Courting Cortez

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September 4, 2019

In the past, we had seen numerous posts about the charming fishing village of Cortez. So when we went to the Gulf coast recently, we decided to make a stop there and have a look around.

According to the latest census, there are fewer than 5,000 people in this sleepy little village. That appears to be true. In fact, we noticed that the “historic district” covers a little over a dozen blocks just off Cortez Road.

In their walking tour map of the area, the Cortez Village Historical Society lists just short of 100 structures. Most are homes, but there are a number of restaurants, shops and businesses included as well.

Listed as “The Last Fishing Village on the Suncoast,” it has remained virtually undisturbed by modern development.

The Maritime Museum

However, we did find a couple of tourist attractions in Cortez. First, it is the home of the Florida Maritime Museum. As a fishing village established in the 1880s, Cortez is the perfect place for this facility.

Docents at the museum told us that their goal is to “collect, preserve and share” the artifacts and knowledge of the area’s maritime and fishing heritage.

They have done just that.

We found the place to be loaded with historic pieces, each with its own unique story. One of the largest single displays was a skiff that had been used for fishing. Mounted behind it were several antique outboards that could have run it about in the waters of Palma Sola and Sarasota bays.

The historic skiff and other artifacts at the Maritime Museum in Cortez

In addition to the displays of fishing and sailing gear, we saw vintage navigational instruments, charts on the different kinds of fish harvested and even a wide variety of shells that had been collected over the years.

Exhibits ranged from depictions of the original residents, to the development of commercial fishing and even recreational boating. There are several dioramas and the walls are dotted with photos, paintings and plenty of descriptions of what you are viewing.

As we walked the grounds, we found that the buildings themselves are of historic significance. The museum is housed in what was the original Cortez Schoolhouse. Another building on the grounds was the old Burton Store. That was undergoing renovation even while we were there.

The Cortez Cultural Center

As we walked behind the museum, we saw a small foot bridge. Dubbed “The Bonefish Bridge,” it spans a small canal. We later learned that those in kayaks actually traverse the waters underneath.

On the other side is the Cortez Cultural Center. It too is a repository for the better than a century of area’s history.

As small as it is, we found the cultural center to be chocked-full of artifacts and stories. Again, the walls were peppered with photos and written explanations.

The cultural center is a fascinating place. It gives background on the many families that helped to develop this community. We learned that these people were hearty and resourceful in pulling a living out of the nearby waters.

Snapshots, maps, artifacts an displays were everywhere in the Cortez Cultural Center.

The nice thing was that in both locations, there were docents eager to tell us the story of Cortez. For us this was an amazing journey to view the rich history of this tiny town.

Lunch at the Swordfish

As you can imagine, all this touring works up an appetite. Fortunately for us there were a couple restaurants just down the road. (Actually, nothing is very far away in Cortez).

For the second time, we found ourselves at a fish restaurant. I must admit, the Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar proved to be another great choice. Although we arrived right at opening time, the staff was quite gracious and welcomed us in – seating us immediately.

Both the inside dining area and the outside deck are spacious. We surmised this place probably does a brisk business in the evenings. The booths are attractive, separated by antique rod & reel with anchored lines. The outside is done in tiki hut style.

Again, we got a Cortez history lesson with our lunch.

In fact while we were there, a troubadour and his guitar already had taken to the stage and was entertaining those on the back deck.

The Menu

Because we were at a seafood restaurant, I broke down and ordered the gator “bites.” I figured, better I eat the gator than the other way around. Mrs. Funmeister demurred and had a chicken salad on marbled rye.

Again, just as at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, we had a delightful lunch and a great view. We can absolutely recommend the Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar – even if you are not a seafood lover.

Incidentally, Christie was a great waitress.

Lunch at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez was both fun and tasty.

In Conclusion

This time around, we had a chance to see some of the highlights of this quaint little fishing village. And we got enough of a taste to want to come back and see more. Next time, for instance, we will come back when it is a bit cooler and we can take the walking tour. It will be interesting to view these historic homes.

In the end, Cortez is a fun little place and just the kind of off the beaten track location we love. And, we think you might love it as well.

September is Honey Month

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Florida Funmeister

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September 1, 2019

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September is Honey Month. Florida has a rich history in honey. And if you have visited the Sunshine State, you’ve probably had a taste of the fabled Orange Blossom Honey. But have you ever tried Sea Grape honey? There’s also Mangrove, Palmetto, Gallberry and even Brazillian Pepper honey.

Each has its own unique flavor.

