Getting the best deal on motels can be key for a great vacation. Not only do you get an enjoyable stay, it frees up money for other things as well.
Mrs. Funmeister and I have been traveling Florida and the southeast for a couple of years now. During that time we have honed our skills in staying at the motel or hotel that give us the biggest bang for our buck.
As my father used to say, “the expensive ones are jewelry and the cheap ones are junk. Find yourself a mid-range model that does the job.” As I have gotten older, I have come to see the wisdom in this observation.
The Cheapies
Because I am married, we have not stayed in many so-called “budget” motels. There have been a number of those occasions. Mostly due to conditions beyond our control. The adage “you get what you pay for” more than applies here.
Getting the best deal on motels is more than price. Low budget motels are indeed cheap – and scrimp on the necessitates. The toiletries usually are barely sufficient. One really does not want to use the plumbing facilities unless absolutely necessary and the beds – and bedding – can be suspect to say the least.
We don’t participate in the “breakfasts” offered by budget motels. For the most part they come from a plastic bag or pouch. More often than not with the cheapest coffee, tea or other beverage they can find.
Any chain restaurant would be better.
It only took a couple of these experiences to teach us to book early, make sure we tour the rooms to see if there are any questions. Most importantly is to develop a relationship with an accommodations flag. That gives us confidence that a room unseen will at least be suitable.
The High Dollar Places
At other times, we have treated ourselves to a five star hotel – “uppity” as my wife would say. These places go out of their way to “help” you. And by “help” I mean upsell…or should I say “upgrade our experience.”
That being said, none of these upgrades are complimentary and when it comes to breakfast in the morning, they are more than willing to seat you for their gourmet and overpriced breakfast buffet.
It caused me to coin a phrase “ymbatpfi” – pronounced Youm-BATT-fie – which means (if you can afford to stay here) “you must be able to pay for it.”
The Sweet Spot
 However, somewhere in the middle, there are a number of mid-range flags which can put you in a comfortable room, with amenities, at a reasonable price. When all is said and done, getting the best deal on motels is a matter of judgement.
In the morning, there generally is a breakfast that you actually can eat, a fair array of options from waffles to fruit and many times with an attendant who keeps the facility clean and well stocked.
We have had great luck with many in the Wyndham chain – especially Microtel. We also have done well with the Baymont hotels and more recently with another chain, the Best Western.
There are some other flags, but they have been rather stiff necked about allowing my wife and me to combine our pre-marriage points under a single account. So we are taking advantage of those which are more user friendly.
In any case. we recommend you look to TripAdvisor and scour the reviews. This will help you to find a motel at your pricepoint and an enjoyable stay.
 As we travel to more places and have more fun in Florida, Mrs Funmeister and I have learned that minor league sports activities actually can be as much or more fun than their major league counterparts. And those who follow us, know we like fun at frugal prices.
Baseball
  Our journey began this year with some trips to the Class A Florida Firefrogs baseball games in Kissemmee. What a great time! In many ways it is reminiscent of the baseball we grew up with. And, the prices were right!
 They start with pre-game ceremonies including the National Anthem and the announcement of the players.
 The games are truly exciting. These young men are looking to move up, so they are playing their hearts out each game. We saw lots of running, hitting and diving for the ball. There was one rather listless left-fielder but by the next game he was gone.
 One of the games we saw was decided in the bottom of the ninth. It cam with a grand slam home run to win it for the Frogs.
Advantages
 Another great thing was our access to the players. And we’d see kids routinely run down and give the players high-fives. We ourselves walked over to the bullpen so my wife could speak with a pitcher who attended the same college as she.
 The concessions also were moderately priced. We purchased a couple hot dogs, chips and two sodas for about the same price as a beer at a major league game. Tickets for the two of us were less than half the price of a major league game. Incidentally, the team merchandise also is reasonable. I bought a Fire Frogs hat.\
Other Options
  When it comes to fun in Florida, we found the same thing in the racing world. Of course, Florida is loaded with short tracks. We found the action there meets or surpasses NASCAR at a fraction of the price.
  Recently we atteneded the second annual Pistons & Props road racing event at the Sebring International Raceway. Again, for a fraction of the price of their legendary Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring, we had a chance to see dozens of different kinds of vehicles and basically had the run of the place.
 The cars were easily accessible in the paddock and it was just as simple to talk with many of the owners about these vintage and historic cars – some of which actually ran at Sebring in the past. Mrs Funmeister actually had a chance to climb into one of the racecars and get a feel for it (sadly, he did not let her get out on the track).
 Watching the race is a;so a breeze as there are a lot fewer fans and about as many places to stand – from their elevated pit structure, to viewing mounds to simply standing along the fence line.
  So if you’re on a budget, even if you are not particularly a sports fan, the minor leagues in the Sunshine State can provide major enjoyment at affordable prices. Take a look around your area, there probably is a team about of which you have never heard – but might easily become a fan.
  That being said, stay tuned, as we go in search of more fun in Florida.
  We have planned visits to see the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Tampa Bay Stone Crabs, the short track at the Auburndale Speedway and a visit to the Avon Park MowerPlex for the NASGRASS lawn mower races.
