Day 4 on Captiva

Another restful morning on the porch with coffee while thinking about the inches of snow at home.  I took a walk to the beach which was very quiet.  I was alone with no birds or people.  And no shells either.

 

 

After lunch of sandwiches on the porch, we spent time at the beach....... a bit breezy.  And then came back to the pool for drinks with homemade salsa and chips.

Dinner tonight at Doc Ford's in Captiva.   We shared a dozen Fresh Gulf oysters, shucked to order and served chilled with fresh lemon and cocktail sauce.  I ordered  Calamari Salad-lightly battered calamari tossed with mixed Everglades greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, a sweet and sour vinaigrette dressing and topped with crispy wontons.  I always order this salad.  Al had Mussels steamed in a broth of roasted garlic, shallots, Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, white zinfandel and a hint of cream and butter.  We shared our orders and really enjoyed our dinner.  I must find the recipe for the mussels dish...it was scrumptious!

Day 3 on Captiva

After coffee and sweet rolls on the porch,  we headed to Ding Darling Wildlife Drive to check out the birds.  Did not leave too early but it was low tide and a lot of birds were feeding.   We spotted the usual herons, Reddish Egrets and large flocks of White Pelicans but not too many smaller shorebirds. Sharing some of the photos that I took on the drive.

 White Pelicans

 

 

 Immature Heron

 Black Crowned Night Heron

 Anhinga

Little Green Heron

Ibis

White Heron

A fisherman showed me this fish but I forgot the name......maybe scissor fish??

 

We drove over to Bailey's Center and picked up some more provisions including snapper for tonight's dinner, some pastries, bagel, bread, etc.   Back to the cottage for brunch of  scrambled eggs, bacon,  and bagel.  Enjoyed the afternoon poolside reading, sunning, and napping.

 

For dinner we prepared snapper with a panko coating and served with red lettuce salad with radishes, tomatoes, onions and Parmesan cheese with  my homemade dressing.  W enjoyed with glasses of wine.

Day 2 on Captiva

A beautiful sunny morning after a restful night began on the porch with coffee and pastries.  Al was up early and enjoyed doing surveys on the porch.  I took an early walk to the beach but I was the only one there....not even a single shore bird was in sight. 
Construction of a new house is going on the property next to us...the opposite side of the cottage from the eagle's nest.   The crew arrived about 8 but not too much noise except for some trucks backing in.
We spent a relaxing day hanging out at the cottage.  I set up my "Studio" for card making  in the downstairs suite. 

Eagle's Nest

I served Clam Chowder (from can) for a light lunch on the porch.  Enjoyed the computer surfing and reading on the porch most of the day just resting and relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Guardo, the handy man, was here most of the day repairing the fence around the property and the gazebo stand at the pool.  He also moved the grill to a more convenient spot outside and replaced the propane tank.   Margarethe, the owner, was also here doing some work on the grounds and removing the netting around the gazebo which she is replacing.

We moved to the pool for our drinks around 4 .... that was as far as we went today.

 For dinner on the porch, we grilled chicken breasts and  served with mashed red potatoes and  arugula, tomato, and mozzarella salad and vinaigrette.

Day 1 on Captiva

Today we were up around 7 and enjoyed coffee and pastries on the porch which overlooks the pool.  It looked to be a bit cloudy but warm day.  Around 10, we drove into Sanibel to shop at the Farmer's Market, one of our fave Sunday things to do.  The Market was very crowded and busy and had more vendors than in previous years.  We bought tomatoes, red peppers,  jalapenos, Brussel sprouts, mushrooms, lettuce, radishes, mozzarella cheese, lemon, limes, strawberries, basil plant and fresh flowers. 

 

After gathering all those great fresh food, we went back to the cottage for lunch of sandwiches and chips and iced tea on the porch.  By the time we drove back, the mist/fog had burned away.  We did a quick walk over to the beach to check out the access path.  Nothing much happening. We enjoyed sitting by the pool and watching the eagles at the nest in the tree on the neighbor's property.  Had gin and tonics here before dinner on the porch. 

