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Fort Myers Beach's Best Kept Secret
Hello and thank you for visiting the original Captain's Blog! Today I would like to share with you a "local secret" here on Fort Myers Beach - Bowditch Point Regional Park.
This 17 acre park and preserve located at the northern tip of Estero Island is my favorite place to go on Fort Myers Beach. Gulf front is more active while still providing a relaxed atmosphere for walkers,swimmers and sunbathers. Walking trails, through the restoration/preserve area, carry you through varied environments and offers an excellent opportunity for bird watching while being highlighted by panoramic views of Estero Bay.
The park area also features tables and grills, available on a first come first served basis, in a shaded tropical setting sure to please any picnicker. A concession area offers visitors a place to rest, a variety of food items, gifts and souvenirs. Restroom and changingfacilities are available as well.
Very Educational
Sunrise view from Bowditch Park - Can it get any better?
The HattyCat rounding the northernmost point of Fort Myers Beach's Bowditch Park
Bowditch Park from the water! There are three birds in this photo, can you find them?
Bowditch Park's resident Osprey. Sitting here more often than not.
We have even seen our good friends Chris and Jeanie get married here at Bowditch Park.
Simply put, this is the best kept secret on Fort Myers Beach. I love this place!
Please check out our website at http://www.sunsetride.com or see us on Facebook.
This 17 acre park and preserve located at the northern tip of Estero Island is my favorite place to go on Fort Myers Beach. Gulf front is more active while still providing a relaxed atmosphere for walkers,swimmers and sunbathers. Walking trails, through the restoration/preserve area, carry you through varied environments and offers an excellent opportunity for bird watching while being highlighted by panoramic views of Estero Bay.
The park area also features tables and grills, available on a first come first served basis, in a shaded tropical setting sure to please any picnicker. A concession area offers visitors a place to rest, a variety of food items, gifts and souvenirs. Restroom and changingfacilities are available as well.
We have even seen our good friends Chris and Jeanie get married here at Bowditch Park.
Simply put, this is the best kept secret on Fort Myers Beach. I love this place!
Please check out our website at http://www.sunsetride.com or see us on Facebook.
Mushroom Cloud over Fort Myers Beach!!!
What a spectacular sight! Terresa took this picture as we were leaving her sister's place over in North Fort Myers.
Then, when we got home, it was all over the news stations. People all over Lee County were calling the news station wondering what was going on in the sky. According to Tom Johnston of Fox 4 News it is a pretty rare weather occurrence when you have moisture down low and dry air all around everywhere else and cool air up top. When all this happens and then a thunderstorm tries to form, a huge mushroom cloud formation occurs. Very Cool!
That is Terresa's Sis Gwen and her grand daughter Precious Presley in the parking lot.
check out more great photos at http://www.sunsetride.com
or see us on Facebook at SunSetRide
Then, when we got home, it was all over the news stations. People all over Lee County were calling the news station wondering what was going on in the sky. According to Tom Johnston of Fox 4 News it is a pretty rare weather occurrence when you have moisture down low and dry air all around everywhere else and cool air up top. When all this happens and then a thunderstorm tries to form, a huge mushroom cloud formation occurs. Very Cool!
check out more great photos at http://www.sunsetride.com
or see us on Facebook at SunSetRide
Lookout Captains!
Lookout Florida Captains!
I have just interviewed a new Captain and although he is a little young, he handles the boat flawlessly.
check out more great photos at http://www.sunsetride.com
or see us on Facebook at SunSetRide
I have just interviewed a new Captain and although he is a little young, he handles the boat flawlessly.
check out more great photos at http://www.sunsetride.com
or see us on Facebook at SunSetRide
If you are planning on coming to Southwest Florida you must read this...
Hello and thank you for reading the original Captain's Blog, brought to you by SunSetRide - Private Dolphin, Manatee and Shelling off Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island.
It doesn't matter if you live here or are coming to visit for your first time, please try to pick up the first book (Sanibel Flats) in the series of novels by Randy Wayne White about Doc Ford and get a taste of Southwest Florida like you've never experienced before.
Randy Wayne White is the real deal my friends! He began writing novels while working as a fishing guide on Sanibel Island and still lives on Pine Island just a few miles from Cabbage Key on Florida's Southwest Coast.
