One thing Villagers give up in order to live in their little piece of paradise is the ability to quickly and easily visit the beach. I get email all the time from prospective Villagers detailing their struggles with the issue of being essentially landlocked and away from the ocean for the rest of their lives.
With that in mind, a few months back I promised to start writing about some of the beaches throughout Florida that Villagers could take a day trip (or 2 or 3 days) to go and visit and get their fix of the salty air and Mother Ocean.
This will probably turn into a series, so consider this Part I of ???.
Most of you have heard of Fort Myers in the southwest part of the state. Long known as a resort and retirement haven (Thomas Edison and Henry Ford even wintered there), Fort Myers offers easy access to the Lee County beaches and Sanibel Island.
Sanibel, about 4 hours and change from The Villages, is definitely more than just a one day trip, but is one of the places that should be on everyone’s Florida “bucket list”.
Floridians and folks from around the world travel to Sanibel to comb the beaches and to drive, hike, bike and kayak around this 24-square-mile subtropical barrier island. As well as the beaches, Florida’s flora and fauna are the star attractions.
The island is home to more than 240 species of birds, from humming birds and barn owls to ospreys, eagles and the roseate spoonbill – a bird that can give the flamingo a run for its money in the “pink” department. Also, due to its east-west orientation and unique geology, wind and water currents push sea shells onto Sanibel’s beaches – making the island one of the top places in the world for shelling.
Luckily, many have seen to it that the natural resources and wildlife habitat of the island are preserved. The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation was created in 1967 and provides education, research and monitoring of the island and surrounding habitat. As well as a wildlife center with walking trails and a butterfly house, the Foundation hosts programs on Florida essentials like birds, gators, bobcats, native plants and turtles. They also run river and dolphin cruises, and kayak tours led by naturalists.
The best months for birding on Sanibel are December through March, but if you visit this October 16-22, you can catch the 22nd Annual “Ding Darling Days” at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the largest refuge on the island.
Put on by the Ding Darling Society, a booster club for the refuge, the event celebrates National Wildlife Refuge Week. The week begins with a family fun day, complete with touch-tank and butterfly exhibits, face-painting, hot dogs, nature crafts, and animal programs – all free. Like Family Fun Day, each other day of the celebration is themed – with days like “Technology in the Outdoors” and “Animal Investigation Day,” that includes a free talk on animal tracks and scat (or sea life and nature cruises for the less adventurous).
Nature photography has always been a popular activity on Sanibel and a photo contest will be part of the events – but there is also a cartooning contest, to honor Ding Darling. Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling was a conservationist and a Pulitzer-Prize-winning political cartoonist.
As well as serving as the head of the U.S. Biological Survey (forerunner of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Darling was the first president of the National Wildlife Foundation, and creator of the federal duck stamp program (aka the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act), which generates money to acquire and preserve wetlands (including, of course, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge).
If you miss the Ding Darling Days or want other things to do while you’re on the island, here are a few suggestions:
The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum – This isn’t your road-side racket posing as a museum. It’s the real-deal – a specialized natural history museum dedicated to malacology, or the study of mollusks. Not only do they have a collection of southwest Florida shells, but more than 150,000 samples from around the world.
Sanibel Historical Museum and Village – The museum tells the story of Sanibel, starting with the days of the native American Calusa who once inhabited the island, through the 1800s when pioneering families came to the island. The village part of the museum features a handful of restored buildings representing periods from the 1800s through the 1940s. Live presentations and knowledgeable docents make this museum a nice break from the beach.
Sanibel Island Lighthouse (Point Ybel Light) – Though it isn’t open to the public, seeing the oft-photographed structure (built in 1884) is a must for lighthouse fans. There is also a beach access near the light that leads to a quiet spot for good shelling and bird watching.
Periwinkle Way – On one of the two main streets on the island, Periwinkle Way is “downtown” Sanibel with plenty of unique shops and restaurants.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille – Florida fiction fans might recognize Doc Ford as the name of the baseball-loving marine biologist who stars in the mystery series written by Randy Wayne White. White, who was a light-tackle fishing guide in Sanibel for many years, used to sell fish right in building where the bar is located. The menu is replete with seafood offerings (including a raw bar) but it also has landlubber favorites like chicken, cheese steak, pulled pork and salads.
Sanibel Flats – If you need a book to read on the beach, try White’s first Doc Ford book, Sanibel Flats. Many say it’s their favorite in the series. Doc Marion Ford is an ex-operative who is now enjoying a quiet life on the island when an old friend returns and asks for a favor that puts Ford back in the line of fire. White’s knowledge and perspective on the Gulf Coast adds the spice that keeps readers following Ford.
If you decide to make a trip to Sanibel, you should check out the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce’s website for tips on places to stay.
I hope you enjoyed this first installment of the day trip/beaches series. If so, would you be so kind as to share it on Facebook by clicking the share link below? And be on the lookout for more articles like this coming your way soon.
