“So how was it?” Asked friends and family upon our recent return from South Florida and as I began to put this article together I realized that we would have to revisit the telling this experience. With that said, Florida is more than Great Destination worthy. It is an experience to continue seeking and exploring.

We were set for 6-days that would take us from Ft. Myers for shelling, kayaking and sailing, then to Big Cypress Seminole Reservation for a safari, and finally Miami for offshore fishing.

There were three of us traveling for most of this adventure, Scott Price, who is new to the BOM crew, made his inaugural journey and we were happy to share this particular adventure with him. Charles and I arrived at Ft. Myers Airport mid-week; picked up our rental car and drove 45 minutes to our hotel, The Sand Piper Golf Resort www.sandpipergulfresort.com/ located on the beach.

Sandpiper Beach Resort
Courtesy of the Lee County Visitor’s Bureau, the quaint accommodations and personable staff provided a pleasant atmosphere. The location’s bright yellow buildings made it stand out against the white sand and tranquil blue Gulf of Mexico waters. Wishing to quickly settle in, we found that in the resort’s practice to conserve resources, our rooms were not yet ready. No sweat, we’re eco conscious travelers so we decided to grab a snack before preparing to dine with our Lee County representative.

Sunset on Ft. Myers Beach

Dinner was relaxing, enchanting and a great introduction to the Ft. Myers vibe. Situated on the marina side, we watched boats pass by and even shared the peaceful setting with a few well-adapted egrets. By 8pm we had had our fill of seafood and were off to begin covering a 5-day Florida adventure at an indie-500 pace that would not let up until our arrival in Miami.

Day 1- 5:30am
We started our day before sunrise, packed up the camera gear, and headed to Sanibel Island to meet Captain Mike Fuery for a private shelling excursion on Cayo Costa State Island Preserve, www.floridastateparks.org/cayocosta/.

Sunrise off Sanibel Island (right)

Though only 15 miles from our hotel, the drive from Ft. Myers Beach to Sanibel was about 30-minutes. Due to the island’s wild life, Sanibel is strict on its speed limit. As soon as we crossed onto the island a raccoon, a fox and something that we did not recognize unexpectedly crossed our path.

Cayo Costa State Island Preserve is one of one hundred Florida barrier islands an area considered the #1 spot for shelling in the United States and #4 spot in the world. The barrier islands form a shelf like shape into the Gulf of Mexico allowing exotic seashells to wash up on shore. Thousands liter the beach and we were on a mission to find some treasures. Captain Fuery is an authority on the species found on these islands. The morning was picture perfect. We pulled into our rendezvous point where Capt. Fuery was sipping a cup of coffee. Before getting our morning activities underway, he scheduled breakfast at the popular and legendary, Cabbage Key Inn, www.cabbagekey.com/restaurant.htm, located on Pine Island Sound.

Cabbage Key Inn

The island is only accessible by boat and is and offers visitors as the site says, “winding nature trails, picturesque views and relaxation.”

Cabbage Key Inn is known for its tradition of posting dollar bills on the restaurant walls and ceiling since 1940. Sailors who frequented the establishment would sign and post a single dollar on the wall to insure future drinks. Local patrons to U.S Presidents have since posted their dollars joining in the tradition. The Wells family, who has chosen to maintain its integrity, also hosts an annual catch and release fishing derby. They also donates a portion of the posted dollar bills annually to charity. Dollar Wallpaper
Future drink secured

We enjoyed a scrumptious meal of cornmeal pancakes, corned beef hash, turkey bacon, French toast and eggs. This place wasn’t short on toast either; they give out abundance.
CKW and Fuery chat over breakfast

With full bellies we were off to enjoy a morning of shelling. We wished the anglers luck on the water and headed to Cayo Costa State Island Preserve Park where we would comb the beaches for shells originating from as far as the Caribbean and the sands of Mexico.