Randy is best known for his series of crime novels featuring the retired NSA agent Doc Ford, a marine biologist living on the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida.
The Doc Ford novels are listed in order below. I am currently on "North of Havana" and let me tell you that the way Randy Wayne White describes Southwestern Florida is amazing! Reading these books, you will smell the salt in the air and feel the cool Gulf breezes as the roll onto Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and neighboring barrier islands.
Sanibel Flats (which, by the way was chosen as one of the 100 Best Mysteries of the 20th Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association)
The Heat Islands
The Man Who Invented Florida
Captiva
North of Havana
The Mangrove Coast
Ten Thousand Islands
Shark River
Twelve Mile Limit
Everglades
Tampa Burn
Dead of Night
Dark Light
Hunter's Moon
Black Widow
Dead Silence
There are two Doc Ford's restaurants in the area, one on Sanibel Island and the other newly opened location right here on Fort Myers Beach. The Sanibel location is not on the water (so we couldn't bring charters there for lunch), but the Fort Myers Beach location is right on the water!!! And for good reason, this restaurant has surpassed Gramma Dots as the number one favorite lunch stop on our charters. The food is out of this world, the drinks are amazing, and you can pick up any of Randy's books, cookbooks, famous hot sauces, t-shirts etc... It's a great place to be seen!
Approaching the Matanzas Pass Bridge (Doc Fords is under the bridge to the left)
Fort Myers Beach has it's own Doc Fords!!! Finally!
First Mate Terresa enjoying a ceviche appetizer and with a Bloody Mary to wash it down. Don't worry, it is her day off - It's Labor Day!
Chase and Ashley enjoying a Miami Vice, a cross between a Rum Runner and Pina Colada.
Great Salads at Doc Fords!
It doesn't matter if you live here or are coming to visit for your first time, please try to pick up the first book (Sanibel Flats) in the series of novels by Randy Wayne White about Doc Ford and get a taste of Southwest Florida like you've never experienced before.
Randy Wayne White is the real deal my friends! He began writing novels while working as a fishing guide on Sanibel Island and still lives on Pine Island just a few miles from Cabbage Key on Florida's Southwest Coast.
Randy is best known for his series of crime novels featuring the retired NSA agent Doc Ford, a marine biologist living on the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida.
The Doc Ford novels are listed in order below. I am currently on "North of Havana" and let me tell you that the way Randy Wayne White describes Southwestern Florida is amazing! Reading these books, you will smell the salt in the air and feel the cool Gulf breezes as the roll onto Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and neighboring barrier islands.
Sanibel Flats (which, by the way was chosen as one of the 100 Best Mysteries of the 20th Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association)
The Heat Islands
The Man Who Invented Florida
Captiva
North of Havana
The Mangrove Coast
Ten Thousand Islands
Shark River
Twelve Mile Limit
Everglades
Tampa Burn
Dead of Night
Dark Light
Hunter's Moon
Black Widow
Dead Silence
There are two Doc Ford's restaurants in the area, one on Sanibel Island and the other newly opened location right here on Fort Myers Beach. The Sanibel location is not on the water (so we couldn't bring charters there for lunch), but the Fort Myers Beach location is right on the water!!! And for good reason, this restaurant has surpassed Gramma Dots as the number one favorite lunch stop on our charters. The food is out of this world, the drinks are amazing, and you can pick up any of Randy's books, cookbooks, famous hot sauces, t-shirts etc... It's a great place to be seen!
Great day on the boat with twins from Cincinatti!!!
Hello and thank you for reading the original Captain's Blog, brought to you by SunSetRide - Private Dolphin, Manatee and Shelling off Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island.
We had a great day on the water yesterday with the McConnells! Terresa took these pictures of their 6 month old twins, who had such a wonderful time seeing dolphins and just having a great day on the water. It was overcast yesterday, which made it very nice for the babies.
They couldn't have ordered up a better day!!!
We had a great day on the water yesterday with the McConnells! Terresa took these pictures of their 6 month old twins, who had such a wonderful time seeing dolphins and just having a great day on the water. It was overcast yesterday, which made it very nice for the babies.
They couldn't have ordered up a better day!!!
The Birds of Periwinkle Trailer Park on Sanibel Island
Hello and thank you for reading the original Captain's Blog, brought to you by SunSetRide - Private Dolphin, Manatee and Shelling off Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island.