Florida features a couple of Honey Bee Festivals as well. There’s one in Bartow and another in Jacksonville. But the grandaddy of them all is the Tupelo Honey Festival. In fact – our trip there actually was one of our very first blogs.

Business was brisk at the Tupelo Honey Festival.

The Tupelo Honey Festival is held in the town of Wewahitchke, Florida. Have you ever heard of it? Can you even pronounce it?

When Mrs. Funmeister and I decided to stop waiting for “when,” we began looking for places and things to enjoy “now.” That, despite a small budget and a limited amount of time. One of our initial forays indeed, was to experience Florida’s Tupelo Honey Festival.

Tupelo’s Honey Festival

Since 1941, local beekeepers have gathered in “Wewa” as they say. They show their wares and display their collections of the much sought-after product. The gallons they harvest are made by literally hundreds of thousands of bees who have worked the local Tupelo trees.

The area southwest of Tallahassee is one of the few places these finicky trees will grow and once a year they put out blossoms the bees can work.

It Was A Trip

From where we sit, it is every bit of an eight hour trip even in the best of circumstances. For this journey we decided to take the back way for at least part of it. So we set out with our sights set on another little-known stop. The historic Putnam Lodge in scenic Shamrock, Florida. That’s just north of Cross City.

We jumped off I-75 just south of Gainsville and wound our way around to the old Dixie Highway then on to our destination.

Putnam Lodge was built in 1927 by the Putnam Lumber Company. It’s part of a bygone era in Florida’s forestry history. The restored and modernized Putnam Lodge offers two dozen guest rooms with a choice of kings, queens, suites.

We chose a modest room with a queen that was quite comfortable, (although we’d suggest a room at the back of the lodge with a better view and away from the highway.)

Following a pleasant overnight stay. we jumped back on the Dixie Highway to Tallahassee and after a brief layover, again took the back roads. We headed west through Trenton, Bristol and Blountstown – then south to Wewahitchke.

The Festivites

Upon our arrival, we found the Tueplo Honey Festival already in swing. It was packed with people. There were dozens of booths, exhibits and displays in and around Lake Alice Park – where the festival was held.

It was peppered with a mixture of food tents, arts & crafts booths and of course, lots and lots of honey. Among the local apiaries represented were Smiley Honey, R&J Apiaries and L.L. Lanier and Sons Tupelo Honey.

Good News & Bad News

The folks at Lanier told us that year’s honey crop had been “a great disappointment.” Apparently everything had been perfect for a record-breaking year. The bees were strong, the weather was almost perfect, and the river had been up most of the year. But in the end there was less honey than last spring. That apparently was due to heavy rains that caused the blooms to drop early.

However, the honey that was harvested was of great quality. From the consumer side, we didn’t see any of the shortage. There appeared to be plenty of honey at the festival. Although the largest size available was the two-pound bottle with a base price of $18 per pound, there also was no price break on bulk purchases.

To augment their supply of Tupelo, some of the vendors offered other varieties. We took advantage and picked up some wildflower, orange blossom, buckwheat, bamboo, gallberry, sourwood, goldenrod and even cotton honey.

We purchased a lot and a wide variety and all of it has been well worth the price. It was a wonderful little gathering as festivals go and Wewahitchke is a cute little town.

Although it was a long trip, the roads are good and the traffic was not bad (except on the interstates.) The festival always is held on the third weekend in May.

Honey Stores

Now, if you don’t want to wait for a honey festival, there are lots of honey stores scattered around Florida. Of course, we have blogged about The Bee Barn in Hardee County. But there’s also the Buzzn Bee Farm in Gainsville, Buzz-on-in Store in Fort Pierce and The Sarasota Honey Company even offers free tours.

So there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy real Florida Honey. We’d like to know – what’s Your favorite variety and where do you get your honey? We suggest a local apiary. Let us know on our Florida Fun Travel Facebook Page.

A Siesta Key Retreat

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Florida Funmeister

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August 30, 2019

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CaptivaMotel — It's a retro place right from the 60s

Recently we had a chance to get back to Siesta Key. In the past it was voted America’s #1 Beach.

There, we enjoyed our second stay at a little retro place called Captiva. It’s one of a group of lodging facilities on Sara Sea Circle, The facility has the feel of a 1960’s-style motel with all the creature comforts we need.

Visit Retro Florida

Walking across the courtyard is your first hint. Where usually is grass, it instead is covered with a lush coat of astroturf. The plush fabric feels great between the toes and there’s no chance of sandspurs or ant hills to spoil the experience.

Around the expanse of green are a variety of sitting areas. There are umbrella-covered tables and chaise lounges, There’s even a number of beanbag chairs to add to the ambience.

