Sea Turtles at the Beach

The sea turtles are coming ashore on the beaches of Manasota Key, the barrier island just west of Englewood, a 40-minute drive directly west of our home.  During the night, Loggerhead, Green, and Kemp's Ridley turtles climb from the water and travel across the sand to lay eggs from May through October on Gulf of America beaches.   Car headlights are prohibited at night during these months in the parking lots fronting the beach, as they would disturb nesting female turtles and their hatchlings, who navigate by light.  The car's strong artificial light overwhelms the subtle natural clues of moonlight and starlight reflecting off the water that the turtles rely on.  Even streetlights and house lights can create false horizons for the turtles whose eyes have adapted to dim, blue-toned natural lights.  The nests consist of holes in the sand dug by the turtles.  Once her eggs have been laid in the hole, she covers them with sand and then makes her way back to the water.  Both she and her hatchlings will return to the beach where they were born to continue their species in this way, exhibiting one of the most amazing feats of navigation in the animal kingdom.  Marked nests were visible in several locations on the beach when we visited this past Monday, June 15th.

Previously, I have seen sea turtles in the Atlantic Ocean from a boat, but we have not gone out on a boat in the Gulf, so I can't claim to have personally seen our turtles in the water here.  We will also miss seeing them on the beach, as we avoid night driving.  It would be fun, though, to be with those who monitor the turtles at night on just one occasion to actually see these creatures complete their mission.

Twisted Fork

"Twisted Fork" sounds like a weird name for a restaurant, but it's not referring to an eating utensil.  Jim thinks "Fork" in this case is referencing the part of a motorcycle that holds the front tire?  Located next to a Harley-Davidson Motor Cycles store in Port Charlotte, the name makes a bit more sense.  The building housing the restaurant appears to have evolved from a once-upon-a-time garage with multiple, closed garage doors still in place across the front of the establishment.  Inside, a taxidermy shark "swims" down from the ceiling with a T-Shirt in its mouth amid the dining tables. 

 

 

Along the ceiling a variety of lighting fixtures concocted from auto parts illuminate a wall of license plates, a USA and a Florida flag made from appropriately colored beer cans, and a wall montage of highway construction warning paraphernalia.  A wine bottle storage tower next to our table was fashioned from three lighted engine blocks.  Garage signage of all descriptions adorned the walls. 

A Saturday crowd filled the dining room shortly after we arrived, including a table of eight next to us wearing "Renegade Pigs" vests, jeans, bandannas, and sporting some tattoos and a beard or two to project the appropriate vibe for riding their Harleys that had followed us into the parking lot. But this is not a biker bar and restaurant, it had patrons of all descriptions and ages.  

Our table was surrounded by several large TV screens, and even one gigantic one, all of which were playing something different.  Visualizing all of this was entertaining, and it was not hard to wait for the delicious lunch which arrived in quick order.

 

There's an outside covered bar and eating area with music blaring loud enough to penetrate the inside dining area, but it wasn't overwhelming.  The wait staff were efficient and attentive.  The usual afternoon rainstorm arrived early while we were eating, relieving the humidity outside a little bit.  After eating, we strolled through the gift shop briefly and stopped to take some photos of the front entrance where a couple of antique looking cars were displayed.  

I'm certain we'll go back there.  It is a fun place, and provided an entertaining break in the day along with a very good meal.

An Ending to a Visit - Day Five and Six

June 9 to 10, 2026

We had picked up a large watermelon from a street vendor near home after a breakfast at “Waffle House” on Monday, which turned out to be really quite tasty after chilling it in the refrigerator.  “Seedless” turned out to be a huge exaggeration as the watermelon had countless seeds.  It was good though, so we overlooked the vendor’s false claim.

  

Tuesday was another quiet day spent at home.  “Albert” the alligator had disappointed us by not reappearing.  I enjoyed Kris’s help on Tuesday with grocery shopping at Walmart, especially with the replenishment of our drinking water supply.  The bottled water is heavy and hauling it home is a chore.

Kris left on Wednesday morning from Fort Meyers International Airport.  Unfortunately, all good things do come to an end.  Kris had to return home.  The drive to the airport was easy.  The goodbyes were hard.  

After leaving her, we headed to the Fort Meyers Subaru dealer for an oil change.  The service was needed after our 3,400 mile trip across the United States.  It turned out to be a quick, easy, and enjoyable experience with complimentary coffee and another customer to chat with as we all waited for our vehicles.  Maybe I’m delusional, but I continue to be amazed by the abundance of just plain happy people here.  From the staff to the mutual customer, time passed quickly in pleasant conversation.

