February 1, 2008
What do you do for lunch during February in Florida....you take a boat ride to the bayside of Fort Myers Beach. Our favorite water front cafe is Salty Sam's at Parrot Key for lunch by boat. We do this trip about once or twice a month, weather permitting, or when friends are visiting. There are lots of great places to go on the water around here within 60 miles north or south of us. But many are so far away that it's a $300 boat ride now due to gas prices on the water. Kind of takes the fun out of it, so we've been sticking a little closer to home...Ft. Myers Beach is only an hour away.
This series of photos were just randomly taken as we left the house today, went through our canal out to the river (5 min.) down the river to the Sanibel bridge (30 min.) and then across the Gulf to Estero Island and Fort Myers Beach (15 min.), then along the back bay of the island to the restaurant. (1 hr. total) Here's a Google map of the area so you can get an idea of the distances and relationship to Sanibel, the river, and were we are in Whiskey Creek.
Click on any photo to enlarge.
Leaving the dock behind our house in Whiskey Creek
Easing down through our neighborhood via Whiskey Creek to the river (5 min.)
Heading out into the Caloosahatchee river (It's 2.5 mi. wide at this point near the house), where we can run 35 mph., between speed zones. You can't really open up the engines until you hit the Gulf due to speed restrictions, which are a pain, but lots to look at along the way. Heck, you can make a day out of it just looking at all the nice homes along the river.
Moving down the river toward the Gulf of Mexico on a Friday. There isn't as much boat traffic as we would have on a weekend.
Heading away from the Cape Coral bridge we move along toward the Sanibel bridge at the mouth of the river. There is a Manatee slow zone at the mouth of the river that lets us pass from the river to the Sanibel causeway so you can stare at the other boaters or catch sight of Ospreys and Dolphin (Flipper!)
The Sanibel bridge at the causeway was only recently rebuilt and is being finished up so we ease through the construction zone heading out into the Gulf of Mexico where we can open up the engines and hightail it over to the beach. (Key West is 120 mi. due southwest from this point.)
Note the marine patrol guy (below right) hiding under the Sanibel bridge, trying to catch speeders I guess. We've been stopped in the river recently by the Federal Homeland Security officers in a 38 ft. off-shore go-fast boat and quizzed about where we were from and where we were going. Apparently the program is to check on anyone in a go-fast boat because Cuban smugglers out of Miami have been stealing boats like ours to make runs to smuggle in Cuban refugees. They land them on Sanibel island to the right of the bridge and then take off. The feds were very nice about it when they stopped us. Can't say the same for the state Marine Patrol as they give out tickets for making a wake. Apparently Manatee's don't like wakes!
Sanibel light house is in the distance (below left) as we come out from under the Sanibel bridge, Fort Myers Beach in the distance. (below right)
Running out into the Gulf and crossing over to the beach, seas were 2 to 3 ft., wind blowing 10 to 15 knots. Running 50 mph is interesting in those conditions, and makes it tough to take photos that show the boat flying through the air as we come off the waves. Best part of the boat trip!
Below is the entrance to the backside of the island (Fort Myers Beach is a barrier island joined to the mainland by two bridges.) Then making our way under the beach bridge. Beach houses lean toward high-funk, different kind of folks down there.
Dolphin surfacing (below left) in the back bay area being closely watched by a small white dog on the top of the large boat.
Passing under the beach bridge connecting the mainland to the island. Note the para-sail (middle below) and the price of gas on the water. Typically low-lead at marinas is at least 50 to 60 cents higher than on the road.
Shrimp fleet docks at the beach as we make our way over to the restaurant.
Approaching the restaurant in the back bay area of the island after passing the shrimp boats and docks.
We had blackened Grouper sandwiches with sweet potato fries and no, we didn't have the umbrella drinks!
Back home with the boat washed and on the lift behind the house.
Total time: 3 hours...Cost: priceless