Everything You Need is There

Our lodging was a three room suite with a kitchenette, a nice sized bathroom and a living area dominated by a king-sized bed. The bed was very comfortable, and situated in front of a large, flat screen TV. We never did turn it on, but it was there in case we needed it.

In fact, there’s so much to do at Captiva we did not need electronics. The motels on the Sara Sea Circle share a wonderful pool area, which is ringed with palm trees and an array of natural flora. That both shields the pool for privacy and gives it a true tropical feel. For those who don’t actually want to get into the water, there’s plenty of seating on the brick deck around the pool. Folks can lounge with their favorite beverage and soak up the sun.

We observed several couples leafing through local brochures to see what all there was to do in the area. Just down from the pool is a small shuffleboard court. By small, I mean there were only two lanes. As we strolled by there was a 30-something couple trying their hand at the sport. (In training for their “golden years” we presumed).

The Gulfside Beach is The Thing

However, the big attraction is the private beach area, It was just a hop, skip and a jump from our suite. More accurately, it was about a two minute walk. It wound down a brick pathway, then out into the sand. Along the way there were benches to sit where you could take off your shoes, There also was a foot wash for when you were done in that beautiful sugar white, quartz sand.

Walking through the sand there was an alcove lined by seagrapes and other vegetation. There also were sand dunes for sitting. We opted to walk out onto the wide expanse of hard beach that leads to the warm waters of the Gulf. It is a favorite place to gather in the evening to watch the sunset.

It was an amazing and diverse crowd the night we were there. Young children ran to and fro – one was practicing cartwheels. Young lovers stood arm in arm silhouetted against the orange sunset absorbed in each other. There was one lady in a long Hawaiian print dress who emerged with a giant cocktail glass. There was even a guy sitting on the dunes playing his ukulele. “Is this Hawaii?” she asked him. “No, this is Florida with a ukulele,” he responded.

In addition to watching the sun go down, Crescent Beach at Siesta Key is a great place to find treasures. There’s a myriad of different shells and even some occasional driftwood. We brought home some of each. It’s also a great place to take a walk. But keep your eye on the time. It is easy to find yourself far down the way simply enjoying the sea breeze and the gentle sound of the waves.

The Dining

One of the nice things about Siesta Key is that in addition to its own variety of restaurants and other eateries, it is close enough to Sarasota for a quick trip. We began by going to Morton’s Gourmet Market to stock up for a quick breakfast for a morning repast in our room.

Morton’s has a wonderful deli. There’s plenty of hot selections and an extensive bakery. We got everything we needed for a quiet breakfast together.

For dinner, we visited Bob’s Train. Hidden in the back of an industrial park, it is a succession of railway cars with a circus theme. Old circus videos play at each end of the dining area. There is a second car with the kitchen and a private dining area. A third car set up for large gatherings.

All are festooned with circus posters, pictures and memorabilia.

Bob himself comes out and talks about his work with the circus and a number of other activities in which he was involved. On our visit, he took us out back to see a new sculpture. It’s an 1870s steam locomotive he is building from scrap pieces.

Still to come are a coal tender and an engineer. We really enjoy this area and have blogged in the past about the famous Sarasota Farmer’s Market, the “Unconditional Surrender” statue and other attractions – but stay tuned there are some other places we have yet to visit and we will be sharing them soon.

Siesta Key is a great place to relax and enjoy. We give it five stars.

Our Traveling Picnic Basket

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Florida Funmeister

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August 27, 2019

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When we travel, along with our suitcase and travel bag, we also carry a traveling picnic basket. Why a picnic basket? We were asked this question as recently as our last trip. My wife politely explained to the gal at the breakfast nook; “Well, we don’t do styrofoam,” she said – putting her hand on a stack of the nearby white styrofoam coffee cups, “so rather than make a fuss, we just bring our own.”

More than a Picnic Basket

However, the unbleached insulated paper coffee cups (along with the accompanying insulation rings and lids) are only the tip of the iceberg. There is a selection of paper plates, napkins and reusable dinner ware that we carry in the event we might need them

Additionally, there are food and food supplements, such as a small container of raw, natural honey, as well as MCT powder we use as a creamer for our coffee and tea. Usually the hotels supply coffee and tea but we carry our own because there have been times when there was none or what was provided was not to our taste. Rather than make a fuss, we brought our own.

Coconut oil and Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother are included inasmuch as they can be used for a host of maladies such as an upset stomach from over eating or eating things not on our usual diet.
We have developed this basket over the course of our travels in an effort to meet our personal taste and needs and it also adds to our pleasure at the free breakfasts offered at many of the motels we frequent.

