Day 24

Monday was a cool, cloudy day but at least we had no rain. We were all up early for coffee and each just ate what they wanted for breakfast. Loy went out early for a long walk on the beach. Jack and Al also took walks. Everyone had a restful day reading, napping, and just doing whatever.
Jack cooked dinner making cheese tortoleni with Alfredo sauce and served with sauteed chicken breast strips. Also served salad with roasted asparagus with lemon vinegarette. Enjoyed with white wine. Jack also made a great key lime pie...has a great recipe with fresh lime juice and lime zest.  Had pie and coffee after dinner.  Al is thrilled to have someone else doing cooking and cleanup. Loy did cleanup. Too bad that it was too cool to dine on porch.

Day 23

Sunday, Feb 21, Jack and Loy flew down for the week. Their flight arrived at 1:35 at the Punta Gorda Airport so we left about 11:30 to make sure we were on time. The drive should be about 1.5 hours but allowed 2 hours. Flight was on time but had to wait for the luggage. The day was sunny but on cool side. Thought we would stop for lunch in Punta Gorda but found no place there. Next idea was to stop at Ft Myers beach but traffic backed up so we turned around and went to Publix to shop for provisions. Loy also ordered some of the Cuban coffee she likes and we'll pick next week. Since it was so late when we finished shopping, we headed to the house and had some snacks.
We decided to have a casual dinner at Lazy Flamingo and also let Jack and Loy experience some of the local flavor since this a neighborhood place. Larry, who was at the counter taking care of the orders, was a character boarding on being rude...did not care if ate there or not. Luckily, we walked in and sat at the last table available without any wait. Started with beer and oysters and conch fritters. Jack and Al both ordered the 1/2 Caesar salad and 1//2 Blackened Shrimp. Loy had the fried oyster basket and I had grouper basket.
All enjoyed the dinner ...fun place.

Day 22

Too cool to go to beach. After lunch,we drove to DDNWR and saw roseate spoonbills. We walked out on the dike and saw a woodstork on his knees with his legs laying forward...a strange position. Also saw a yellow crowned night heron and brown pelicans. Lot of birds in area beyond observation deck. Saw Don and Lillian Stokes on drive...she has a new Cannon camera.
Dinner tonight at Doc Ford's. We shared oyster on the half shell. Al had Texas Babyback Ribs with fries and slaw. I had Calamari salad with cukes, tomatoes, and fried wontons. Called ahead so we did not have a long wait and they were not very busy.

Day 21

Friday, Feb 19
Not sure of what we did today. DDNWR is closed on Fridays.

Day 20

Another cool day spent doing "not much of anything". Al took early walk and then we had some coffee and pastries. I spent some time blogging. We went to dock and sat for couple hours early afternoon watching birds and boaters and fishermen. Bayside is so different now that the Blind Pass is opened again. It is really is too cool to sit on beach but not too bad on the dock since it is a sunny day. Spent rest of day reading and napping. Made a card for a challenge using Photoshop.
Ate in again tonight...pan grilled rib eye steak and had couscous and salad as sides. Fell asleep again watching winter olympics.

Day 19

Same weather today...cold and windy. Not much going on today. Al took a walk after coffee. In the afternoon we walked on the beach.....not many people out but most were bundled up to keep warm. We saw 4 kinds of terns...Royal Terns, Caspian Terns, Sandwich Terns, Forster's Terns as well asBlack Skimmers. It is great to see that the waterway is opened again under the bridge separating Sanibel and Captiva. This is the second time since we have been visiting that this opening had to be recreated. We hope it will remain this way since it is such a major operation to do.
Tonight we prepared salmon with a mustard glaze, rice, and asparagus for dinner. Thanks to Al for his cooking and cleaning up every night. I try to help but not that much I can do.
Will post pics of the shore birds later.

Pictures from DDWR 2-16-10

Taken at DDWR (unedited )

Day 18

We were up early today and was at DDWR for a drive by 7:30. Sunny morn and not many on the drive this early. Not a great many birds to see but enjoyed the ones we did spot. Seems to be more woodstorks this spring and many roseates at a distance. After drive we had brunch at Island Cow....a busy place with a lot of families. Al had the stuffed French toast and I had eggs and sausage. Served with potatoes, grits, muffins, and fruit. Made stop at Bailey's for salmon, steak, salad,etc for dinners this week. We have decided we prefer Jerry's to shop since they have better produce and wider selections. Made another quick drive thru DDWR...more people and less birds but got a few good photos on 2nd run. Tonight made another filet with wine sauce, baked potato and salad. Check pictures posted for Feb 16.

Day 17

Today was another lazy day...just relaxing and hanging out. Al took a walk...up to 3 miles. Cooked in...made pasta with shrimp, asparagus, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, and garlic. Served with salad. That's all folks!

Day 16

Today is Valentine's Day. Al made breakfast of cheese omelet, bacon and toast. We then left about 10:00 to go to the Arts and Crafts Show....there was a crowd even though it was on the cold side. Dressed warm in jeans and jackets. Had a lot of jewelry and pottery vendors...not as diversified as in the past. We then went to Tahitian Gardens for the Farmer's Market that is held every Sunday through April. Bought some bread ....we were kind of late to come.....some booths sold out. Will have to come again but earlier. Tonight we prepared our Valentine's dinner instead of going out since restaurants are always very busy and often overbooked. We had beef tenderloin with wine sauce, asparagus with balsamic, baked potatoes, and caeser salad. Was very good..enjoyed the evening meal with Antinori Pinot Noir 2007.