Mike Fuery beached the boat and immediately pointed out different collectibles like Junonia, Beaded Periwinkle and King’s Crown. It was obvious that this guy enjoyed explaining every tidbit of information; allowing Charles to appreciate the delicate specimens left behind by the myriad of mollusks and invertebrates. We tucked a few away for our daughter while learning about the value of these precious shells.

While most of my perspective was from behind the camera the shelling experience was calming and a great way to kick off our week of activities. Many of the islands we powered passed are only accessible by boat and are a perfect haven for nesting animals and the wealthy who find refuge in the islands’ inaccessibility.

To book a private shelling excursion email Captain Mike Fuery at junonia4@aol.com.

We arrived back at the dock and bade Captain Fuery good-bye. From here, we vacillated on whether to eat on the island or get back to insure being on time for our next excursion, paddling The Great Calusa Blueway. During this time, Charles stepped on the gas a bit too hard and before we realized, a boyish looking plain clothed policeman pulled us over. Ouch! We were sure to look as lost and as puzzled as possible.

We regrouped at a restaurant on Ft. Myers changed into water resistant gear provided by Sierra Designs, makers of outdoor clothing. The light innovative clothing would allow for us to remain dry even in 90-degree heat. After gearing up we trekked over to Bunche Beach, named after the brilliant African American ambassador Ralph Bunche. Kayaking this waterway offered a window into the world, which the Calusa Indians enjoyed centuries ago. We met with Betsy Clayton of the Lee County Parks & Recreation. Betsy relocated to this area of Florida from Colorado. She knew that the Calusa Blueway was one of the best paddling waterways in the United States and wanted the option of paddling it whenever she wished. The waterway is 190-miles worth of canoe and kayaking trails and its shallow depths allows for a more safe and tranquil experience away from large power boating traffic.

Betsy set us up with an outing to launch from Bunche Beach to start our journey. As we traveled on the water we were in awe of the thick mangroves bordering the natural paths protecting beds of vegetation and plant life vital to the area’s fauna and environment. While coasting its paths we encountered egrets, great blue herons, many fish species.

The area is also known to provide refuge for manatee, bottlenose dolphin and leatherback turtles. Though just right outside of the city limits, this waterway is rich in serenity and tranquility. Kayaking is one of Charles favorite past-times and he was transfixed so much that at one point he tipped his boat and ended up standing in the knee-deep water. I believe he fell asleep from the relaxing ride but didn’t want to admit it.

Kayaking among the mangroves

Charles gets wet

Though long and winding, it will be hard to get lost on this water trail. The blueway is marked with signs to keep kayakers and canoers on course. One can also paddle with the aide of a GPS unit if necessary because it has been plotted by satellite! Needless to say if you are looking to get lost on a water trail, this is not the one. Guided tours are available through parts of the estuary and the website greatcalusablueway.com can help pair you with an outfitter or advise you on plotting a self-guided excursion.

This wrapped up our first day in South Florida. We reviewed our day’s activities through the lens and prepped for a morning of sailing with Steve and Doris Colgate, owners and operators of the Offshore Sailing School.

Day 2 – 8:30 am
Before getting on our way, we decided that a filling breakfast would be key. Therefore we need to get an extra early start to make our 10:00 am sailing appointment.

We grabbed breakfast to go from a local beachside eatery and drove across the Ft. Myers causeway to seek out the Offshore Sailing School… then realized that we had gone too far! The sailing school has four locations in South Florida; St. Petersburg, the Florida Keys, Captiva Island and Ft. Myers Beach! Needless to say, we needed to turn around. We used our time wisely by filming intros for clips to be used on the site… more of that later. This was another perfect day for the adventure at hand. Charles posted up against a palm tree to rattle off a few lines for the camera. Moored Off Shore Sailing School’s vessels served as a perfect backdrop.