We’re all caught up now on the lives of two elders and their cat “living the dream” in Southwest Florida.  Cheers, and back to you soon!  

Yup! that's really Snoopy (enhanced with Ai) "living the life" in Florida!

Beach Excursion - Day Four

June 8, 2026

Feeling empowered by experience, Monday we headed out to Sarasota to visit Siesta Beach on Siesta Key with an even larger collection of beach items stored in the trunk of the Subaru.  Adding an umbrella, bringing lots of towels, and donning bathing suits with hats, T-Shirts, and sandals, we felt prepared!

Claimed to be one of the best beaches in the world, the 99-percent quartz composition of the sand here creates a gleaming white beach with a sprinkling of tiny white shells of varying shapes.  Add to that the azure water with a wide, shallow wading area at this beach, and you have a perfect seaside venue.  For the younger folks there are volleyball courts in the sand, tennis courts, and shaded playgrounds.  There’s a trolley traveling up and down the street bordering the beach, covered picnic areas with grills, the desirable showers near the parking lot for rinsing off, plus a concession stand and washrooms. 

Though the hike to the water is lengthy, the amenities and 85-degree water at this time of the year make up for the effort to cross the sand to the water.  There are a variety of ways to achieve shade on the beach and our little umbrella is way down on the list.  Some people put up tent-like coverings creating lots of shade for their beach chairs or towels.  The only consideration is how much you wish to carry.  Others pull wagons with large, fat wheels filled with beach equipment and coolers containing their beverages and snacks.  It’s fun to encourage each other as everyone treks through the sand toward the water. We set up our umbrella, planting it in the sand with a special post-like device that at least partially screws down into the sand to secure the umbrella in the breeze.  A small beach chair held our belongings, and then we were off into the water to swim and people watch.

Little fish were visible in the clear water near the shore.  Under hats and with T-Shirts protecting our shoulders, we spent a considerable time in the water.  Kris found yet a few more shells.  Then we trudged back across the sand with our gear to enjoy a lunch break at the concession stand.  About the time we sat and started our lunch at 2:01 pm, a 6.1 earthquake occurred off the west end of Cuba. Unbeknown to us, we were happily sipping non-alcoholic Pina Coladas, and watching a volley ball game before us on the beach.  We never felt it, though many across Florida did.  Luckily, it didn’t create a tsunami either.  We only learned of it after the fact, upon arriving back home.  

Of course we ended the day with a Culver’s ice cream stop, followed by a siesta for Jim and Snoopy.  Life is good! 

Leisure Day at the Pool - Day Three

June 7, 2026

Taking a break from the surf and sand, we ventured no further than the pool at our condominium on Sunday.  This was my first trip down to the pool, and I was grateful to have Kris’s company to breach the unknown.  Several people were at the pool, including several visiting young children, so the activity was entertaining and pleasantly noisy as children are wont to be.  In the heat of almost midday, the water felt chilly at first.  As soon as total immersion was achieved, it felt wondrous.  There are umbrellas at several tables to shade seating, and if you’re lucky enough to arrive first, there’s shade under a palm tree.  We claimed our table and umbrella, grabbed a couple of pool noodles, then ventured into the water.  It was a leisurely way to spend an hour, but pool shoes on the pool deck’s hot surface are something to secure for the next trip to the pool. 

  

We continued taking it easy with a trip to Cracker Barrel for dinner.  This nearby restaurant is becoming one of our favorites.  The prices are easy on your wallet, the service is great, and the selection of food resembles what I’d cook at home with lots of yummy side dishes that I almost never think to add to my at-home renderings, like biscuits with jam.  Waiting for the meal to arrive, we all entertained ourselves with a game that seems to be on every table.  The shopping in Cracker Barrel’s gift shop is oh-so-very-tempting, too.  So far I’ve restrained myself, but gifts for our kids, and perhaps ourselves will occur on one of these trips.  Our daughter Shari would love the flamingos, our daughter Pam would join me in pursuing the jewelry, and our grandkids and great grandchildren could go wild in there, when we get to enjoy their eventual visits here with us!  I can see that moving here has given us many opportunities to entertain family and friends when anyone comes to see us.

               

 

Snoopy has decided he loves company, also.  He literally thinks getting brushed by Kris is the “cat’s meow” becoming quite verbal to express his appreciation!  In fact, he hardly stopped “talking” and following her around during the entire time she was here with us.  

