Spring Break 2016

Day 1

Flew down to Fort Myers on Sunday, March 27, arriving at about 3:00 pm.  Got car, went to hotel, Hampton Inn Fort Myers/Sanibel Island.  Headed to Estero Island to Nervous Nellies for a waterside dinner, while we watched pleasure boats go up and down the channel between the island and the mainland.  Good dinner, band of old dudes played 70’s music while lots of old people watched….after, drove around the island, got stuck in bad traffic.  Went to Sanibel Island, saw the Lighthouse and drove around a bit.  

Day 2

Good breakfast at Hampton, then went to Sanibel Island.  Saw Wildlife Refuge, had lunch at the Blue Giraffe, rented bikes from Billie’s and rode out to lighthouse and back.  dinner at Culvers that night in Cape Coral.  

Day 3

Got up and out earlier to beat crowds to Lighthouse beach on Sanibel Island.  Good beach, saw Dolphins, pelicans, egrets, etc…   nice.  Walked along beach around point and back to lighthouse.  Drove out to Captiva Island, long drive, lots of really exp naive houses, not much to do...back to Sanibel Island, had lunch at Doc Fords...good, Mike had a mango pineapple drink that was outstanding.  Hung out at hotel while thunderstorms moved thru during afternoon, then out to Mexican restaurant, Iguana Mia, and shopgirl at the Edison Mall.  

Day 4

Tickets for Twins spring training games at Hammonds Field today, games time at 1:05.  Planning to have lunch at the ballpark.  mike and Liz slept late, while I got up and typed this poolside.  We head to the ballgame, Hammond Field, at about 11:30 for a 1:05 game time.  We arrived at the park, got the car parked and walked to the stadium.  Got out tickets at the will call terminal, and then got lunch...hotdog and chips for Mike, bratwurst for Liz and myself.  After that, we found our seats, upper level in front of third base, with a great view of the whole field.  We saw the Twins play the Blue Jays, and the Twins won 4-3.  The highlight was probably a long line drive to left that ended in a triple.  After the game, we got out early,and we're back at the hotel in about 30 minutes.  
A couple of notes, nice stadium, mostly full was full of families and old guys.  The fans were polite, and very knowledgable about the game.  It was baseball as it should be and reminded me more of minor league games than major league games that I have been to.  It was an excellent wAy to spend an afternoon.  That evening, we went to a restaurant called SS Hookers, a nod to fishing,and a menu full of fish and seafood.  

We had second floor, outdoor balcony seating, overlooking the causeway and bay out to Sanibel Iskland.  We all had fish dishes, Liz had a pecan encrusted mahi mahi over sweet potatoes, Mike had blackened redfish,a den I had a teryaki tuna dish.  All were outstanding, and e left very happy.  From there, we headed out to Sanibel Island one last time for, stopping on the causeway to watch the sunset over the gulf.  We could see dolphins frolicking in the distance,and next to us, a guy caught a fist about 24 inches long, but not sure what it was...maybe a tarpon.  

Finally, we got onto the island, drove out to the lighthouse, thought about stopping at Pinochio,’s for ice cream, but it was much to crowded, and headed back to the hotel for the night.  It was a memorable day.

Day 5

Going home today.  We got up, had a leisurely breakfast, first me alone, then me and Liz, then me and mike.  Mike and I sat poolside for breakfast.  After packing and checking out, we hit the Nike and Calvin Klein stores at a outlet mall.  Liz And Mike both got sme new clothes.  Next, we hit the Skyline Chili, then onto a Starbucks to kill a little time.  next, we went to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates Historic Site, and wandered the grounds with the self guided audio tour.

 Very nice, also, I was struck by that Edison had such a big impact on how we today, consider a career, work, and play.   Also, the gardens were magnificent.  Finally, we went to a Panera for ice tea, then dinner, then on to the airport.  Security was a breeze compared to in Newark, and we were at the gate thin about ten minutes of arriving at the airport.  After waiting, and oar ding, we took off and are currently flying at about 35,000 feet en route to Newark.  As we breezed thru security, Mke asks, why do we live in New Jersy, to which I replied, “for good schools and good jobs,but you can see why I don't want t live in NJ forever.”  

Trip Summary

Fort Myers was a nice place to visit for a short stay, but we are all ready to go home.  Lots of older and retired people, living active retirements.  Saw many old people on bikes, at the beach, at the restaurants, and so on.  Not a bad place, but we are not ready for such a place.  Also, next time we come done here, we should pay the $400 per night to be on the beach on Sanibel Island.  It would be worth it, especially with bikes to wander around the island and bypass the traffic.  But now we are thinking that a trip to St. Augustine mixed wth some Disney might be a really nice next trip to Florida.