Leaving Ft Myers Beach

A reluctant "Adieu" to Ft Myers Beach. After 5 weeks we will be cruising on to the Florida Keys and I want to leave you with my impressions of this grand area of southwest Florida.
My pre-conceived notion about Ft Myers Beach was it is "just this side of seedy", and some ways, that's still my imression after 5 weeks here. BUT, Tom and I have decided that we like a place with personality, with diversity with a little "edge" to it. We like "ole Florida" where the yellow and pink wooden cottages from the 1950's haven't been torn down to make way for the mega condos; we like Mom and Pop motels with old fashioned neon signs where families return year after year; we like getting a drink at a beach front "tiki bar" where we can watch the sunset; we like being able to walk Kodi on the magnificent beach, we like the public access every third block so everyone can enjoy the ocean front; we like hearing German and French and Spanish spoken as we stroll through town; we like peaking in to "the sunset bar" a colorful beer joint thats been there since the 50's, to see the "regulars" hunched ovcr their drinks, sitting on the same stool everyday. FMB is NOT Naples, or Sannibel or Captiva and maybe that why we like it so much....it is a place that has not been homogenized.
We will miss this place, but our wander lust has struck again and its time to move on. Our next stop will be the Florida Keys by way of Everglade city. We'll keep you posted. If you ever want a taste of Old Florida with fabulous sugar sand wide beaches...come to Ft Myers Beach...we have plenty of recommendations for you!

Pictures from paradise

"What do ya do with a drunken sailor"?

Remember this old sailing "ditty"? What do ya' do with a drunken sailor,What do ya' do with a drunken sailor, what do ya' do with a drunken sailor early in the morning?
Yesterday, about 3 pm a fishing boat towed into our marina, a 20' sailboat with no motor. The fishing boat tied up the sailboat to the dock right next to our boat, and then the two men in the fishing boat took off. The sailboat was filthy dirty, the sail covers tattered, an old bike took up most of the cockpit leaving no room to move around. We wondered how the boat was going to manuever without a motor...as we were speculating, a head popped up through the small hatch, and a very drunk woman arose from the cabin. She staggered to the port side of the boat (nearest us) and gave us a vivid sample of what she had for lunch! Ick!!!!We alerted the marina because the boat was in a slip rented by a friend of ours who had gone out for the day. The dockmaster politely told the "drunken sailor" that she'd have to leave, and the woman started yelling and swearing and then barricaded herself inside her boat....soon the police arrived...a sheriff in bermuda shorts (that always amuses me for some reason) Its hard to take someone seriously when you see their knobby knees...the conversation went like this...knock knock knock..."Mam will you please come out."..no, I don't want to see you naked..."You'll have to put on some clothes, you can't stay here"
The woman finally came out swinging and the police evidently took her home...the boat was towed away.
So, if you picture us idyllically watching the sun rise and set remember the drunken sailor...there is never a dull moment!

"signs of the Loop and Tom and "Diesel Dog"

Spanish-ly Challenged

Correction! The coffee in the previous entry is "Cortadito" not Gordito as stated...Stephanie informs me that gordito is something you order at Taco Bell...that's why we need to listen to those dusty Spanish tapes!
Peace, Love and Happiness
Pam

The Dolphin Dance

Happy 07 to everyone! We've already disposed of the skeletal Christmas decorations we put up, and are ready to enjoy the new year with gusto! Steph, my daughter, and her husband, Bob Walker, just left after a wonderful weeks' stay. We drove them to Miami where they caught their flight back to Los Angeles...Miami is a FABULOUS city. The 4 of us braved the South Beach crowds early on New Year's Eve, and strolled past blocks of Euro style outdoor cafes. Ocean drive, the wide boulevard between the many hotels and the beach, is closed for New years Eve and the streets were full of roller-bladders, people on scooters, other touristas, and THE beautiful people. We
enjoyed watching everyone as they crowded South Beach in preparation for the big night's celebrations...However, we did not want to get caught in the mayhem so, we then proceeded to "Little Havana" for a cup of "gordito Regular" (Cuban Coffee) and a beef empanada...Steph is fluent in Espanol so it made it fun for us as she rattled off our orders in Spanish (guess we'll have to dust off our Spanish tapes if we want to spend more time in Miami) We were the only Anglos at the coffee house, Versailles, which serves as a gethering place for the many Cubans living in Miami. It's a restaurant, bakery, and catering service. You can walk up to an outside bar to order your coffee. Many of the Cubans linger outside..visiting with each other.
The Cuban men wore fedoras , smoked cigars and drank the really stong coffee while they chattered animatedly.
The beautiful woman all decked out in gorgeous clothes and high heeled shoes strutted by (eyeing our "crocs" and birkenstocks with disdain) We all love the "vibe" in Miami...its a diverse, interesting beautiful city and Tom and I plan to spend time there when we bring the boat back from the keys....so more later..
While Steph and Bob were aboard "Cloud Nine" we were lucky to be visited by a pod of Dolphins. We were cruising off Pine Island and all of a sudden we looked off the bow and four dolphins were swimming with us...they frolicked and performed for us for about 20 minutes. We all clapped and talked to them as they piroueted for us, hoping the hype about how sensitive and in tune with humans dolphins are is really true. They are beautiful creatures and its a thrill to see them out in the water versus in an aquarium.
We're now back on the boat. It's quiet without the kids, but also time for Tom and I to re-group and have a peaceful night at home...yes, the boat really is home now...Goodnight