For dinner, Al grilled a steak and potato quarters but had trouble getting the grill hot.  Served with mushrooms and salad of arugula, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese with balsamic vinaigrette.

Arrival on Captiva Island

This morning we left Ocala for the last leg of our trip about 250 miles to Captiva at about 8:30 after breakfast at the Best Western and a stop for gas. 

We had an uneventful drive to Ft Myers with only one slow down because of an accident on the opposite side of the interstate...cars slowed down to look.   Lot of construction in progress on I 75 but not working today. The day was sunny and warm ...in the 70's. We arrived in Ft, Myers about noon and stopped to fill up gas and a car wash at  1st Class Car Center on Gladiolus Drive.  We then stopped for lunch at a nearby Burger King.  Al had a Hot Dog (new to the menu) and I had a Fish Sandwich.

 

We then stopped at Publix for supplies...this place is always so busy on Saturday. We spent about an hour getting provisions .  After spending $200, we had most of what we needed but will buy more produce tomorrow at the Farmer's Market. Al bought some liquor at store next to the grocery.

 

 

 

We arrived at Captiva Cottage 16969 Captiva Drive about 3:00.

 

 

This is our first time to stay at the Cottage.  Click here for more photos.  The cottage has a great pool and this property is more private and is also just across the road from the beach, about the same distance to walk as the guest house where we've stayed for many years.  More details about the cottage later.

 

We unpacked and settled in.  We enjoyed drinks on the porch and then prepared a easy dinner of fresh Sushi from Publix and  P.F. Chang Beef and  Broccoli (frozen dinner) with rice.   

Glad to be here in Paradise for six weeks.

Second Day of Travel to Captiva

We rose early around 5:30-6:00 , dressed, packed the car, and had a quick breakfast in the motel lobby.  Had  waffle(Al), bagel, juice, and coffee.  Remember Room # 232 for next time we stay here.  All personnel are very helpful and friendly at the desk.
After filling up with gas across the street right next to the ramp, we were on the road by 7:30 headed to our next stop in Ocala, FL.  We stopped at a Chick-fil-a for lunch which was the quickest service that we ever had.

This was a picture of a rest stop as we entered the state of Florida.

We arrived at the Best Western in Ocala about 5:00 without any traffic jams or slow ups. Smoothest trip in a long time. Our room # 136 was on the first floor near the exit at the end of the hall.

We had dinner at Olive Garden in the bar as the restaurant was very busy with a long line waiting for tables.  I had Linguine di Mare- Shrimp and mussels sautéed with homemade pomodoro sauce and whole grain linguine and Al had Chianti Braised Beef & Ricotta Gnocchi-twice braised beef in a Chianti red wine sauce served over light ricotta gnocchi in a creamy carbonara sauce.

First Day of Travel to Captiva

 Thursday, Feb 2, 2017
      Hello and welcome! 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. This is my first post since our last Captiva trip in 2016.

 We left around 8:00 am in the morning getting up early at 5:30.  We had packed the car yesterday all except food for the trip, computers, and toiletries. The morning was a cold 24 degrees and a bit snowy.  The sky was cloudy and remained that way  all day.   Our first stop was Farragut, TN to visit Cecilia, my sister.  We arrived at the motel about 4:30 and checked in at the Super 8 at 11748 Snyder Road, right off  I75. 

 

We then headed to Cecilia's and then to a fun dinner at Calhoun's. 

 Al had Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Q ribs(half slab) served with slaw and baked beans.  Cecilia and I both had Southern-Fried Catfish and Spinach Maria which is the best spinach!!!  I ordered the Macadamia Nut Banana Pudding with 3 spoons....it was a huge dessert (more than we three could eat) and outrageously delicious!

We had a great evening with Cecilia and look forward to another visit with her on our return in 6 weeks.
More Travel to come tomorrow.