For the last five or so years we have been enjoying the bird sanctuary located in the Periwinkle Trailer Park and Campground.
Terresa and I found it by accident one Sunday afternoon we had brought our bicycles over to Sanibel to enjoy it's miles and miles of paradise bike paths. I have never been to Hawaii, but imagine it must be this beautiful!!!
We plan on packing a tent and heading over there for some camping and relaxing real soon, but it definitely needs to cool off before we can "tent it".
If finding great island attractions is your interest, the PeriwinkleTrailer Park and Campground offers you everything of Sanibel. Inparticular, this Sanibel Island camping ground has long been consideredas a bird lover’s delight mainly for the reason that Periwinkle TrailerPark and Campground features a number of species of exotic and nativebirds, including toucans and macaws, plus their brown and ringtaillemurs, adding a mix to their aviary. Most of these birds are big talkers. They say things like "whats upppppp" or "see you later" or "hey come back" "don't go yet". It really is a hoot!!!
If you visit Sanibel, you should try to stop by there for a look see.
Camping on Sanibel Island is not permitted in any of the island’s preserves, but it is available at a commercial campground on the island. So for those who are seeking encounter with nature, Sanibel Island has a wonderful state park that offers both tent camping and RV sites with full hookups – the Periwinkle Trailer Park and Campground.
The Periwinkle Trailer Park and Campground is by far the only active camping site in the island of Sanibel, Florida. It is a commercial campground located near a big island attraction, point five of a mile to the Gulf beaches. It is named “Periwinkle” as this Sanibel Island camping site is located at the Periwinkle Way of Sanibel Island, Florida.As a well-known Sanibel Island camping ground, the Periwinkle Trailer Park and Campground offers an array of Sanibel Island camping sites including full hookup recreational vehicle sites, tent sites, and sites for motorhomes. Also, this Sanibel Island camping ground and trailer park offers the campers hot showers, laundry facilities, picnic tables and a pavilion for them to enjoy everything that Sanibel has to offer.
Furthermore, Periwinkle Trailer Park and Campground offers accommodations for their campers from motorhomes to tents and everything in between. The camping sites are just a 10-minute walk to the island’s white sandy beaches covered with a variety of seashells, and all of their camping sites are equipped with the necessary amenities, such as complete hookups, picnic tables, restrooms or showers, laundry, ice, LP gas, pavilion for private and public function, beach, golf, shops and dining all within walking distance.
In terms of their accommodations, note that this Sanibel Island camping ground offers complete electrical, water and sewer hookups for your recreational vehicles. They also have a number of tent sites that are all secluded or available with shades for the convenience of their campers.
For more great pictures and stories you can also check out SunSetRide on Facebook by clicking here.
For the last five or so years we have been enjoying the bird sanctuary located in the Periwinkle Trailer Park and Campground.
Terresa and I found it by accident one Sunday afternoon we had brought our bicycles over to Sanibel to enjoy it's miles and miles of paradise bike paths. I have never been to Hawaii, but imagine it must be this beautiful!!!
We plan on packing a tent and heading over there for some camping and relaxing real soon, but it definitely needs to cool off before we can "tent it".
If finding great island attractions is your interest, the PeriwinkleTrailer Park and Campground offers you everything of Sanibel. Inparticular, this Sanibel Island camping ground has long been consideredas a bird lover’s delight mainly for the reason that Periwinkle TrailerPark and Campground features a number of species of exotic and nativebirds, including toucans and macaws, plus their brown and ringtaillemurs, adding a mix to their aviary. Most of these birds are big talkers. They say things like "whats upppppp" or "see you later" or "hey come back" "don't go yet". It really is a hoot!!!
If you visit Sanibel, you should try to stop by there for a look see.
The Periwinkle Trailer Park and Campground is by far the only active camping site in the island of Sanibel, Florida. It is a commercial campground located near a big island attraction, point five of a mile to the Gulf beaches. It is named “Periwinkle” as this Sanibel Island camping site is located at the Periwinkle Way of Sanibel Island, Florida.As a well-known Sanibel Island camping ground, the Periwinkle Trailer Park and Campground offers an array of Sanibel Island camping sites including full hookup recreational vehicle sites, tent sites, and sites for motorhomes. Also, this Sanibel Island camping ground and trailer park offers the campers hot showers, laundry facilities, picnic tables and a pavilion for them to enjoy everything that Sanibel has to offer.