Steve and Doris seem to be the quintessential couple. Both sailors, they met through the school, which Steve founded. Says Doris, “I fell in love with sailing and married my instructor.” Steve has raced every major race on the planet including competing the Olympics and the Pan American Games. He has served as the president of the International Sailing Schools Association, and recently fulfilled his lifelong dream of sailing around Cape Horn, a sailor’s ultimate achievement. Doris Colgate serves as CEO of the company and has channeled her efforts in sailing education particularly for women. The Colgates are listed in Who’s Who of America, have authored numerous books and sailing manuals and have won a plethora of awards. Not enough can be said about this couple and the pleasure we felt to be in their company and under their wings!

Steve and Doris greeted us enthusiastically then put Charles in the hands of Kevin, a fun and patient instructor. Kevin started out with showing Charles around the sailboat. Though familiar with sailing, Charles is an experienced power boater and is always ready to debate the thrills each form of boating has to offer. This was soon to be an interesting lesson in boating. As captain, Kevin buckled down he gave Charles a series of tasks to prepare for launch.

Though a fast learner, Charles gave Kevin several opportunities to get his goat. For the sailors that know Charles, you would have grinned at this display. Kevin called out phrases and commands like, “man the jib, watch the boom, release the spinnakers…” Once the spinnaker was up the boat picked up speed. I was filming from the berth as the spinnaker went up and was suddenly pitched from left to right or portside to starboard but enjoyed the ride.

Being a good sport Charles laughed at himself and as the day progressed he was able to make up for the earlier mishaps. Kevin kept him on his toes and demonstrated the hustle involved in keeping a sail boat in motion. The few hours spent with the Colgates and crew hardly put a dent in the information and experience needed to pilot a sailboat but it gave us a glimpse and Charles had a new outlook on the craft.
Spinnacker up

Scott felt the same as he filmed with the Colgates from the chase boat. I can write an entire article on Offshore Sailing School and our experience so, check back with us next spring.

Though I am completely enamored with sailing. I don’t think Charles was quite swayed away from power boating after sailing with the Colgates and Kevin, but he certainly gained a lot more respect for the art.

It was mid-day and we were looking forward to laying on the beach and getting into the water. The Gulf of Mexico is warm and calmer that swimming in the ocean so we were eager to take a dip. Charles is an avid and expert swimmer. If we are near water, it is futile to keep him from it.

Day 3- 8:00 am
This was a day where we were more than eager to get started. We were charged for our next destination, Billie Swamp Safari, located on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation where we were scheduled to spend the night for a private tour and behind the scenes look at a safari operation.

The drive was just under two hours and went relatively quick. We drove along interstate 75 and took notice of the tall fences bordering the highway. Following signs to Naples we turned off at 84 also known as Alligator Alley. Signs for Big Cypress Reservation and Billie Swamp Safari guided us down a long road. Scott who was riding in the back seat, uttered “Whoa…” We thought we missed a sign. Then, “Did you see that alligator?” Charles slowed the car down and we realized that fences did not border this road. “There’s another one…” said Scott. We pulled the car over to take a look at a 5-foot alligator basking on the embankment. This is not a place to get a flat tire. roadside gator

Big Cypress Reservation

When we arrived at Billie Swamp just after 10:00 am and were greeted by our guide AJ, Glen, and Jose. Billie Swamp is staffed with guides and personnel of all ethnicities and backgrounds; white, Mexican, Native American and black. AJ is African American and has been working with the safari for about three years. He’s young, adventurous and almost fearless. We were happy to make his acquaintance. Our first introduction to the safari was with a great lunch. The spread included frogs’ legs, which truly tastes like chicken, catfish, alligator nuggets, which doesn’t taste like chicken but is good, and Indian traditional fry bread with honey. We had held out on breakfast just to feast on these delicacies. Yummy! Scott is ready to eat
Billie Swamp platter frog legs

After brunch, we toured the guest property and stopped outside of the alligator pen. These gators were caught on the reservation and were considered dangerous to roam freely. The picture says it all.

After catching our breath from the gator display we were shown our very own chickee, a traditional Seminole hut. The managers of Billie Swamp also offered us accommodations in the main house equipped with air conditioning, shower and bath but we were determined to soak up the whole safari experience. So the hut it was… at least for now.