A rare view of the inside of the picnic basket

It’s More than a Picnic

Some items such as resealable bags are helpful for snacks we carry to our room or for storing leftovers from restaurants or items we have picked up at local organic markets and deli takeouts. Our goal is keeping it small but having the little extras make for the good life.
In fact, we recently decided to add a new item – a plastic tablecloth to use as a cover for some of the many bed-top picnics in which we have indulged.

The basket is a small wicker one, and stacks well with our travel bag when going to our room. At the end of each excursion we clean and restock it – so for the most part – it stays packed and ready alongside our travel bag so we are ready to go at a moments notice.
Moreover, we purchase a lot of these items on sale so we have what we want at a better price.

If you travel a lot – you might want to consider carrying a picnic basket and a cooler so you have what you want, when you want – at a great price.

Anna Maria Oyster Bar – An Amazing Experience

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Florida Funmeister

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August 24, 2019

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We are not seafood lovers, so to tell me we would end up at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar would have been amazing in itself. But it turned out to be one of the greatest dining experiences we have had in our sojourn around Florida

It started as a drive up Longboat Key, when Mrs. Funmeister spotted Historic Bridge Street. Being a sucker for “historic” things, we swung the funmobile down the street. It terminated at the Anna Maria Oyster bar and the number one parking spot was vacant.

We took it as a sign.

At the end of the pier at Bradenton Beach, the Anna Maria Oyster Bar is a welcoming place.

Known officially as Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier, it is one of four locations in the area. I decided to take some photos from the pier. In the meantime, my wife decided to look at the menu. To my absolute astonishment, she suggested this would be a great place to dine.

Let the record show, we are not seafood lovers. However, this is a chain that has options. Instead of eating in the indoor dining room, we opted for the deck. The elevated tables gave a great view of the juncture of Palma Sola and Sarasota bays.

The view from the open air, covered deck is just wonderful.

On the Deck

The deck is covered, shielding you from the sun. And the afternoon provided a nice breeze – which keep the air moving. We drew Lisa D. as our waitress. She was very efficient. Moreover, she knew a lot about the area, which really enhanced our experience.

While we were there, the Anna Maria Princess left on one of their evening cruises. You could hear the music as the paddlewheeler made its way out onto Sarasota bay.

With a blast of its horns, the Anna Maria Princess was on its way.

The Food

Followers of this blog know, we don’t do seafood. I ordered the portabello mushroom appetizer, she got a medley of sides. Those included Hush Puppies, Cole Slaw, Red Bliss Potatoes and mixed veggies. In this case it was Carrots, Green Beans and Wax beans.

My Portabellos were plentiful and not greasy

Her sides also were a great meal – cooked but still firm.

We sent our compliments to the chef.

The Ambiance

As noted earlier, the pleasant surroundings enhanced the meal wonderfully. In addition to the Anna Maria Princess, there was a sufficient amount of water traffic of all kinds to keep us interested. Even a stand-up paddleboarder made his way through the boats at anchor during our stay.

We watched a lone paddleboarder make his way through the boats at anchor.

In the end, whether you are a seafood lover or not, The Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier is a true hidden gem. There’s plenty of selection on the menu, it all comes at a very reasonable pricepoint and the view from the outside deck is wonderful.

Wonderful Wabasso

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Florida Funmeister

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August 18, 2019

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We can hear it now – “Where’s Wabasso?” Nestled between Sebastian and Vero Beach along the fabled Treasure Coast is the hamlet of Wabasso. Although it seems small as you drive through the single stoplight at the intersection of US Highway 1 and State Road 510, the area considered Wabasso covers quite a bit of territory all things considered.

Wabasso is the home both of the Wabasso Bait & Tackle Shop and the Wabasso Beach Shop. Both are necessary stops depending on whether you are a fisher person, a surfer or a swimmer.

The Wabasso Beach Shop is a compendium of surfer gear, beach equipment, clothing and souvenirs. It is an attraction in itself.

A quick turn on 510 will spirit you down Bridge Blvd, past the Wabasso Causway Park, over the Indian River Bridge and onto Wabasso Island. There you’ll find both the posh Marsh Island Club gated housing community and the Environmental Learning Center.

Heading east, you’ll go over another bridge, past tiny Michael Island, onto Wabasso Beach Road and the barrier island. It terminates at Wabasso Beach Park. The park is one of many on the thin barrier island which starts at Palm City and parallels the Florida coast all the way to Port Canaveral.

Wabasso Beach itself is a pleasant place. In mid-August, it is sparsely populated. A few swimmers, some folks getting a tan, some digging for shells or fishing – while others were just walking the beach. It’s not until winter when wave action picks up that the surfers arrive.

