Ft. Myers Beach, family and friends

Well, I just discovered that this had not been posted earlier this month when we had such a nice time here in Ft. Myers Beach with a visit from our son Ryan, and visits with the Occhinos and Doyles (see below).

Jeff is doing better, and we are back here in Ft. Myers Beach on the boat for a couple of weeks of rest and relaxation. After his stroke last week and a stay in the hospital, Jeff is talking again, and back to almost "normal".  Jeff's brother Pete came to visit, and we are very happy to have him here.

Special thanks to Dennis and Kathleen Doyle and Ed and Louise Occhino, who have helped us so much.  We also enjoyed a great visit from Todd and Fran Casetta and Russell and Wendy Williams who came down from Punta Gorda for lunch and cheered us up with lots of laughs.  Thanks also to our friends and family and the MYC family for all the calls and e-mails. 

Here's the old post:
We had a great treat - a visit from our son Ryan.  He flew in to Ft. Myers, rented a car and joined us for a couple of days of sun, beach, boating, eating, and most important, good family time together.  We drove over to Sanibel Island and spent time walking on the beach finding shells. There are thousands of them.  Then we stopped for lunch in a well known restaurant called "Grandma Dots" (In case you didn't know, my mom's name is Dot) so she has always been Grandma Dot to Ryan.  Excellent Food!  The next night we had dinner at the Bayside Bistro located in the marina complex.  Outstanding food and view of the water. Sadly, Ryan had to return to NYC in time for the Blizzard.  Too bad he couldn't have gotten stuck here...

Jeff and Ryan on the beach on Sanibel Island

Sanibel Shells

Sanibel Island Beach

Grandma Dot's Restaurant

 Snook Bight Marina is just gorgeous.  Very new and well designed buildings and docks located behind the Publix supermarket parking lot.  Simply shop and take the grocery cart to the boat to unload - no carrying heavy bags - and all that Chardonnay - to re-provision.  Cross the street and we had access to the public beach that runs the full length of the island.  The sand is finely ground shells, and packed down enough for people to ride bicycles along the beach.  Walking along the water is nice, and there are miles of beach in both directions.

Snook Bight Marina

That is a 40' Mainship on the biggest lift truck I have ever seen

Visitor - Snowy Egret

Ft. Myers Beach

We went exploring and found "Dog Beach"  Look at the roots - sure looks like a dog!

Sand birds on Ft. Myers Beach

When we arrived in Snook Bight Marina in Ft. Myers Beach we were greeted by MYC club members Ed and Louise Occhino.  They arrived in their power boat from their condo nearby.  We also were greeted by MYC members Dennis and Kathleen Doyle (by car) from their condo.  We had the pleasure of seeing both of their winter homes, and eating out together.  Kathleen and Dennis took us for a car tour through the very cute town of Ft. Myers Beach. 

Osprey in the water

Sunset from Dennis and Kathleen Doyle's condo

Dennis and Kathleen Doyle

Dennis and Kathleen Doyle, Louise and Ed Occhino with Jeff in front of the Occhino's condo

Louise and Ed, Keira and Jeff, Kathleen and Dennis at the restaurant

Our time spent in Ft. Myers Beach was so nice we were tempted to stay longer, but we want to visit MYC members Todd and Fran Cassetta in Punta Gorda (more on that visit soon), and get there before the predicted rain storm and cold front.