Charlotte County Days

A leisurely cruise on the Peace River is a lovely way to pass a sunny Florida day.  I am always interested in seeing the flora and fauna of any region I visit and I have not been on the Peace River in a boat in a long time.  Captain Jeff was our tour guide, his gentle voice provided a narrative that included history lessons and local biology.

We did not see a wide variety of bird species nor did we spot any manatees but we saw plenty of wood storks preparing for the mating season and a big, fat gator sunning himself on the shoreline.  Several kayaks passed us gliding smoothly through the water close enough to see the paddles dripping as the occupants stroked.

                                                                     

Photographing birds is often a challenge and even though I shot lots of frames I did not get the ideal picture.  I managed to get one stork in flight but it was a tad blurry, one of these days I am going to get that killer photo I dream about.

Their black and white wings make these behemoths easy to spot in the air or on the tops of the mangroves where they are busy building nests and making love.      






We were driving by this house and I could not resist taking a photo.  Obviously I was not taking a picture of a beautiful landscaping job but rather a peculiar use of tile bits and countertop pieces not to mention the striking checkered driveway, what a trip.

A local Charlotte County artist turned us on to The Pottery Shop and Bamboo Farm off Burnt Store Road so I went there with my girlfriends and we checked it out, pretty cool.  If I were in need of pottery or wanted to make a free standing fountain I would definitely shop here.

They have a decent selection and prices are reasonable.  The pieces that are kept under roof are from Mexico and are not made to withstand outdoor conditions.  The Asian pots are better quality and will take the weather including the snow and ice we have in Indiana.

      They also sell hand made glass lamps that are lovely.   

Several types of bamboo are also for sale the neat rows wave and rock in their nursery buckets ready to screen property lines or knock and clack in your yard.  I have some black bamboo in my yard at home while I sometimes struggle to keep it in check I am unable to resist it, a sweet reminder of the islands.

                                 

Peace River Wildlife Center

 

Stopping at the Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, FL was a worthwhile endeavor, the wounded and healed birds and turtles are the focus but the staff are the stars.  We were barely out of the car when a guide noticed us staring up at the huge nest that had a fledgling great blue heron perched on top.  I use the word fledgling with a smile as this bird was over two feet tall and had yet to leave the nest.  The guide told us the bird was the lone survivor his siblings having been killed when they fell out of the nest while still unable to fly, with that kind of example we could understand why this guy wanted to be sure of his wings before lifting off.

Each critter at the center was rescued from either nature or people, most will never return to their wild habitats as their injuries are to severe.  Flat Sammy the turtle whose shell never rounded because his owners did not feed him the correct diet for shell development, the beautiful little blue jay without a tail, Luna the white owl whose lack of pigment would make her a fast and easy meal for any predator, a  sandhill crane minus a leg, pelicans with broken wings, the tortoise whose front feet and one eye were chewed off by the family dog all beautiful creatures saved by donations. Being a avian fan helps make the experience more enjoyable but just being in the park enjoying Charlotte Harbor, the view and park make this a great stop for most tourists.  Make sure to contribute generously at the Peace River Wildlife Center.                                               

Luna

                                                            There was a white pelican that was putting on really big show, flapping and rolling in the small pond that houses the bigger shore birds.  The bird with one stubby half wing did not seem to notice his impairment.  Non captive visitors fly in especially at feeding times, seems they learn quickly what time chow comes.  

Actually he can float but rolling is his thing

This guy has a flat back but not from his brother riding on him

                                                            Perhaps you have seen one of my past blogs and know that I have a special place in my heart for Sandhill Cranes, these magnificent birds are frequent visitors to my Indiana home and I have chased down several over the years.  This guy posed eagerly for my lens, his color not a vibrant as back home but his manner was definitely calmer.
                                                      

Fluffy owl feathers for petting...

Bad Dog...thank you Peace River Wildlife Center

It is absolutely wonderful that this organization exists, there are so many good people out there taking care of animals, lots of great places to volunteer or fund.

Blue Jay...where's my tail?  