The water was blue and the surf was small at Wabasso Beach when we were there. A lone jet skier did ram around for a time.

Wabasso is One of Many

In fact, the barrier island is dotted with great little beaches. To the north there’s Golden Sands Park. In addition there’s Treasure Shores and Ambersand Beach. Further up near Melbourne you’ll find Barefoot Bay Beach, Bonsteel Park, the Barrier Island Sanctuary, Juan Ponce DeLeon Landing, The Spessard Holand Parks and Ocean Park.

In the midst of it all is Sebastian Inlet State Park. Located 10 miles south of Melbourne and six miles north of Vero Beach, it serves as the dividing line between Brevard and Indian River Counties.

Sebastian Inlet State Park is open around the clock and has plenty to do for the $8 per car admission fee. To start with, they have a trio of bike trails, and a birding trail.

There are boat ramps that provide the gateways to the Indian River Lagoon, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Sebastian River as well as the Atlantic Ocean. You can rent canoes and kayaks that can be paddled either to islands or along the shoreline of the Indian River Lagoon.

And there’s camping, swimming, fishing, picnicking and playgrounds for the kids.

Back to Wabasso

But our trip was to Wabasso. It has other claims to fame. There’s Nature Farms, aka – the Wabasso pineapple farm. Sadly, by the time we got there, no pineapples were left. Apparently an early summer heat had ripened the thousand or so that were in stock and all had been sold.

On the other hand, we found Rock City Gardens. The nursery was started in 1978 by Ed and Hilda Chapin. They were second-generation owners of the historic Tennessee tourist attraction Rock City – and that’s where it got its name. In 1983 the nursery was purchased by Tom and Rhonda Lowe. They own an operate it to this day.

Described as “Seven Acres of Inspiration,” Rock City Gardens is a landscaping and nursery business, event center and botanical park that can keep people busy for hours. In addition to weddings and photo shoots, there are walking trails lined with fountains, water features and tons of ideas on how visitors might decorate the grounds of their own homes.

The crushed stone path at Rock City Gardens leads you by fountains, water features, plants and hardscapes that are beautiful and functional.

Serious gardeners have described it as one of the best nurseries on the East Coast. In addition to their charming nature trail, spectacular pond and man-made creek, they feature an extensive bromeliad area. One of the most amazing parts is, there’s no admission charge.

Our Stay on the Treasure Coast

When we went to Wabasso, we took our own advice and stayed off site. Our selection was the Best Western Plus in Sebastian. This gave us a lot of options. We could cruise up to Melbourne or down to Vero Beach. It was good accommodations at a great pricepoint.

We also found some great restaurants. We first had lunch by the sea on the deck of Waldos at the Historic Driftwood Inn at Vero Beach. It is hard to beat good food seaside. This is a place with a great staff and a wonderful menu. Again, it didn’t break the bank

The seaside ambience and great food makes an A+ for Waldo’s

Following our leisurely drive up the barrier island, we crossed the causeway and had dinner at Melbourne’s Squidlips. We had eaten at their locations both in Sebastian and Cocoa Beach. This was the last and certainly had the best ambiance.

This was a great foray onto the Treasure Coast. We already have set our sights on the Historic Driftwood Inn for a stay. We also plan to talk more about Historic Downtown Vero Beach. Ocean Boulevared has a feel all its own.

In the end. Wabasso was a great trip. It gave us a lot of ideas of other places we would like to visit in the future – especially Sebastian Inlet State Park. We recommend it for all our followers.

If and when you go, tell us how you enjoyed it.

Arr-gust is Pirate Month

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Florida Funmeister

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August 14, 2019

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Avast mateys! Did you know that Arr-gust is Pirate Month? Well, that’s what our crack research team tells us! Here in Florida, there are plenty of opportunities for privateers of all stripe to celebrate with a yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

While visiting Historic Cocoa Village, we found the Antilles Trading Company aka “The Pirate Store” – which is the home of all things Pirate.

The entrance to the Pirate store in Cocoa Village. Apparently, they take care of shoplifters onsite.

Their numerous signs about town announced them as “The Pirate Store and Museum.” Once there, we were greeted by a sales gal known as “The Sea Gypsy.” She told us the store caters to freebooters and gentlepeople alike. Inside they offer unique collectibles, well-appointed historical clothing, curios & oddities and a grand collection of meticulously curated treasures.

Their Stock

For would-be privateers, there is a wonderful selection of outfits and accessories. From hats and tunics to skirts and corsets it’s easy to get the right fit and the right look for you. They also have plenty of jewelry and other booty ripe for the taking. (Actually, they come at market prices).

