Day 6 on Captiva

We planned a busy day for today.  We attended 2 lectures,  one at 10AM and another at 1PM. The first stop was at Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation for a talk by Mark "Bird" Westall about the eagles of Sanibel and Captiva. There are four nesting eagle pairs here.  He is an expert on opreys and eagles and also owner of  Canoe and Adventure Company.  The talk included a bit of history of eagles on the island and a new attempt of using man made nesting sites for eagles.

We made a quick stop for lunch at the house and headed back to our second stop.

The second talk was at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Education Center by Charles LeBuff  about the history of the refuge and Sanibel Island .  He was part of the first staff at the refuge and author of "Images of America: J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge".

The talk was very informative and we enjoy hearing about the history of the island.

     Charles LeBuff on left  and

                               Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik in center

We then stopped at Timbers to purchase some fresh grouper for dinner. We planned to spend the afternoon on the beach but clouds rolled in and changed our plans. I spent the afternoon catching up with blog postings.

Dinner tonight was Panko Encrusted Grouper served with fried corn and a chopped salad (Bravo Style) with balsamic vinaigrette and hot rolls.  This was a great home cooked dinner.

Day 5 on Captiva

Early up this morning for coffee and toast. Al has an appointment with a massage therapist in Sanibel at 9AM.  He has been suffering with pain in his left shoulder from either a torn muscle or rotator cuff injury  (He probably hurt it sawing up a 20+ foot limb that fell from one of our trees the week we left.)  The massage did help relieve some of the pain so we are glad that he went.
We then ate breakfast at Over Easy Cafe, a very popular local spot.  Al had his fave bagel and lox platter and I decided to try the French toast which I did not like....the batter was loaded with cinnamon, way too much for my taste.  Afterwards, we took a short hike through Bailey Tract, a favorite area for birding.   Since it was noon by now, we did not see many birds, just a few ducks including Moorhens and Pied-Billed Grebes and a couple Herons.
Next, we went to Bailey's General Store for some groceries and some fresh shrimp for dinner. And then we headed back to the house. Relaxed the afternoon away.



Tonight, I prepared one of Al's favorites - Shrimp Puttanesca over Linguine - a spicy dish with anchovies, garlic, Greek olives, red pepper flakes, capers and tomatoes.  Served this with green salads, hot rolls,glasses of wine.  Bon Appetit!  I must say that we both enjoyed dinner.

For future reference:
Massage- Charlene Black
 2400 Palm Ridge Rd

Day 4 on Captiva

Fairly routine day. Al took an early walk to Santiva General Store for paper and some pastries. It was a cloudy and cool morning so we spent morning inside. I served lunch of turkey, avocado, tomato,and lettuce sandwiches with orange segments.  Soon as the sun came out, we went to the beach and spent some time reading and relaxing.  Not many people or birds on the beach....a bit cool and windy.

Decided to try Keylime Bistro on Andy Rosse Drive in "downtown" Captiva for dinner ...have had a good breakfast there but never tried for dinner. After being seated, we were served a plate of crackers, cheese spread, and grapes. A nice beginning!  Al ordered Caesar salad and an entree of scallops wrapped in bacon served with rice.  I had crabcakes served with lime aioli and  rice and veggies.  Since I am a big fan of crabcakes, I am quite a judge of them and the ones here did not meet my standards.  Were not made with lump crab and were way too heavy with the breading.  Service here was good but food not that great and pricey for the quality.  One interesting thing--when Al asked about bread, he was told by one waiter that they did not serve any but another waiter quickly got us some hot flaky rolls....probably the best thing at dinner. Will not add to my "must go" dinner places, but still good for lunch.  They do have live music playing in the outside dining area but it was not that great either.

Day 3 on Captiva

Another relaxing morning. Coffee, prepared by Al as always, was enjoyed on the porch. Can you believe that  I have not made coffee in over 35 years.  Had light rain early  in day. We spent morning doing what we like....Al on the web and I making a card and checking blogs. Served lunch of egg salad sandwiches with fruit and chips.  We took a walk on the beach and made pictures of the few shorebirds on the beach. Spotted dolphins fairly close to shore line. Feels good to be walking in the sand and in the sun.

  

We went to Sanibel for dinner at the Timbers, one of our faves for seafood. We started with oysters on the half shell and drinks.  Al ordered the stuffed shrimp with salad, steamed veggies, and rice pilaf. I enjoyed the peel n eat shrimp with salad, baked potato, and veggies. Larry was our waiter whom we remembered from past years.