Furthermore, Periwinkle Trailer Park and Campground offers accommodations for their campers from motorhomes to tents and everything in between. The camping sites are just a 10-minute walk to the island’s white sandy beaches covered with a variety of seashells, and all of their camping sites are equipped with the necessary amenities, such as complete hookups, picnic tables, restrooms or showers, laundry, ice, LP gas, pavilion for private and public function, beach, golf, shops and dining all within walking distance.
In terms of their accommodations, note that this Sanibel Island camping ground offers complete electrical, water and sewer hookups for your recreational vehicles. They also have a number of tent sites that are all secluded or available with shades for the convenience of their campers.
For more great pictures and stories you can also check out SunSetRide on Facebook by clicking here.
Another Great Day with Samuel!!!
Hello and thank you for reading the original Captain's Blog, brought to you by SunSetRide - Private Dolphin, Manatee and Shelling off Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island.
This was our third trip out with Rick, Lisa and Samuel - 2007, 2008, and 2009. Looking forward to many more trips with the Browns!
2007
2008
2009
Amazing Dolphins!!!
You can also check us out on our Facebook page by clicking here - SunSetRide Facebook Page.
This was our third trip out with Rick, Lisa and Samuel - 2007, 2008, and 2009. Looking forward to many more trips with the Browns!
2007
2008
You can also check us out on our Facebook page by clicking here - SunSetRide Facebook Page.
Popping the Question with Dolphin Fanfare!!!!
Thank you for checking out the original Captain's Blog!
What a great day on the water today!!!
Jesse chartered us with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend Crystal...
Crystal has no idea what is in store...
Notice no ring on her finger.... yet
Dolphins must know what is coming because they are putting on such an amazing display of acrobatics...
And..... She said YES!!!!!!
What a great day on the water today!!!
Jesse chartered us with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend Crystal...
Crystal has no idea what is in store...
Notice no ring on her finger.... yet
Dolphins must know what is coming because they are putting on such an amazing display of acrobatics...
And..... She said YES!!!!!!
Pray for our Fabulous First Mate
Hello and thank you for viewing the original Captain's Blog!
Our fabulous first mate Terresa recently slipped on a wet dock and was left hanging from the railing of the boat pinned between the boat and the dock. Miraculously, she was able to make it back onto the dock, however her rotator cuff was torn badly and MRI's did not look good. She ended up having surgery a few days ago and they put in two titanium screws into her shoulder with six strings to reattach the muscle to the shoulder and also removed a huge bone spur. She is doing okay, but in tremendous pain only tolerable by taking painkillers every 4 hours. Nurse Hatfield is doing the best he can to keep her comfortable
As far as charters go, Captain Steve and Captain Jay are doing them "solo" and doing great, but we sure miss our Fabulous First Mate Terresa. She will be out for about a month.
She will kill me for putting these pics on here, but that is just the paparazzi in me!!!
Going into surgery
Recovering...
Nice view for recovering...
Our fabulous first mate Terresa recently slipped on a wet dock and was left hanging from the railing of the boat pinned between the boat and the dock. Miraculously, she was able to make it back onto the dock, however her rotator cuff was torn badly and MRI's did not look good. She ended up having surgery a few days ago and they put in two titanium screws into her shoulder with six strings to reattach the muscle to the shoulder and also removed a huge bone spur. She is doing okay, but in tremendous pain only tolerable by taking painkillers every 4 hours. Nurse Hatfield is doing the best he can to keep her comfortable
As far as charters go, Captain Steve and Captain Jay are doing them "solo" and doing great, but we sure miss our Fabulous First Mate Terresa. She will be out for about a month.
She will kill me for putting these pics on here, but that is just the paparazzi in me!!!
Going into surgery
Iguana Mia!!!
Hello and thank you for viewing the original Captain's Blog!
We are starting to see more and more of these Jurassic Park Creatures on our charters. We spotted this five footer on a seawall just North of our home here on Fort Myers Beach! Can you imagine going out to check the mailbox and meeting this feller in your yard?
We are starting to see more and more of these Jurassic Park Creatures on our charters. We spotted this five footer on a seawall just North of our home here on Fort Myers Beach! Can you imagine going out to check the mailbox and meeting this feller in your yard?