You can be the Man Jack or the Belle of the Pirate Ball

More Than a Store

In addition to the store, the owners have cobbled together a great collection of period antiques which serve as a museum. These are more than curiosities. They help shoppers get in the mood to create their own pirate character while viewing actual artifacts of the day.

What’s that Mr. Smee? You’re not near Cocoa Village? We have good news! There are other pirate stores in Florida. In the north, there’s The Pirate Store in St. Augustine and Pirate Fashions in Tampa.

Pirate Adventures

Once you are suited up, there are a host of places you can go ply your new pirate character. Want to take to the high seas? In Clearwater there’s Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise. It’s billed as ” a two hour odyssey for all ages.” It includes a treasure hunt, face painting, water gun games, stories and dancing.

A group of scalawags and miscreants sets sail on The Royal Conquest out of John’s Pass.

A bit further down the Gulf Coast is Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise. They sail out of Fort Myers. Although they say their cruises are family oriented with friendly pirates filled with shenanigans and nautical nonsense, the 65-foot ship does have a bar.

The Royal Conquest can be found on John’s Pass at Maderia Beach. They also have pirate-themed adventures with a merry crew out to entertain young and old alike.

You might try The Buccaneer Pirate Cruise in Destin. Captain Steve & Wendy Wilson have a triple decked, 100 foot craft that cruises the Emerald Coast in search of undiscovered treasure on a regular schedule. They have a manifest of pirates that engage in sword fights, water gun battles and general pirate merriment.

Other Pirate Pursuits

If you are prone to sea sickness, you could look into Orlando’s Pirate Dinner Adventure. Their 46-foot Spanish Galleon is anchored in a 300,000 gallon indoor lagoon. Spectators watch as the adventure unfolds with a cast a dozen actors, singers and stunt performers. They engage in a bounty of action-packed exploits, accompanied by cannon blasts, pyrotechnics and plenty of laughs.

If you just want a small taste of the pirate life, Orlando does have The Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf.

And we would be remiss, if we did not give a shout-out to our old pal Pirate Captain Stumpy – down in Stump Pass. We hope he finds his bottle of rum.

Finally Festivals

Although they are sadly not in Arr-gust, there are several Pirate Fests in the Sunshine State. Of course, the grandaddy of them all is Tampa’s annual Gasparilla.

In February, Fort Pierce hosts the Treasure Coast Pirate Fest, The Cocoa Beach Pirate Fest is held in June and the Vero Beach Pirate & Caribbean Fest is in September. In October there’s the Boynton Beach Haunted Pirate Fest and Mermaid Splash

But this is Arr-gust! Pirate Month! We urge you to let go your inner Buccaneer – and as you can see, there’s plenty of opportunity here in the Sunshine State to get your Pirate On.

Fishermen’s Village Has It All

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Florida Funmeister

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August 12, 2019

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When in Punta Gorda, we found that a stop by Fishermen’s Village is a must. In short, it’s a resort, marina, shopping area and entertainment complex rolled into one.

We have visited Punta Gorda in the past, but only have blogged about their wonderful historic section. That being said, this is a part of the trip you really want to include.

Fishermen’s Village from one of its many parking lots.

Then & Now

The origin of Fishermen’s Village dates back to the turn of the century. Actually, the 20th Century. It stands on the site of the Maud Street City Docks which were built in 1928 to replace the old King Street pier. That’s where the fish packing plants were located.

In 1980, Fishermen’s Village was constructed as an integral part of the historic Punta Gorda community. As we toured the facility, we found row upon row of shopping and dining,

Outside there is a large marina featuring fishing charters, Charlotte Harbor boating excursions, boat rentals and villa vacation rentals. Additionally, there are live entertainment and special events.

Helen M is one of the tour boats that runs out of Fishermen’s Village.

The Helen M and The Charlotte Lady are two of the vessels run by King Fisher Fleet who specialize in sightseeing and fishing excursions. Another group sailing out of Fishermen’s Village is Holidaze Boat Rentals. They have nearly a dozen different vessels including center console, pontoon and deck boats. Also available for rent are kayaks, paddleboards and even a four-seater surrey bike (for land lubbers).

Shopping

Inside is a shopper’s paradise. The manifest includes 15 different gift and specialty shops with another 11 boutiques.

There are lots of great stores inside Fishermen’s Village including Caribongo.

From The Wash Basin, an artsy gift shop with hand-painted walls and floors, to the very fun Laff Out Loud – a center for games, puzzles, toys, nostalgia and Pop Culture Collectables – there’s something for everybody at this waterfront mall.

