Fort Myers & Sanibel Island, 12/9/2005 - 12/13/2005.

We took advantage of the Continental weekend specials and flew down to Fort Myers, FL. We spent time at Fort Myers Beach and on Sanibel Island.

Manatee sighting tour. The tiny bumps in the distance are actually manatees.

Anne at the Helm of the Cape Coral 20.

We rented a small boat to cruise around the bay. The waters are shallow, and we promptly grounded the boat. We ended up destroying the propeller and paid $100 or so to have it fixed.

Festival of Lights. Pretty sorry looking parade of boats.

Hurricane Alley. Quite a few sunken boats were still lying around. Hurricanes are a problem for the area.

Seashells on Sanibel Island. The tide washes them in twice a day. I thought they would be larger.

Seabirds on the seashore.

Sunset on the beach. Note the parachute in the background. The hang glider was powered by a small but noisy fan.

We had lunch at this restaurant. Inexpensive.

Dinner (including stone crab) at this restaurant.

When caught, stone crabs get one of their claws broken off. The crabs are then thrown back into the water so the claws can grow back. The alternative -for the crab - is worse. I wouldn't have eaten the dish had I known it earlier.

Outside our hotel at Fort Myers Beach.

It is a crocodile, or is it an alligator? Depends on where the teeth go.

This majestic bird is probably an osprey.


We had lunch at the restaurant next to the Naples marina.