grafton IL and went back to their home in Iowa. They are staying here in a condo for a couple of months. What a small world! It was really nice catching up with them.

Later, we decided to go to the grocery story. Now Mike had read on the Active Captain that there was a dinghy dock for the Topps Supermarket here. So off we went down this narrow canal to find it. Well, there is a place to pull up to with you dinghy there – not what you would call a dock. In fact, I would call it a mud flat (and that's being nice). We did meet a young man there that we think was maybe living there for a while. And a lady there that was sitting and waiting for her boyfriend to return. She seemed a little distressed but she was sitting there where he had tied up his dink. She knew he would be back for that. Hmmm…..! While we were talking to them, raccoons were climbing the trees all around us. It was the craziest thing! They didn't seem to care that any of us were there. We made a very short trip to the store and were back to the dinghy in no time. It was starting to get dark – again! At least we didn't have far to go.

Friday morning we went to the Farmers Market that is held here weekly. There was an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from. And of course, good bakery items as well. We ended up hanging out on the boat. Mike took a dinghy exploration ride and I soaked up some rays.

Our plan is to stay on a mooring ball through Saturday and on Sunday we are moving NautiNell over to Dock Fords. Dock Fords is a restaurant/bar that has some slips available. We need to fill our water tank and hook up to electric for a while. We did have the option of staying on the mooring ball but in order to get water, we would have to get it at Matanzas Resort and it would cost us an additional $50.00! Not sure what that's all about - but if we're going to pay someone then let's get a slip where the water is included along with electric?? The slip costs us $52.00! Duh!

Okay, back up – change of plans…… We went over to Bonita Bills for Happy Hour Friday night and found a Gold Looper who is more or less a local here. They (Knot Tide Down) are staying at Bill's for a few months and come down here often. They talked to Smitty (the owner) and he is letting us stay here for a couple of days. How cool is that! We have electric and water! Perfect!!

We moved over to Bonita Bills Saturday morning. It's a good thing too, because the weather is supposed to get cool this evening. Now that we have electric we will be able to run the heater earlier. Of course, by cool I mean in the low 40s. Okay not freezing but pretty cool! Okay? We spent Happy Hour and more with Glory Days, Gold Leaf and 30 Below. What a fun time! After all, the Happy Hour special is pitchers of beer for $5.00! You should have seen the number of pitchers piled up on our table! LOL! Peppermint Patty was playing and they filled beer cans with pennies to use as "noisemakers"! It was hilarious!

Sunday morning was very windy and cold. We spent the day just hanging out on the boat until later in the afternoon. The sun eventually came out and the wind finally did lie down. We headed up to the bar again….. This time Two Hands was playing – a guy with his guitar – really good! He sounded like he may have been an Aussie – couldn't tell for sure. Anyway, it was time for a cheeseburger and a pitcher of beer. We saw the guys from 30 Below again and the dance floor was absolutely packed the entire time.

It looks like the weather is going to be good so we plan to leave in the morning. It has been a great time here and I really like the beach and boardwalk. We'll be back!

Till next time!

Admiral "C"