Paradise found

One week after our move to Siesta Key we have determined this is our ideal location. The bike riding is superb along Midnight Pass Road, and while I go 6 miles to the bridge and back - De Anne (naturally) covers the entire island, about 20 to 25 miles depending on the route. While I relax she drops her kayak into Midnight Pass, conveniently located in our back yard. She heads out into Little Sarasota Bay or just meanders through the mangrove channels south of us.

For the past 20 years on Sundays at sunset an ever-changing group gathers on Siesta Beach to beat their drums. We rode the free trolley up to the beach, packing our chairs and necessary fluids.

The crowd grew, dancing (sort of) began along with other games and I was thoroughly enjoying the ladies dancing when De Anne announced departure time was nigh. I was surprised. Usually I am the first to give up. Asking why (on the way to the the trolley stop) she explained it was hard on her ears. She was an accomplished violinist once and played in the Philharmonic orchestra. An hour of amateur drum beating was all her musically trained ears could handle.

The healing pyramid in the center of the circle. That's my best guess.

She did several costume changes:

Here is a young woman who has obviously used a hula hoop before (be gentle with film criticism - it's my first phone video):

Closer to home is Turtle Beach which may lack some of the beauty of Siesta Beach a few miles up the Key but is quite adequate for De Anne's beach walk needs and benefits from proximity. 

Island scenes

Just sitting on the porch provides enough entertainment watching the non-stop comings and goings of sailboats, power boats, commercial shrimpers, and the Coast Guard, but we do manage to get out and about the island.

 Next to our dock an osprey spent a leisurely afternoon shredding a fish and fending off the occasional crow or sea gull. He started calling (in the high pitched, irritating tone) to another osprey who came over briefly to check out his possible nesting site. It must have been sub-par - or maybe he was, because after a few minutes she left even though he called plaintively after her.

We walked our bikes to the top of the bridge for this view of the harbor. Yes, it is a pirate ship - every tourist port in Florida has one.

Loading up the bikes we headed to Lover's Key state park, because we needed more exercise than riding on pavement gave. Sand, the perfect surface for a strenuous ride. I was fooled at first by the smooth, hard-packed sand. That disappeared a mile or so into the wilderness where soft sand was the norm.

Sharing the path:

OK, I admit it was scenic:

Our wandering ways end on Friday. We have rented a furnished 2 bedroom condo for the next year. It is on the southern end of Siesta Key with everything necessary for De Anne's amusement. Small gated community with pool and a boat dock on Blind Pass and a few steps from beautiful Turtle beach.

Ding Darling

Yesterday we loaded our bikes and took off for the wilds of Ding Darling park on Sanibel Island. This lovely island is a much desired visit as the bumper to bumper bridge traffic proved. The toll was $6 to enjoy the 3 mph crossing and the most expensive part of the trip as my lifetime senior pass covered the park admittance. One of the perks of being an old fogey.

 The ranger was looking at me when he showed us a map with a shortcut back should we elect to not bike the entire 7 mile route. We did see the sign "Cross Dike" while riding by, but were past it when I realized it was referring to the short-cut, and not a warning sign.

 We joined some bird-watchers at a lookout and when I unzipped De Anne's backpack to retrieve the camera the zipper sound caused the group of serious bird-watchers to turn towards me with shaming looks. I waited a few moments for their attention to return to the flock and surreptitiously took this picture.

I completed the full 7 mile ride, or as De Anne would characterize it - a warm up. 

Time to find a beach! Unfortunately, millions (ever so slight an exaggeration) of others had the same idea before us. We retreated back to our place where the beach is across the street. 

Today is a high, high tide and a picture from 2:30 pm to prove it. Note our porch almost at sea level. De Anne is finishing the cleanup on her kayak. Tomorrow's tide might be a bit higher.

Estero bay

After a whole week of wearing windbreakers and socks we are warm again! It is spring break in Fort Myers Beach, but we are on the quiet end. Bowditch Point park is just a couple blocks away,

The front of Matanzas Pass:

Our dock is well protected:

As those acquainted with this blog understand this is a happy De Anne, setting out to tour the bay:

This sky banner is geared for the spring breakers.... I think....

2 and a half dogs

We arrived back in the cold, upper 48 States and spent a few days at De Linda and Lisa's house in Atlanta. De Anne was a big hit with their furry pack.

This week was a brief visit to Mexico Beach for a few chores and visiting with friends left behind seven months ago. If they would just install an ocean in Indiana we might visit those left behind seven years ago. But now, on to Fort Myers Beach where I can put on my crabby old man attitude and mix with the spring break kids.

We did get in a bike ride along Windmark Beach.

Bacardi

The storm passed and after two months we finally did the Bacardi tour. A bus ride, ferry across San Juan bay, and a cab ride put us at the welcome center where $30 got us a tour, and 2 glasses emblazoned with the appropriate logo from the largest privately owned spirit distiller. Our tour guide said over 500 family members worked for the company.

The entrance to the museum.

Our tour guide displaying the various renditions of this molasses based elixir.

Returning on the ferry past the US Coast Guard station.

Tomorrow concludes our island escape from winter, Our upcoming agenda: a few days in Atlanta, a week in Mexico Beach, and then a month in Fort Myers Beach.

Storm

Today was earmarked for a trip to the Bacardi factory; however, a storm discouraged that plan. We sat around with our books and listened to the windows rattle.

Note the empty beach and windblown trees. It was so bad Aquaman (see previous entry) did not not come down for his day long soak.