Nokomis Beach FL Drum Circle

What a fun way to spend a Saturday,  sunset on Nokomis Beach.  This gathering of local drummers is likely to be doctors, lawyers and Indian chiefs, an elcletic mix of people out to have good time and watch the sun go down. Dancers fill the circle swaying and grooving to the beats, while hula hoop hipsters spin and swish.  If you are so inclined you can bring your own drum and pound along or you can sit back with a nice bottle of vino and a key lime pie, whatever you do your smile meter is bound to be redlining. 

I Fly Seattle, Indoor Skydiving

Leo and Marcy gave me a great adventure present for Christmas, indoor skydiving, it was a huge rush.  Leo shot this video in slow motion it was when the instructor took me to the top of the dome and spun me about, wow.  Heart was racing, mouth was dry and my grin from ear to ear.  Don't know if I am ready for the real thing yet but this was sure groovy.

Chihuly Glass Gardens, Seattle, WA

This exhibit is relatively new and it is absolutely stellar, blew me away.  The glass is magnificent and the lighting is exactly right, definitely something any visitor to Seattle should see located right next to the Space Needle.  We went there after a wonderful  (but insanely expensive) lunch at the Space Needle (thanks Leo and Marcy), what the heck you only live once. 

West Coast Road Trip

Voodoo Donuts Portland, OR

Half Dome at Yosemite

Blogging from Yosemite National Park what a spot, the giant Sequoias, Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls it's all here with take your breath away beauty, absolutely stunning.  Winter time in the park usually means tire chains, snow skiing, cross country skiing and ice skating but not this time there is limited snow and temperatures are mild.  While the park is especially gorgeous in winter with heavy snow it is great to enjoy without the freezing cold and wet.

The Redwoods are Amazing

We have driven from Seattle through Oregon and California stopping to enjoy Portland, The Redwood National Forest, Crescent City, CA and dinner with family in East Palo Alto.  We are packed tightly in a Subaru Forester four adults, Bruce, myself, nephew Lee, his wife Marcy and our great nephew Winston who is eighteen months.  Not horrible but barely enough room, we are taking turns riding in the backseat with Winston once you settle in the back there is no room to turn or adjust, we try to stop every two or three hours.

Winston is really good, very little fussing just a few brief tears when he first gets strapped into the car seat, we all know how he feels.  Being around a baby again is actually a delight, listening to him and watching him discover the world is great fun.

Yosemite National Park

Crater Lake, OR

It is hard to pick a favorite spot so far as we have seen lots of magnificent sights.  Fern Canyon in Redwood National was great very surreal and primal. Elk meadow lived up to its name, talk about a rack those beast had some serious antlers.   Crescent City had a stellar beach and of course those Pacific sunsets are awesome. 

Crescent City, CA

Leaving Yosemite we made it to Redding, CA where we spent the night before heading out to Crater Lake, OR.  We arrived at the lake rather late but enjoyed a stunning sunset and giggled as Winston attempted to navigate the crunchy snow.

Crater Lake, OR

Elk Meadow Redwood National Forest

Leavenworth WA for Christmas

Bruce and I arrived in Seattle WA, on Tuesday just before dark.  After relaxing for a day we took a rode trip to Leavenworth, WA, even though we thought it might be to tourist like we found we were wrong, super groovy, had a ball.

Nine Days No Work

My cousins daughters and one of the girls son relax after turkey

Thanksgiving was great we had two dinners and it was the first day of my nine day vacation to Florida much of it in Cape Coral. 

Leo Klejnot

I flew out of Fort Wayne, IN where I finally got a photo of my dad's name on the Art Smith exhibition in the air museum at the airport.  I have no idea why his name appears here as he was never a pilot and served in the Marine Corps during WWII.  Finding the answer to my question is on my to do list, additionally I want to research his service record I have always been curious about my fathers time in the Marines and the war. 

Mother, mother ocean

Just the thought of the sunshine put a smile on my face as I flew across the country, I have been in my long underware for nearly two months already. 