Swamp Buggy Eco Tour… The name can send shivers up ones spine. We climbed onto a large open vehicle for our first tour of the park. As we approached the gates to the safari it felt like we entering Jurassic Park. Though we knew alligators were featured on the tour, we were braced to see T-Rex pop out from a thicket of trees. It was exhilarating! Cape Buffalo basked in water holes along the road. As we drove by, these animals stared us down but not in a menacing matter, they were conscious of protecting their young so their eyes were focused on us. Cape Buffalo can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand 5-feet at the shoulder. AJ is very knowledgeable of animal behavior and explained the temperament of the buffalo to be relatively calm but certainly unapproachable.
Cape Buffalo

The heat of the sun waned as the road took us into an area thick with ferns, palm and cypress trees. The safari has varying eco-systems from dry hot dessert-like conditions to cool and swampy. AJ brought us to a site that was once a Seminole village and explained how fire was made and maintained, how the homes were constructed and ways in which the Seminole safe guarded their families from intruders. All villages were situated in thick vegetation to insure protection from outsiders. In our travels we also encountered a few curious raccoons, ostriches, razorback pigs, and American Bison. The tribe has about 100 plus bison with 18 babies born just this spring. An American symbol

Our next encounters were with the area’s swamp critters. A show is performed to introduce and demonstrate the animals but we had the opportunity to be hands-on with the featured creatures. Being an animal fanatic, this was my favorite part. A baby alligator was introduced to us first.
cute little hand cruncher

Though its jaws were bound shut with a rubber band, we had to respect the fact that it was large enough to take a finger or two. An armadillo followed. This is a powerful animal that believe it or not, is smellier than a skunk. How do I know this? The skunk was next.

funky but cuddly

She was cuddly like a large cat and buried her head under my arm. Before passing her off to cuddle with Charles, AJ who is a prankster, lifted her tail and sprayed Charles with a syringe. For a moment, visions of a tomato bath were in all of our heads.

Holding the tarantula proved different but surprisingly not creepy for us. AJ on the other hand, was holding his breath! Yes folks… this is his kryptonite.

Snakes, alligators and razorback pigs don’t rattle AJ’s nerves but spiders will make him shiver.

AJ and baby gator
Charles and I on the other hand were eager to hold her.

Our next vehicle excursion was the Airboat Tour, a man’s power paradise. The airboat is propelled along the water by a jet propeller. We climbed aboard and were ready to strap in but this is a ride where you just hold on!

Airboat blast

Once the boat came to a stop we were able to experience a different swamp environment, calm, peaceful and even inviting. We came upon alligators of all sizes along our travels. One was particularly curious about us and swam up to the boat. He seemed like a loner wanting brief company. AJ said he often takes the boat out to relax between gigs.

That evening we enjoyed storytelling with Glen. He was host to a small group of tourist seated around a campfire in a large traditional lodge.

Storytelling

Glen even slipped an original Billie Swamp legend into the evening, which we will not reveal. The Nighttime Swamp Buggy Tour followed this session. Scott was behind the camera. I sat in the back of the buggy and as the evening progressed, was grateful that I didn’t have filming duties. The bugs come out at night and our lights created a feeding frenzy. We failed to capture Scott engulfed in moths and other insects but maybe this is a good thing… had we, he may choose to redefine his position. Glowing eyes dominated the tour and spiders got in the way. AJ was squirming.

It was almost midnight by the time we returned to the lodges and Scott was over the bugs. He had swallowed, snorted and swatted more than his life’s share. Needless to say Scott chose to stay in the house, and though Charles and I were tempted, we headed for the chickee making sure we had our Thermacell repellent in hand and our hoodies pulled tightly over our heads. After all, we were in the Everglades and mosquitoes are prevalent.

The chickee is built like a cabin with a thatched roof. The inside is simply laid out with a bed and a chair. It was very cozy. We placed the Thermacell REELTree unit next to the bed and let the hooting owls rock us to sleep.

