First Day of Trip to Captiva 2016

Thursday, Jan 28, 2016
     Al and I are traveling again to Captiva Island for 6 weeks of sun and sand on this beautiful island.   This begins my daily diary/blog of our annual trip to Captiva Island on the west coast of Florida west of Ft. Meyers and Sanibel Island.  I will be writing about our daily activities  and adventures in Florida.  Please join us as we enjoy our stay.

 We left around 8:00 am this morning getting up early at 5:30.  We had packed the car yesterday all except food for the trip and toiletries. The morning was cold but not as bad as last year when we had freezing rain for the first 4 hours of that trip.  We  traveled the same route (paid $6 in tolls) as last year driving on I77 South through West Virginia, Virginia, and the Carolinas with the first overnight stop in Rock Hill, SC.  We did experience some slow down as we traveled through Charlotte NC  and lost some time due to snail speeds.  Our first leg of the drive was 485 miles  and ended about 4:30 at Exit 82 with a right turn into Cherry Rd and a stop at the Quality Inn. We were more pleased with our accommodations this year as the motel has been completely renovated inside and out and furnished with all new furnishings.  And the rate did not even increase.  We stayed in Building 5, Room 170....great location and easy access.  Even the complimentary breakfast was much improved over last year.  We were not disappointed that we gave this place another try after last year's bad experience.

 

 

 

 

We had dinner at the  Mexican restaurant next door, Senor Nacho's, same place as last year.  We enjoyed very good Margaritas (but too big-do small ones if we come back) with warm Nachos and Salsa.   Al ordered Grande Fajita Quesadilla-a big flour tortilla stuffed with chicken, melted cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers and onions, served with lettuce, sour cream and guacamole.  I had Enchiladas del Barrio-three enchiladas with chicken topped with sauce and parmesan cheese served with lettuce, pico de gallo and sour cream.  The sauce was very good and not too hot or spicy.  Both dinners were very good and service was pleasant and friendly.

 I was early to bed to rest for the second day of our journey.  Al was a bit later turning in.  Good start to our trip.

First Day of Trip to Captiva 2015

Thursday, Jan 29, 2015
Please join Al and me as we travel to Captiva Island for 6 weeks of sun and sand on this beautiful island.   This begins my daily diary/blog of our annual trip to Captiva Island on the west coast of Florida west of Ft. Meyers and Sanibel Island.  I will be writing about our daily activities  and adventures in Florida.

 We left around 7:30 am getting up early at 5:30.  We had packed the car yesterday all except food for the trip and toiletries. The morning was cold and the ground was  covered with snow but freezing rain and more snow are predicted for North Canton.  We left just in time to miss the freeze at home but did run into freezing rain about an hour into our drive. The rain lasted about 4 hours of our time on the road. We  traveled the same route (paid $6 in tolls) as last year driving on I77 South through West Virginia, Virginia, and the Carolinas with the first overnight stop in Rock Hill, SC. Our first leg of the drive was 485 miles  and ended about 5:00 at Exit 82 with a right turn into Cherry Rd and a stop at the Quality Inn. We had stayed here before but they are doing a major renovation and we had to stay on the second floor because the first floor was under redo.  The place was a bit of a mess and disarray and we need to rethink next year's spot for a night stay over.

Quality Inn - Rock Hill, SC

 We again, for the second year, had dinner at Senor Nacho's located next door to the inn.  We began with nachos and salsa and margaritas, of course.  Al ordered Beef  Chimichanga covered with a cheese sauce and served with rice and guacamole salad.  He did not like it that well.... not very crispy and beef a bit chewy.  I had Enchiladas del Barrio - 3 chicken ones topped with a red sauce and Parmesan cheese and  served with lettuce, pico de gallo and sour cream.  I would have that again.

Chimichanga

Early to bed to rest for the second day of our journey.