Even off-season, the cost to stay on Captiva Island was prohibitive, so I chose St. James City, across the water on Pine Island, instead.
The two mile stretch of water between Pine Island and Sanibel/ Captiva became a 90-minute drive resembling a Fibonacci sequence.
This was my first trip to Captiva and Sanibel. I was taken with the rugged beauty of the beaches.
Considering my fondness for lighthouses, where do you think I stopped first?
The skeletal 98-foot structure at the east end of Sanibel was unimpressive, but I did give extra points for Lighthouse Beach, which surrounded it.
As I headed toward the brilliant green-gray surf, this little guy scuttled across my path. Is it a box turtle?
Although it’s mid-September, the planned-emic is still in full swing, and we are all tiring of it.
This group appears to have seen its shadow and are declaring 6 more weeks of summer.
Apparently the $5/ hour parking fee includes mats on the beach…
The walking trails brought me past unique flora and fauna. From a distance, this tree resembled pottery.
I’d never seen such gorgeous coconut palms. They were so heavily-laden with fruit.
I appreciated the maps that updated my location, and the colorful diagrams of all the native shells.
The live sand dollar is a dark purplish color and only turns white after death. Live shelling is prohibited here. This is neither my hand, nor my urchin.
I had only paid for one hour, but on the way back to the parking lot, I stopped where all the action was.
John and his friends were having a fishing competition.
Can you find these species on the chart below? (Top: Spanish mackerel, Bottom: Red Snapper and (2) Whiting)
I headed west towards Captiva. It was very warm for September, but the day could not have been any prettier.
Sanibel’s 12-mile length delighted the beach bum in me, and I pulled off the road often.
Not sure if it was due to the lateness of the season or the Covid scare, but Sanibel’s beaches were nearly deserted.
On Captiva, the Mucky Duck was closed, so I conducted surveillance (trespassed is such an ugly word!) at the private beach behind.
A quick look left and right confirmed my suspicions… deserted. The only thing moving was the stingray.
For all its pretentious dignity, Captiva was not without its share of colorful kitsch. It just cost more here.
The strip of water separating Sanibel from her skinnier sister Captiva is called Blind Pass.
The beach here is supposed to be great for shelling. Of course, I had to climb down there to check it out…
The sign in the middle warns boaters of a ‘no wake’ zone. I doubt the Ty-D-Bol man could get under that bridge…
Watch the 30-second clip from the corny 1977 Ty-D-Bol ad campaign below.
One of my favorite wildflowers. What say you? Are these Susans brown-eyed or black-eyed??
Back on Sanibel, there was no shortage of colorful establishments, mostly closed.
The Atlantic Basin had already experienced an abnormally active hurricane season. On this day, five named storms were churning.
Certainly this cottage appeared ready to set sail…
As the Sanibel causeway came into view, I was ready to head back to Pine Island. Well, almost…
The Matlacha Pass drawbridge connects Pine Island with the mainland in Cape Coral.
After driving through the frenzy that was downtown Cape Coral, the peace of Matlacha Pass was a soothing balm.
Matlacha’s (mat-la-SHAY) name is Seminole for Big Warrior. It belies her diminutive stature, but she makes up for it with her huge personality.
I totally enjoyed the creativity and artistic license displayed virtually everywhere I looked.
These colorful tiny houses were getting some TLC.
Looks like a fun place to stay. I would definitely consider this for myself in the future.
These finger-like canals lead out to the intracoastal waterway and eventually, to the Gulf of Mexico.
Artistic Leoma Lovegrove loves our president, Donald Trump!
The dazzling sunlight highlighted and emphasized the unique one-offs in this amazing place.
I’ve never seen so much colorful aquatica in one place.
Anyone else on brightness overload?
When I drove by this guy and thought he was real, I knew I needed to get out of the sun. Tomorrow’s another day.
If paradise exists, I believe it could be somewhere around here. How can one possibly improve on this topography?
What about breakfast? Perfect Cup ranked high on TripAdvisor for a quaint atmosphere and good coffee.
The lot was full, so I parked the Jeep out back. Right next to the, er, smaller cars.
The coffee was sumptuous; my omelet scrumptious. This morning, there was nothing that didn’t delight me.
Even the textured walls in the ladies’ room were phenomenal. I do believe that’s a first for me.
Bokeelia is the northernmost town on Pine Island, opposite from southernmost St. James City, where I was staying.
Bokeelia pier is one of several that jut north into Charlotte Harbor. It was a blue you’d find in very deep water.
The manatee is an endangered species. These were actually the first warnings I had seen since I came to the area.
Across the road, Cap’n Con’s Fish House, a local fixture, was serving up fresh local seafood, but I had just had breakfast.
As I continued to explore, I came down a road that showed signs of flooding, so I proceeded with caution.
It’s been raining a lot, and much of Pine Island is below sea level. I was happy to depart for higher elevation.
This week, Eta made her way up the coast to my new home in NC, flooding my 600 foot long driveway and the surrounding farm land.
I had to leave in this mess to pick up a friend at the airport. Thank God for 4-wheel drive.
To date, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has seen 31 tropical cyclones, 30 named storms, 13 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes. (The black dot is my new location)
This road in Goldsboro is one I typically use to go home. Not today…
This body of water is not a boat ramp or lake. It’s a church parking lot, right off the main drag.
Biblically, rain has always been a blessing.
I’m happy to report the crop land is drying and turning green.
My 10-point turn, on the other hand, is going to leave a mark for a while.
I find it comforting that God promises in His Word never again to destroy the earth by flood. However, these are the days of Elijah…
Unprecedented weather, politics, and pestilence are all forecast for the final days of this earth. It is my prayer that all who read this would be blessed with sight and their hearts would be softened. May God’s shalom rest on every one of you. Love and hugs! MH
Thanks for the update on your travels to Captiva/Sanibel Maria. I’m thinking that i might need to call you Gulliver. Sanibel/Captiva are my favorite beach getaways in Florida. Being a native-born Floridian, I don’t think that there are too many beaches i haven’t experienced. So, did you mention that “shelling” is prohibited on Sanibel Island? That used to be the best part of visiting their beaches. I hope that you’re getting settled-in at your new digs. Love, blessings and shalom, Charles
I’ve never been to Sanibel or Captiva…thanks for the tour! Would love to go in person and stay in one of those cute airBnB’s you photographed!
Absolutely delightful! Thanks for the awesome tour since. Most likely won’t get to do it in person. Hugs!