bonniebroad

OO ....... many hugs and bouquets to you, lady, for your wonderful advice!!! We went back to Caladesi today, and are going AGAIN tomorrow. It's what we came to Florida for! Today was like the most gorgeous Emerald bathtub, sky magnificent. We think it really must be like Caladesi in Heaven! We went on to Tarpon Springs today, after the beach, (in the incredible storm ... we drove through so much water that it shorted our A/C out on the car, honest to Pete!). Anyhoooooooooo, what a charming, beautiful place! We loved it, and ate at Hella's, so beautiful with it's blue and white Greek decor. The food was howlingly good, and we have brought home pastries from their bakery to have with coffee tonight, sharing with our neighbors in the next condo ... a lovely couple from Scotland. We are so lucky to share a porch (sort of) with them....

We are going to the bird sanctuary down the beach tomorrow before Caladesi. Haven't quite decided where we'll eat tomorrow night for our last night here. We have had such a good time, despite the BIG BAD RT! We're already planning our trip back.

Jor, I love this site because people speak the truth.

OO

That's terrific Bonnie! You are a veritable lemonade factory, girl! Between the sky, the water and sand color, it is very heaven-like out there isn't it. And yes...a bathtub...too warm by July really, but heck, who's complaining. Unfortunately, that is what you could be experiencing further south too were it not for this unfortunate occurrence.

You head for Sanibel Saturday, right? Wish I could recommend good places to eat there but the one we really liked has now closed. We've always enjoyed lunch on the porch of the Canoe Club at T'ween Waters. It's on the waterway, lovely views, there are even baby gates on the deck to keep the otters from coming up to beg at your table! Food is OK, but it's more the atmosphere that we thoroughly enjoy there.

If you want a day away from the beach there I highly recommend the Edison-Ford Estate in Ft Myers. Beautiful grounds, and homes and the lab..SO interesting! It's in a lovely section of old Ft Myers...not the "strip".

Keep on crankin' out that lemonade Bonnie...I'm enjoying your blow by blow so much!

bonniebroad

Hey there guys, last day in Indian Shores, leaving in the morning. The Red Tide is not as horrendous as yesterday but still yukky. Water was so reddish today, like a muddy lake. My DH TRIED to go in, but he just couldn't go past his knees ... just found it unpleasant, with an off-smell.

BUT we walked up to the Seabird Sanctuary, and what a wonderful place that is!!! Found a new place to support, and just enjoyed the birds so much. Guess we're just *bird-brains* but they get us every time!

We've enjoyed just sleeping late today, sitting on the beach, enjoying the view (no cough or stench today ... the winds were right!) Then we had a great lunch on our deck(and mostly cleaned out the fridge ) ... Tonight we are going to Dockside Dave's for a seafood platter(it's our landlady's favorite, water-side, funky place, she says, for plain, good ole seafood.) Then the couple from Scotland are coming over for Margaritas on the deck ... and to say goodbye, until we almost certainly see them here again. We're going to keep in touch, and possibly be here at the same time next year!

Then tomorrow, it's on to Sanibel ... and to all of you who have contributed so much to our wonderful vacation in Indian Shores. You know who you are ... OO, Wayne, Joan, Tandoori_Girl, Starrsvlle, etc. ... I appreciate your help so much!

Nikki

I'm confused. This must be a very different variety of red tide than the one we experience in Massachusetts. Here the water is clean, no dead fish, it just affects the shellfish, which can not be eaten. After the red tide clears up, the shellfish are safe to eat once they have filtered out the old water and taken in fresh water for some period of time.

starrsville

Now, bonniebroad, THAT would be a fun GTG. Maybe some Fodorites can join you and the Scots next year. It sounds like it's been a good vacation anyway. Just don't order the Red Tide for next year