Update From the Sunshine Sate
July 11th, 2006
I have been lazy lately in the realm of blogging so I thought I would try and catch you up on my first couple of weeks of living in Florida. It’s defiantly been hot, muggy, and rainy. As they keep saying it’s the rainy season here in Florida. The rain is very interesting and really all depends on the way the winds blow (isn’t that’s what they all say). About three weeks ago when I moved to Florida the local news station was saying that Lee County (the county that I live in) is just about 3 inches below the normal rain fall. Well since that report rain has fallen and it has fallen in buckets. We are now just about 3 inches over the average. At times I think I’m going to have to build an arch. I think more rain has fallen since I have been here than all summer in NY.
When it’s not raining Jen and I have been adventurous. Well if that’s what you want to call it. We have tried to get out on the weekends and have visited the following places:
Only one of these places we like, maybe two. On July 4th we decided that we were going to run over to Sanibel and Captive Island, hang out by the beach and see the islands that everyone talks glorious about and then check out there fireworks display. These plans didn’t go the way we would have liked them to. The islands aren’t all that great; at least not what everyone makes them out to be. First off you have to pay $6.00 to enter the island over the only bridge. Once on the island there are only limited parking areas for public parking and the cost is $2.00 per hour. This was very surprising. So we decided to take a drive around. After just under two hours of exploring we headed back to Fort Myers, first stopping at The Bubble Room for some lunch. That didn’t sit well in my stomach, and I wouldn’t recommend eating there. For the most part the island was boring, and very naturist, more for the future hippies in the world. However, since we didn’t see the fireworks that night at Sanibel we decided to head over to Riverside (Downtown Fort Myers) and see there fireworks and band.
Really the only place that we like is Fort Myers Beach. It’s more hip and more geared towards our age range. It’s lots of fun with plenty to do. Unlike Naples Beach, if you are hot or need a bit to eat you don’t have to get in your car and drive somewhere, just pick up your wallet and go to a bar for something quick. Naples is alright, it’s more of a getaway trip. It’s expensive but the beach is spread out and quite.
For Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda it wasn’t so great. Though we didn’t know what to expect before we got there we found out it was mostly an older people hangout with shops and restaurants.
I have to say that I am very surprised. At first I didn’t think I was going to like living in Florida. So far I love it. The weather is ok, like I said before it’s the rainy season and it rains every day. The winter months should be great though. As we settle in we are going to be taking more adventures. We have been thinking about the following:
- Shuttle Launch in Cape Canaveral
- Key West
- Miami
- Everglades
- New Orleans has come up in conversation. One to see the destruction and two to go to a jazz fest of Mardi Gras.
If you have any suggestions please comment. We are willing to try anything.
World Traveler said:
My recommendation is if you are feeling like a low-key trip north. Go to Clearwater and eat at Frenchy’s. Have the grouper burger. They have built a fancy Frency’s on the beach and that is lovely and tropical but I am partial to the “original” Frenchy’s which is on a side street two blocks from Clearwater beach. It is a hole in the wall but has a fun atmosphere..less posh and more beachy. Of course, your meal isn’t complete unless your put Margaritaville on the Jukebox.
Another trip you might enjoy is to tool around the touristy shops and greek gyro stands in Tarpon Springs. They have a great deal of natural sponges there. It is a fun place to thrift shop. At least, it used to be..when I was 12. I haven’t been back in awhile.
If you end up at Bradenton, go to Holmes Beach and make sure you eat at the falling down shack across the street from the pavillion. You could float on the grease from the burgers. It is priceless and tasty!
Have fun!