Day 1
We took a taxi from Will's MD apt at 8am on the 10th to the Greenbelt metro. Took metro to DCA. Arrived 3.5 hrs early for our flight. Oops.
We shared a Cinnabon (#1) (as good--better!--than they say) and yogurt before security. Jet Blue. Nice flight. Arrived in Tampa ~2pm and went to Skipper's Smokehouse where we had excellent beers, crawdads, oysters, and W had a grouper sandwich (#1).
We intended to go out for dinner later but decided we were too exhausted. W took a nap, I ordered room service linguine and a salad, which we shared. We watched the olympics, we watched the bridge change color outside our balcony. A sweet night together.
Day 2
Pastries at Tampa bakery (guava for W, cheese danish for me, cinnamon roll (#2) to share later), found a CVS for supplies. Drove Bay Short Blvd to see big houses.
Stopped at Outlet mall on the way to Sanibel for sandals for W. Also got a good deal on linen pants. Check in to Marriott Ft. Myers in mid-PM, after stopping for rum, limes, sandwich.
At hotel, sunbathed topless on private patio then went to Sanibel to restaurant/appetizer-hop: Mojitos & shrimp sausage quesadilla at Doc Ford's, conch fritter's at RC Otter's, Rum Runner, Margarita, BBQ bacon shrimp at Green Flash (including men's bathroom w/ creepy 2-way mirror into bar). Waited at Timber's for short time and decided it wasn't worth it--returned to hotel for Starz delivery pizza and rum drinks.
Somewhere in between we illegally parked and watched the sunset (only to be chased off by giant mosquitos for probably work for the illegal parking dept).
Tried canoeing at Ding Darling Refuge but weather didn't comply. Instead went for walk down nature trail and got stuck in multiple downpours. We hid under palm trees w/ tiny crabs and lizards. Saw beautiful birds--white cranes, pelicans, blue heron.
Lunch at Doc Ford's (fish sandwich, cubano), reading (and nap) time at the causeway in the car (through rainstorms and drizzly afternoon). Then walked at lighthouse and returned to Doc Ford's for dinner: amazing yucatan shrimp, quinoa salad, banana-leaf-wrapped grouper tamale. Key lime pie.
The next day, we got to Ding Darling by 9 (after Publix stop for mufffins, bandaids [Amber's cheap boat shoes], and bananas), took canoe to boat trail. Saw birds (one pooped on us), crabs, lots of mangroves, tourists unsteady in kayaks, and--the crowing glory--3 manatees. The manatees appeared after the end of the trail, paddling briefly in open water. We watched them from afar, followed at a distance, until we briefly lost them and they resurfaced right next to our canoe, regarding us curiously. Then went about their way.
After canoeing, we went to the beach for a short time but were too hot (and slightly burnt) to stay for long. Amber swam--water felt fantastic.
Went to Mucky Duck on Captiva for 2 of the best hours so far. Beers, water, shrimp, beers, water. A dog, beautiful view, thunder rumbling, sun sun sun (sunscreen), and relaxing at a picnic table in the sand. Bought 2 pint glasses.
Left Sanibel, went to outlets nearby so W could get shorts. Hot. Burnt. Returned to hotel to change. Took hotel trolly--a rickety cable car--to "main tower" of resort where manager at cabana bar doted on us. ("Did you want food from ____? We'll bring it over!") Transitioned to restaurant where he was our water-server. Clever minx. Dinner: grouper sandwich (#2), crab cake sandwich. Mojitos, beer.
Got up early the next morning and checked out (later heartbroken to realize we left the rum) and went to Heavenly Biscuit in Ft. Myers for breakfast (Cinnamon roll (#3), huge biscuits with bacon, egg, cheese, tomato. Amazeballs.
Amber decided we should be in the olympics for recreational sightseeing: canoe division.
Headed toward Everglades. Amber got Chaco sandals at Snyderman's Shoes (really great stop--nice people, sale shoes) and W got new insoles.
Drove around in Naples, walked a little. Not overly impressed. Hot. Burnt. Blisters. So many blisters. Began w/ cheap "water" shoes (Target brand tennis shoes), continues w/ unbroken-in Chacos).
The Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City was classy, creepy, dark, and surly. Taxidermied animals all over the insides, dark dark wood and no lights except through open doors and windows. I commented that Teddy Roosevelt would've loved it. W said our waitress probably was TR. Well put.
Everglades City seems like a great last post before setting off on a canoe adventure. Not much else. That said, Rod+Gun had phenomenal screened in porch where we had margaritas from surly waitress and watched sun go down.
Before Rod+Gun, stopped at restaurant/outfitter on north end of EC. Had conch fritters, grouper sandwich (#3), and fried shrimp. Watched airboats go by, pelican somehow not bothered by their jet engines.
After drinks at Rod+Gun we walked south along canal--lovely views, interesteing town (gutted in 1983 for huge marijuana bust--took half the population). Mosquitos off canal walk were numerous and hungry. Blisters.
Drove up state road recommended for gator viewing and saw many. Screamed like a little girl 1st few times. Watched brave duck paddle through gator water.
Huge thunderstorm at bedtime.
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