Chickee accommodations

Day 4- 7:30 am

Charles and I woke up wishing we could build a chickee in our backyard. It was that restful.

We met up with Scott and joined AJ for a special demonstration of alligator wrestling. We couldn’t imagine which alligator he was going to tussle with but it included getting Charles to sit on reptile. This took a little bit of coaxing but he mustered up the guts. I asked him what it felt like and he replied, “like a hot dragon.”

Charles. Can you take this off my shoulders?

Get me a bigger one

Where do you want him?

I dance with gators too!

Billie Swamp staff

The staff was incredibly friendly and fun loving. This was an experience and trip that we wished to take again and again and vowed to bring Dakota. This safari is kid friendly, safe and affordable. Just 2-hours from Miami and just as close to Ft. Myers. For details on pricing log onto, www.seminoletribe.com/safari/.

It was time to get started on the last leg of the trip, Miami. We would stop first at the Miami International Airport to drop off Scott. We were grateful to borrow him away from his family for four days and it was time for him to return.

Scott’s sunset

Getting there was easy and direct. Charles was more than ready to rest up for the next morning’s fishing excursion. King fish, tuna and sailfish was all he could think about. We would rest up after having a delightful dinner at Bleu Moon Restaurant in Biscayne Bay. Located at the marina the Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay and faces the marina. The view is romantic and elegant. Restaurant manager, Bertha Galindo, joined us along with her friend Luis who brought his photo album of fishing conquests. The meal was incredibly tasty and specially prepared by Puerto Rican native, Chef Gilly. I had a Seabass prepared in a miso sauce and Charles had an incredible Crab cake that champions all we have had the pleasure of sampling. Maryland crab cakes need to be concerned. To top off dinner we were delighted with a Tiramisu that melted in our mouths, a Greentea Crème Brule and an incredibly fragrant sorbet made from rose pedals!

Bleu Moon desert
The night didn’t end there. We ended up hanging out with Bertha and her friend Luis and the famed Monster Fishing boat for a few hours in the marina and stumbling back to our place of rest at 1:00 am but still determined to make our 6:30 am offshore fishing date.

Day 5 – 6:00 am

Here is where I defer to the Featured article. We met with Dave Koyko, a captain he hasn’t seen in 10-years. This warranted an independent story, South Beach is Hot… Hot… Hot with Fishing. I did my best in capturing it on film and cheering him on to bring in lunch and extra for family and friends.

Enjoying downtime offshore fishing

To close our trip, we were invited for dinner in South Beach at Grazie, Italian Cuisine. This is a restaurant owned and operated by the unique partnership of Spurgeon Soloman and Moshe Petel. Unique because neither is Italian but worked and learned homemade recipes for almost ten years with a renowned Italian restaurateur. Spurgreon is South American and Moshe is Israeli. The meal they served was mouth watering. We opted for small plates thinking that it would keep the meal light but this proved to be more filling than we could imagine. We each started off with a seafood tomato soup with muscles, squid, snapper and scallops then we were brought a sweet pasta ravioli stuffed with pumpkin followed by a large meatball smothered in zesty sauce. Next we were each brought a healthy Filet Minion paired with a Pino Noir, King Estate.

Grazie Filet Minion

At this point Charles and I had to stop eating. We were full and do not believe in letting food go to waste. We sampled the delicious homemade ice creams for dessert and had to sit back to breath slowly. We were able to utter, “Grazie” but really wanted a pillow.

Charles and I lumbered back to our gracious hosts’ home, and were no good for long. Thanks to Lee County Visitors Bureau. We knew our spirits would be called back to Florida very soon to continue with adventures in the outdoors and cultural exchanges.

For more information on the people, places and things to do in South Florida, please visit the following websites; Visit Florida at visitflorida.com, Lee County visitor’s Bureau at leevcb.com, Billie Swamp Safari at seminoletribe.com/safari, and Miami Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at miamiandbeaches.com