The first stop for fun was my favorite beach in Lee County for high activity, Fort Meyers Beach, which offers lots of bars, shopping, restaurants, all water sports and activities yet somehow maintains its charm and character.  We popped down for the sandsculpting contest which is super cool and we saw chain saw carving as well.


I finally got up to see a friends place near the Peace River.  We went to the local bar for lunch and listened to a few tunes in the Chickie bar where a man and woman were performing.  Great atmosphere, cheap cold beer and fine chow, who could ask for more?  I always liked this area I worked for a landscape architect who had a great house on the Peace River in Port Charlotte, the gardens were fabulous, every square inch was plant material.               

My pal Sue came to visit from St. Pete, she stayed a couple of days we toured Pine Island one day eating, chatting, checking out the sites.  Sue is buds with my sister and brother in law as well, we go way back, talking one of those 45 year friendships we don't see each other all that often but when we do an easy rhythm develops quickly.

There is a lot of art and color in Florida which is one of the things that turn me on about hanging south.  Of course the other big deal is being outdoors in the sunshine and cruising past mother ocean.  If I lived there I would have some form of small watercraft a small runabout and a kayak or two.  It would be great to live on the water perhaps a river, I don't know that I could live in the city after all these years in the country.

The wildlife can often be found on the walls;  gators, herons, egrets, boars and fish are mounted and displayed in restaurants, bars, boutiques and roadside stands, personally I was never a huge fan of stuffed critters hanging over my dinner plate but it must appeal to the masses.

Of course when you can see plenty of species of living wildlife in Florida if you take a bit of time to stop and smell the flora and fauna.  Birds are especially prevalent, shorebirds, birds of prey, waders added to the many migratory birds that flock south each winter and you have a birdwatchers dream.  Gators are common in most any pond or water source and my pals on the river say they see bobcats regularly. 

A priority with any visitor to SW FL should be to get out on the water, whether it is in the mother or down the river, include a airboat tour in the Everglades and your FL vacation will be complete.

Christmas lights and displays abound in FL as well.  Must be the warm temperature inspires more people to go all out stringing the lights, no problems with frozen fingers and toes leads to some pretty tricked out trees and palms.  I think most of Collier county is in some type of decorating contest all agreeing to use white miniature lights.  Oh well works for me.

My nine days off was fun and relaxing I caught up on some much needed sleep and cruised my sisters new hood on her bike.  Riding in FL is fun and easy since it is so flat.  The thing you need to watch out for is traffic when you pedal in the city, the most dangerous time is crossing near a Publix market.

 My oldest sister now lives very close to my other sis so we will be seeing more of each other.  We are all that is left from our family of seven.

One week from today I will be blogging from Seattle.  Bruce and I will be going to the pacific northwest for about three weeks.  We will be visiting Oregon and California.  Our itinerary is wide open right now so we have a bit of planning to do before we split.

Fort Meyers Beach Sand Scuplting Championship

It is good to be back in southwest Florida especially with the temperature being in the teens back
home.  Attending the annual sand sculpting championship on Fort Meyers Beach yesterday was a pretty groovy start to my vacation.  The contest started on the beach in 1990 that first year my sister Cass, her husband Jim and two friends entered and won the amateur division. 

It has gotten to be a much larger event with vendors, chain saw carving, food, drink and even live music.  The sculpture area itself is now contained by fencing and they charge five bucks a head to view the artist at work, but it was worth it to see the beautiful and intricate designs. 

Over the years I have helped produce a couple of different sculptures (not in a contest just for pleasure), it is challenging but lots of fun.  Points are awarded for creativity, difficulty (arches are especially hard), theme adherence and making sure your sculpture stays standing and does not crash to the beach.

They also had a children's play area with lots of sand toys, a mock rock climbing wall and these great colored balls that allowed the kids to walk inside while floating in a small pool.  We ended the day with a cocktail and stone crab claws at Pincher's bar.  A fine young singer entertained us filling the air with a few great tunes.  All in all a pretty good beginning.