Boutiques include Trader Jack’s – the home of casual coastal wear and performance fishing gear, the ladies’ sandals, handbags and accessories of The Ruby Slipper and Palms on the Pier. They feature name brands such as Brighton, Vera Bradley, Tribal Sportswear, LuLu B. Clothing to name a few.

Hungry?

All that shopping can make you hungry. Don’t worry, we found four different restaurants – plus another three specialty food and drink outlets.

One of the specialty shops is the 1950s themed coffee and ice cream shop.

There’s the self-explanatory Good Ole Days Coffee and Ice Cream Shop. Or perhaps you might prefer nostalgic candies, gourmet chocolates, home made fudge or popcorn at the Simply Sweet Confectionery Cafe. They also boast the best gelato around.

Anchoring the restaurants at Fishermen’s Village is the dynamic duo of Harpoon Harry’s and The Captain’s Table. They bill it as “fun dining and fine dining.”

Harpoon Harry’s is the fun part. A restaurant and sports bar, they have been overlooking Charlotte Harbor for better than a quarter century. They have appetizers from gator bites to lobster ravioli. There’s also soups and salads, sandwiches, baskets, steam pots and even a raw bar.

It’s a great view off the deck at Harpoon Harry’s at Fisherman’s Village

Upstairs is the fine dining. The Captain’s Table offers unsurpassed views of Charlotte Harbor – especially at sunset. From their starters, to their greens, land fare and sea fare dishes are prepared with care by their award-winning chef. Private dining also is available.

In the end, there is something for everyone at Fishermen’s village. There’s a wide range of gift shops and boutiques, small eateries, wonderful restaurants and plenty of opportunities to get out on the water. Whether it’s daytime shopping or the nightlife during one of their special events, Fishermen’s Village is a must see.

You can find out more here.

Toojay’s Deli – A Great Go-To for Lunch or Dinner

By

Florida Funmeister

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August 9, 2019

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So I was scrolling through my Facebook page and one of my friends had posted they were at the TooJay’s Deli and Restaurant in Orlando. Earlier, we did a story about First Watch as a go-to place for breakfast. In that same way, TooJay’s is our go-to place for go to deli food.

Our First TooJay’s Deli

Our first experience with TooJay’s Deli, Bakery and Restaurant came when we visited the Garlic Festival in Lake Worth. We were in the downtown area and spotted the place. We decided to try it out.

In addition to being a great restaurant, TooJays features a deli and a bakery.

As we came in the front door, we were greeted with several cases featuring baked goods and deli items. The place was hopping. There were customers walking out the door with brown paper bags full of goodies with others waiting for a table.

We perused the menu which was rich with sandwiches, salads, entrees and seasonal favorites. Mrs. Funmeister ordered the Reuben – I responded by ordering the Rachel. The Reuben’s classic corned beef is countered by the Rachel’s hot pastrami. Both, of course, served with cole slaw and a dill pickle.

The Reuben and the Rachel – each delicious and stacked high.

About TooJay’s Deli

Described as “America’s Favorite Deli,” TooJay’s got its start in Palm Beach, Florida back in 1981. Owners say it was “born out of the passion for creating the classic recipes and flavors of a New York deli – served with lots of love and amazing hospitality.

The chain now has nearly 30 locations throughout the Sunshine State. In addition to the original Palm Beach restaurant, there are TooJay’s in Broward county, along the Treasure Coast and the West Coast of Florida, in the Orlando area, The Villages and down the Space Coast.

Great Food Great Service

We have eaten at five of the TooJay’s locations and have found them consistent in quality of food and service. That’s been regardless of the time of day or the volume of customers in each of the stores.

It’s no wonder TooJay’s received the 2016 Best of South Florida Award for Best Deli from the Sun Sentinel, the 2017 Dining Award for Best Deli from Orlando Magazine, a pair of Foodie Awards for Best Deli as well as Best Take-Out from the Orlando Sentinel. It is ranked eighth in the country for Family Dining by Consumer Reports.

Find Out More

For more information about TooJay’s, visit TooJays.com. Follow TooJay’s at twitter.com/therealTooJays and instagram.com/toojaysdeli or visit the Facebook fan page, which has over 86 thousand fans, and become a fan at facebook.com/TooJaysDeli.

We say the best way to find out more, is to pick a location and open the menu.

The Beaches of Manasota Key

By

Florida Funmeister

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August 6, 2019

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Over the course of our travels, we’ve found the beaches of the Suncoast are difficult to beat. From Fort Myers to Sarasota there’s a nearly continuous stretch of white sand and blue water. The beaches are teeming with shells, sharks teeth, fun and sun.

