Day 20 Captiva

Another cool day spent doing "not much of anything". Al took early walk and then we had some coffee and pastries. I spent some time blogging. We went to dock and sat for couple hours early afternoon watching birds and boaters and fishermen. Bayside is so different now that the Blind Pass is opened again. It is really is too cool to sit on beach but not too bad on the dock since it is a sunny day. Spent rest of day reading and napping. Made a card for a challenge using Photoshop.

Ate in again tonight...pan grilled rib eye steak and had couscous and salad as sides. Fell asleep again watching winter olympics.

Day 19 Captiva

Same weather today...cold and windy. Not much going on today. Al took a walk after coffee. In the afternoon we walked on the beach.....not many people out but most were bundled up to keep warm. We saw 4 kinds of terns...Royal Terns, Caspian Terns, Sandwich Terns, Forster's Terns as well asBlack Skimmers. It is great to see that the waterway is opened again under the bridge separating Sanibel and Captiva. This is the second time since we have been visiting that this opening had to be recreated. We hope it will remain this way since it is such a major operation to do.
Tonight we prepared salmon with a mustard glaze, rice, and asparagus for dinner. Thanks to Al for his cooking and cleaning up every night. I try to help but not that much I can do.

Day 18 Captiva

DDWR

 

 

  

 

 

We were up early today and at DDWR for a drive by 7:30. Sunny morn and not many on the drive this early. Not a great many birds to see but enjoyed the ones we did spot. Seems to be more woodstorks this spring and many roseates at a distance. After drive we had brunch at Island Cow....a busy place with a lot of families. Al had the stuffed French toast and I had eggs and sausage. Served with potatoes, grits, muffins, and fruit. Made stop at Bailey's for salmon, steak, salad,etc for dinners this week. We have decided we prefer Jerry's to shop since they have better produce and wider selections. Made another quick drive thru DDWR...more people and less birds but got a few good photos on 2nd run. Tonight made another filet with wine sauce, baked potato and salad. 

Day 17 Captiva

Today was another lazy day...just relaxing and hanging out. Al took a walk...up to 3 miles. Cooked in...made pasta with shrimp, asparagus, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, and garlic. Served with salad. That's all folks!

Day 16 Captiva

Today is Valentine's Day
 Al made breakfast of cheese omelet, bacon and toast. We then left about 10:00 to go to the Arts and Crafts Show....there was a crowd even though it was on the cold side. Dressed warm in jeans and jackets. Had a lot of jewelry and pottery vendors...not as diversified as in the past. We then went to Tahitian Gardens for the Farmer's Market that is held every Sunday through April. Bought some bread ....we were kind of late to come.....some booths sold out. Will have to come again but earlier. Tonight we prepared our Valentine's dinner instead of going out since restaurants are always very busy and often overbooked. We had beef tenderloin with wine sauce, asparagus with balsamic, baked potatoes, and caeser salad. Was very good..enjoyed the evening meal with Antinori Pinot Noir 2007.

Day 15 Captiva

The rain has stopped and it is sunny today. We had early coffee and drove to DDWR to take advantage of the sunny day. We then went into Sanibel for brunch at The Sanibel Cafe....Al had bagel with lox and I had tomato slices with tuna salad, fruit,and muffin. This is a great restaurant for breakfast and lunch. Shopped the stores here at Tahitian Gardens. New place, Adventures in Paradise, has beautiful clothes, books, and cigars but also sells boating excursions and adventures. Carries Orvis, Patagonia, Exofficio, etc. Al bought jacket and shirt for me for Valentine's. We then went to Jerry's for provisions for Valentine's dinner. Also went to H2O Outfitters where we bought Al's Valentine gift, shirt in a print with wine bottles, which we had seen earlier and he loved it. Saw Wanda who has managed several stores we have shopped over the years. Has been with H2O outfitters for the past few years. Traffic was very heavy on Sanibel because of the Arts and Crafts Show at the Community Center. Ended up going to Lazy Flamingo for dinner. Shared oysters on the half shell, caeser salad and ribs with fries. Was not that busy for a Sat night but we did go early...before 6:00.

Day 14 Captiva

Rainy Day
Today it rained all day...was not a great day to be outside. We spent day reading, watching old movies on TV, and on the computer. We had lunch of sandwiches. We cooked dinner of grouper coated with panko crumbs and pan fried. Was an uneventful day.