I’ve concluded that it’s pretty special to have achieved such a wonderful life by choosing Jimmy to be my husband.  With his whole family, my family, our friends, and the life all of us share together, the past almost twenty years have been the happiest of my life.  I am truly blessed to have everyone above who make my life feel a little warmer, and a lot more special!  Thank you!

Beach Explorations - Day Two

Saturday, June 6, 2026

“Albert”, the name we’ve given to our alligator in the pond behind our condominium, made an early morning appearance again on this day.  He passed through the pond slowly in an unconcerned manner, with his tail propelling him along using back and forth motions that hardly made a ripple.  Kris regretfully missed this event, and that only heightened her desire to spot him again.  Even though she made frequent trips to the lanai to search for him, he had slipped away to his daylight hiding place, having apparently finished his nocturnal wanderings for this day.

After breakfast, we decided that another trip to the beach was in order.  Dressed in shorts to facilitate walking in the water, we also grabbed hats to ward off sunburn potential.  Slathering on sunblock lotion, we felt ready to head off to the beach.  The destination this time was Englewood Beach on Manasota Key, located due west of our condominium and a forty-minute drive.

     

Seashells are not as prolific at this beach, but Kris diligently searched for them and was rewarded for her efforts.  The water was warm, and the beach was fairly full with Saturday leisure seekers.  We walked for some distance on the sand and got our feet wet in the water with some waves reaching our knees.  Finally,  we crossed over the highway from the beach parking lot to the “Sandbar Tiki & Grille” for lunch.  This was a return visit for us, and we felt Kris would enjoy the outdoor dining, the live band, and the food.  We had a good meal, and then Kris changed into her bathing suit for the return walk up the beach.  She enjoyed the water, searching for more shells, while we watched from the water’s edge.  Sadly, when we reached our parked car, we realized that there were no water showers to wash off the powdery white sand that clung to our feet and legs.  We rubbed off as much as we could with a T-Shirt, and then headed home.

En route, we found a geocache location near our route, and stopped so Kris could claim her first Florida find.  Hidden cleverly by people, these items require a signature on a paper list enclosed in the small container.  Then an online report can be made in an App for recording the find.  An electronic badge is then assigned in the App commemorating the finder’s effort.  Watching was fun and interesting to the uninitiated observers that Jim and I were before that moment.

We finished the day with a stop for ice cream at Culver's, completing yet another good and satisfying trip to the beach.

Beach Explorations - Day One

 Friday, June 5, 2026

We’ve been enjoying the beaches of Southwest Florida for the last few days.  It all began with the arrival of Jim’s daughter, Kris, at Fort Meyers International Airport on Friday, June 5th.  The airport is directly south of where we live by traveling about 45-minutes on I-75.  Leaving the airport, we opted to head straight to Sanibel Island, famous for the abundant shells on its beaches, and chose Bowman’s Beach Park as our destination, because according to the Lee County website:  “Isolated and picturesque, this beach is probably the most popular on Sanibel. Great shelling and amenities make it worth the five minute hike from the parking area to the beach. Adventurous beachcombers can walk for several miles on unobstructed white sand beaches covered in shells. The shoreline at Bowman's Beach has experienced little of the intense development seen on the rest of the islands.”  It turned out to be completely true.

    

We observed several luxurious waterfront homes as we drove onto the island, then we turned northward and drove several miles to reach Bowman's Beach.  The parking lot was busy.  No matter the temperature, there were lots of parked cars and people heading to the beach laden with beach equipment (more on that later.)  The park has pavilions with shaded benches, bathrooms, water stations to rinse sand from your feet, and informative billboards about what you can potentially see strolling to the water along wooden boardwalks and sandy paths.  Pausing on a bridge crossing a canal, we spied two manatees in the water below.  Nicknamed “sea cows” as their noses resemble a cow’s nose, these gentle creatures rose to the surface to breathe often enough that we were able to photograph them, as fish jumped in the water around them.

As are most Gulf Coast beaches, the brilliant white sand spread out before us north and south as we reached the water.  Indeed, there were lots of shells, and we spent some time picking up several pretty ones.  Still being careful to not spend too much time in the sun to avoid sunburns, we headed back to the car with our shell prizes.  A late lunch was in order then, and we found a hotel nearby with a restaurant called “BRGR Kitchen and Bar” which not only had a great atmosphere, but good service and burgers that were truly delicious.  

We headed home, and ended the day with a beautiful sunset.  The alligator in the pond behind our house made an appearance, gliding by in the silver water just before dusk set in.  We’ve since learned that they feed at this time of the day and it is more likely to see them in the early evening, or sometimes in the early morning as daylight arrives.  Kris was impressed and spent many moments looking for “Albert” during her stay.