On a recent trip, we decided to work our way up Manasota Key. Starting at Englewood Beach, we drove up North Beach Road. (At some point it magically transforms into Manasota Key Road.) We finished up at Manasota Key Beach.

It is a more than pleasant drive. This is a two lane roadway dotted with private homes, condominiums and Bed & Breakfasts. In many places it becomes a canopy road, making the beach-hopping that much more pleasant.

North Beach Road is a wonderful drive as you travel the Suncoast.

Englewood Beach

Our first stop, Englewood Beach, boasts all the amenities. Parking is paid but there’s a lot to do. There are changing rooms with showers and washrooms. There are areas for grilling, picnic tables, a covered playground, plus horse shoe pits, volleyball nets and basket ball hoops.

. A couple of independent vendors also set up there – including the VW Microbus of Senior Smooth.

Englewood Beach

Englewood Beach itself is wonderful. It is not very steep, which makes it easy for walking. We saw a lot of folks who had set up for the day. Some even had bean bag toss games set up and were engaged in friendly competition.

On the water we saw plenty of jet skis ramming about and a parasailer passed lazily by as we walked.

There is plenty of sun and fun at Englewood Beach.

Blind Pass Beach

Just up the road was Blind Pass Beach. From the street, one would think there wasn’t much there. The parking lot was free, it was mostly a dirt field marked only by wooden fencing. The lot was very full when we arrived. After finally putting the funmobile in a vacant spot, we ventured across the street to check out the waterfront.

Like Englewood Beach, it had bathroom facilities – but not much else. There was no playground, no covered picnic areas nor vendors. But the white beach and blue water remained a constant.

A lot more people populated the beach, and many were intent on finding shells. We learned the area indeed is a hot spot for shells and a treasure trove for those seeking shark’s teeth. One searcher had a shell shovel (aka sand flea rake.) He first dragged it through the sand, then dumped the contents on the beach. His compatriots then sifted through in search of treasure.

In search of shells, shark’s teeth and other treasures at Blind Pass Beach.

We followed him for quite a way, asking about his methods and what he had – and had not found. In the end, he was kind enough to bestow a few shark’s teeth on us. (They will be headed to the grandchild.)

Manasota Key

Like the others, Manasota Key had nice facilities for those planning to stay at the beach. Again, the parking was free and the lot was jammed. Through the grace of God, we got a spot on the front row under a tree.

There were bathroom facilities and picnic areas. Heading down the walkway to the water, we were reminded it was turtle season. Several areas had been blocked off with stakes and tape. Signs were posted saying “Turtle Nests – Do Not Disturb,” We didn’t. However, we did take a photo. Then we went on to enjoy the beach.

A sea turtle nest. We did not disturb – but did take a photo.

There were plenty of swimmers and shellers at Manasota Key. However, we did not see as much motorized traffic. There was one lady on a paddle board that did cruise by as we enjoyed the day.

Again, the blue water and white sand prevailed. It also seemed to be the only one of the three beaches that had a lifeguard shack. Manasota Key Beach is rimmed with tropical foliage and trails. Additionally, there are boat ramps and apparently there’s fishing on the sound side.

This is a wonderfully rewarding trip. We can highly recommend the beaches of Manasota Key to anybody visiting southwest Florida. Moreover, we rewarded ourselves with a quick trip up to Englewood.

There we stopped at one of our favorite eateries, The Mango Bistro. We have blogged about this place in the past. It makes a wonderful reward after a day on the beach.

Sitting at an elevated table at the fun & funky Mango Bistro is a great way to end the day.

The Mango Bistro is a wonderful place for a lunch, dinner or snack after exploring the beaches of Manasota Key.

The Maritime Museum

The Cortez Cultural Center

Lunch at the Swordfish

The Menu

In Conclusion

Tupelo’s Honey Festival

It Was A Trip

The Festivites

Good News & Bad News

Honey Stores

Visit Retro Florida

Everything You Need is There

The Gulfside Beach is The Thing

The Dining

More than a Picnic Basket

It’s More than a Picnic

On the Deck

The Food

The Ambiance

Wabasso is One of Many

Back to Wabasso

Our Stay on the Treasure Coast

Their Stock

More Than a Store

Pirate Adventures

Other Pirate Pursuits

Finally Festivals

Then & Now

Shopping

Hungry?

Our First TooJay’s Deli

About TooJay’s Deli

Great Food Great Service

Find Out More

Englewood Beach

Englewood Beach

Blind Pass Beach

Manasota Key

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