At the Pine Island Campground, or Going to the birds.

31 January 2022

Ft. Myers / Pine Island KOA, St. James City, Pine Island, FL

Marc-  Another cool start to the day but I still got out for my morning run.   It was me and lots of people walking their dogs.  There I was in shorts and a t-shirt with the dog walkers in winter coats.

This campground has its share of interesting birds.  We seem to meet new birds every day.  The highlight was seeing a bald eagle pass overhead as we returned from the tennis court.

Views of an anhinga.

Our welcome to a new campsite.

An egret.

Some wood storks go a walking.

Some wood storks just hanging out.

Some birds go walking with us on our hike in the local Preserve.

Red silk cotton tree flowers.

Exploring the coast to Sarasota.

29 January 2022

Ft. Myers / Pine Island KOA, St. James, FL

Marc-  Our time had run out on our original campsite so we moved to another more protected site yesterday.  Early this morning, 12:01 a.m., the wind began to gust at 40 miles per hour and made the camper move a bit.  It was time to get up and take in the awning that extends on one side of the camper.  It was acting as a sail catching some of the increasing wind.  All was fine after that.  

It was a cool and sunny day with wind of 20 knots gusting to 30 knots - perfect for an expedition in the truck.  We set out for Burnt Store Marina to check out its facilities for future use.  This was a very nice marina well protected in a man made harbor in the middle of a high end housing development.  Our next stop was Sarasota downtown.  We parked at the harbor park next to the large marina.  This large facility is right next to all of the shops and restaurants downtown.  There is even a Whole Foods within walking distance.  We found a great brunch place called "First Watch" on Main Street and Pineapple Street.

Art is larger than life here in Sarasota.

We drove North to the barrier islands.  Long Boat Key was terrific with white sand beaches, colorful housing, and it was the Island Sue's grandparents came to during the winter back when Sarasota was home to Red Sox Spring Training.  The old baseball stadium has been re-made since then and is now the winter home to the Baltimore Orioles.  Most of the afternoon was spent at the John & Mable Ringling Museum, also known as "The Ringling."  There is a museum for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus, there is the John & Mable Ringling mansion, and a most impressive Ringling Art Museum (primarily 16th through 20 century European paintings including many paintings from Peter Paul Rubens). 

Moonlight Bridge.

Exploring the Islands of Pine Island Sound by Ferry

 27 January 2022

FT. MYERS / PINE ISLAND KOA HOLIDAY,  Pine Island, FL

 

Marc- Early start today to get to the Ferry dock by 8:30.  Partly cloudy and 70 degrees.  The plan was to pay for a two island visit: Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa.  It worked out very well.  We first took the Ferry to Cayo Costa State Park passing by many small islands in Pine Island Sound.  We left Cayo Costa after a brief stopover for the ferry ride over to Cabbage Key for lunch.  Cabbage Key contains one resort and one cool restaurant renowned for being the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett's “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.  You got it, we ordered cheeseburgers for lunch and they were good.  We wandered about on the island trails and climbed the water tower before taking the ferry back over to Cayo Costa State Park.  

A rather stringy form of cactus on a palm tree.

Cabbage palms.

Wax Mallow, aka "sleeping hibiscus"

Mangroves as habitat for oysters.

Finally reaching the Park we set out for its famous Gulf beach.  The mile walk to the beach was mostly shaded by a tropical forest.  Once at the beach, we got our feet wet (burr cool) and sought out some seashells.  Unfortunately the shells were mostly crushed, but the hike was pleasant.  The campgrounds here consist of tent sites and several cabins, all near the beach.  The nearest supplies are across the island at the ferry dock.

Minnie cactus.

Our return trip to Pine Island was eventful for a detour to a manatee hole (seeing one manatee) and a playful dolphin who repeatedly jumped in our ferry’s wake.