Day 2 on Captiva

Today was spent easing in to the island lifestyle......meaning we did a lot of doing nothing.  Lazy morning spent on the porch with coffee and pastries while writing on this blog and Al surfing the web.   Al took a walk to the corner store Santiva General Store for a Wall Street. We had problem with internet connection but now solved. Lot of ospreys flying about and screeching.
We had  lunch on the porch. Sandwiches and chips served at noon ...best part of lunch were the great tomatoes from the Farmer's Market. After doing more nothing and watching the rain, we did take a drive through Ding Darling Wildlife Reserve....saw a lot of Ibis feeding along the drive, a Yellow-crown Night Heron, the White Pelicans at rest on one of the islands, and  an immature Little Blue Heron which is white at the immature stage. We also spotted a pair of Hooded Mergansers swiimming near the end of the drive. I think this is the first we have seen on the drive.

Dinner at home tonight with Al cooking a ribeye steak to perfection.  Served with corn on the cob and beefsteak tomato salad with Country French dressing.  As good as any island restaurant!

Day 1 on Captiva

Sunday morning is the day for the Farmer's Market on Sanibel Island.  After coffee and pastries and time on the internet,  we headed out about 10:00 to shop the market.  The number of vendors has increased over last year and more prepared foods are included.  We purchased some tomatoes, radishes, red pepper, corn, and fresh mussels. We then had brunch at the Sanibel Cafe at the Tahitian Gardens.

Al enjoyed the bagel and lox platter and I had shrimp salad with fruit and toasted muffin.  We visited some of the shops and then headed back to Captiva.
Drinks on the porch with salsa and toast crisps were served prior to game time.  Dinner tonight was steamed mussels with Italian sauce served over linguine with  romaine salad. Wine served was Santa Christina Chianti. We watched the Super Bowl with the New York Giants winning over the Patriots. I fell asleep during the 4th quarter but woke in time to see  the ending.
Today was overcast but in high 70's.  Rained late evening.

We're BACK!!!! 3 Day Trip from Ohio to Florida

Welcome to our Captiva Days Blog.  Al and I are back on Captiva Island for a six weeks stay.  I use this blog as a diary to remember details of our trip so bear with me if some of this is not very interesting.  Warning:  I like to make notes on our meals  so you may get hungry.

Feb 2, 2012  First Day of Drive
We loaded the car yesterday and headed out at 8:30 am. The start of our trip to Captiva Island, Florida began with our first leg of the trip, an 8 hour drive ending in Norris, TN at my brother, Jack’s home. It was a frosty morn in North Canton but was in the 50’s in Norris. It was a lovely day for driving. I had packed a sandwich lunch for the road sono stopping for lunch.
My sister,Cecilia met us for dinner that Jack prepared. Drinks and wine were enjoyed with appetizers of goat cheese spread, warmed brie with fig preserves, and bruschetta with crackers and toast crisps. He was serving a bottle of Knob Creek Bourbon for Al and him to try. He cooked fricassee chicken, risotto with olives and tomatoes, and roasted brussels sprouts with garlic. It was a great family evening and fun for all! Spent the night at the Apartment.

Feb 3, 2012 Second Day of Drive
Up very early and on the road by 7:30 after coffee, juice, and eggs. This leg of the trip is 10 hours of driving and will end in Ocala, Florida. The weather is in the 40’s and the sky is sunny. Another great day for being on the road. We stopped for a quick lunch in Perry, GA at McDonald’s drive thru and gassed the car. Arrived at the Best Western at 6:00 ….located at Exit 350 off I 75. Stayed in room 438, the same room we have for several years.
We dined at a nearby Olive Garden. Al had his traditional dinner Chianti Braised Short Ribs-tender boneless beef short ribs slow cooked in a chianti wine sauce. Served with portobello mushroom risotto and steamed green beans and carrots.  I ordered Braised Beef & Tortelloni-tender sliced short ribs and portobello mushrooms tossed with asiago-filled tortelloni in a basil-marsala sauce. Great salad and dinner except that we were seated between a party of 16 and a table with 2 noisy kids. When we set down, it began at a table in a quiet corner.
Sleeping was good tonight….2 tired people are we.

Feb 4, 2012  Final Day of Drive
Slow start today. We ate the free continental breakfast and started on the way about 10:00. Before heading to I 75, we first bought gas and went through the car wash near the motel. Our last leg of the trip to Captiva is about 4 hours. Another lovely day and the temps are in the hi 70’s reaching 82 at the end of the drive. Traffic and construction slow downs have not been as bad as most trips. We stopped at Sun Harvest Citrus store for citrus and juice. We then shopped for provisions at Publix in Ft. Myers before crossing the causeway to the islands. We arrived at our final destination at 3:30.

After unpacking the car (which I must add was packed to the hilt after shopping), we headed to one of our favorite spots Lazy Flamingo for dinner at the bar. This is a local hang out and has great food. We ordered oysters on the half shell and shared the fried oyster platter and grilled shrimp with Caesar salad. Yum! Yum!
We are so happy to be back on this lovely island and looking forward to total relaxation and fun for six weeks.