Naples 2008 Winter Getaway

Click Photographs to enlarge

Left home in Ottawa February 16th for Naples. Flight uneventful except we went to Ft Lauderdale rather than Miami. Long story, not worth repeating. Beware grouchy, early morning check-in clerks who have a hard time telling the time....

Local showing location of condo and the outlets...



This was the apartment we were lucky enough to have loaned to us for the week by Janice's sister's in-laws.

This only shows half of it ( the half we needed). Beatifully decorated and kept.



Seems like all places here have screened in outdoor places. The condo had a balcony completed screened in, larger homes have lanais. We overlooked the golf course and fine sunsets (see later).

Luckily Jo was able to relax pretty quickly...

First order of business was to stock up on wine and food. Fortunately, for half the price, local supermarkets had all the nice wines we bought in Canada. Next was a quick look in the Miramar Outlet Mall next door to our gated community known as Grandezza. More than 140 outlets.

Then the obligatory airboat "safari"...

Turkey vulture standing guard over the airboat terminal



Feel like you are being watched?



Birds everywhere..




Some brand of Hawk..



Mama 'gator. Water level was so low their lares were high and dry.



"Baby" 'gator.


Teen 'gator


Mother of a all 'gators



Wild boar...


Bald eagle...really! Click and see.

Heron walking on water...

Poser...

'Gator going the right way

Afternoon snack.

It was fun, really!

Nothergator

Rare bird...forgotten the brand.

Osprey

Our chariot after we disembarked.

We toured Pine, Captiva and Sanibel Islands. All new housing seems to be built on stilts. Something to do with storm surge! I don't remember any hills anywhere we went...oh, wait! There was an on ramp for the I75...

Sanibel beach west..

and East

Young executive of a local shell company

After all this activity some refreshments...

Parrot Key Restaurant

We met up with Jennifer and Brian three times during the week. Saturday night for beer, wine and food at a local restaurant, Wednesday for beer, wine and an impromptu Chef Jo dinner for 5 at the condo and Friday evening at their house for, you guessed it, beer, wine and food. They were a great couple, very helpful and great drinking partners.

Jennifer, sitting next to Jo, is Janice's sister. Brian, sitting next to Jennifer, is the son of the condo owner Dave East. Dean, sitting opposite, is a friend of Brian's.

Jennifer aglow after dinner on Friday evening. Note the "cone of flame".

Sunset from the balcony

Then, all too quickly, it was over. Saturday morning was an early start to Miami to catch our flight home.

Now, if you are wondering why a winter getaway is so essential for us, take a look at some pictures from this weekend's storm:

This was Sunday (9/3/2008) morning. We had already cleared up yesterday's 19cm (8")

We cleared up the new 37 cm and waited for the plow. This was about 3pm Sunday.

...and we wait...

And he finally arrives...it's too late in the day to do anything but clear up the mess he leaves behind.

The official total for the weekend was 56cm (22" Merrycan) giving us 411cm (162" or 13 and a half feet) so far this season. The all time record is 444cm!

...and we dream of warm, far-away places.....