We have seen a lot of travel blogs on how to pack. But they never suggest taking your fun with you.
We do.
There are dozens of great suggestions. We have read articles on how to roll your clothes and carrying your toiletries in plastic bags. There are recommendations on what to carry in your car, from automotive tool kits to first aid bags.
There are so many things to think about in providing for your creature comforts when you go on the road.
However, the one thing we have never seen in these blogs is fun.
Taking Your Fun
Yes, fun. It is the lightest. most compact and easy to carry item. And, it guarantees that you will have a good time wherever you are. Even the best laid vacation plans often can go astray. Everything from roadwork to spending too much time shopping can knock your dinner reservations completely askew.
Enter fun. We believe we are guided by The Lord, That being said, should we loose out on one thing – there’s another. We might head down the wrong road or end up somewhere totally different than what we had planned. But we believe there is a reason.
In fact, some of the best times we have had and some of the most interesting things we have seen and done have come due to unforeseen circumstances.
This is why we believe that taking your fun with you is your single most important item to have packed.
Detouring Depression
When you think about it, what good does it do to go sour because something has gone wrong? It can not only pollute your experience from then on, but can also retroactively spoil things that already have happened where you have had a reasonably good time.
We prefer to think of these speed bumps and detours as great opportunities to investigate and find things we heretofore did not know existed.
Make no mistake, the smart phone has made it easier to navigate but we also rely on the good old methods – such as asking the locals and looking about as to what looks interesting. In fact, on one occasion, we followed the sound of a live band to a nest of really interesting little restaurants. In fact, we actually went to the place across the street in an effort to reduce the volume to a level we enjoyed.
So when packing, our advice is to make sure your fun is with you and easily accessible. Make certain you are ready to roll with the flow and enjoy whatever your vacation has to throw at you.
 For better than a decade, one of the best fun zones in Highlands County has been Henscratch Farms Vineyard & Winery. Described by one wag as “a Cracker Barrel for those who like Florida wine,” it has a wonderful little shop with many varieties of the Muscadine and Scuppernog grapes.
 In fact. the store is loaded with goodies. There are jams and jellies, sauces (both hot and not), special spreads and even muscadine and scuppernog grape cider as well as strawbery cider – which is non-alcoholic – to go along with their wide assortment of Florida red and white wines.
 There also is a U-pick on the property for grapes and strawberries, a flock of 200 American breed laying hens that range freely among the vineyard canopy that supply their country store with fresh eggs.
  In fact, the morning we were there, a couple of chickens were roaming through the store and the clerk was doing a quick clean up and sending them back out into the yard.
  More than the foodstuffs, the store has an eclectic collection of kitchen and wine equipment as well as wine-themed accessories.
  Henscratch Farms Vineyard & Winery is a unique farming experience and is a certified “Florida Farm Winery”.
  There are ten acres of native southern muscadine and scuppernong grape varieties on the property as well as a hydroponics growing system for strawberry production and a highbush blueberry patch.
 In August they host their signature event – the annual “Grape Stomp.” There are hay ride tours of the facilities, live music, wine tastings for the adults and plenty of food – from barbecue to ice cream. Those who wish can stomp their own grapes and have a custom label made for their own wine – which can be bottled for personal use or for gift giving.
 The vineyards originally were planted in 1999. The winery started its operation with the first crush of both their muscadine & scuppernong grapes varietals in August 2003, the grapes were crushed into the primary fermenator boxes to await careful analysis and recipe completion.
 The actual first vats were bottled in November 2003. Henscratch now produces seven varieties of country-style wines celebrating the taste of the south. The winery is housed in a converted agricultural grain bin. The metal bin has been outfitted with heavy timber beams, a second floor, guest viewing area, and an outside crushing porch.
 From December thru May they are open Tuesday thru Saturday – 10am – 5pm Sunday – Noon – 4pm Remember that on Sundays, wine can’t be sold until 1pm in Highlands County. They are closed on Mondays.
  More information is available by visiting the Henscratch Farms Facebook page or their web site at http://www.henscratchfarms.com
 Casting about for a destination point on a Friday night we came upon the announcement of Dulcimers at Central Park in Winter Haven.
 ” Bring your chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening with this unique Hammered Dulcimer band as well as demonstrations from the Wildwood Dulcimers, mountain dulcimer trio.” It read. Intrigued, we set out to see (and hear) the presentation.
  To be honest – there was a lot more than was advertised. The Wildwood group was actually five strong. They also were individually amplified because they are such quiet instruments. The group played well and we had hoped they would be paired with the eight mountain dulcimers set up behind.
  Sadly, they were not.
  The mountain dulcimers were a bit louder, but they would have done well to have their sound man drop a few omni-directional microphones in amongst them to help with the sound – which was mesmerizing.
 The group played a wide array of music Christian pieces to traditional and even a few Christmas carols.
  Started by Martha Palmer of Winter Haven, the “Musical Hammers” group now is eight years old and plays in the park on the third Friday of each month.
  Actually, there are bands that play each Friday in “The Chain of Lakes City.” First Fridays features an eclectic group of musicians. For instance, in January it will be Fat Frank & The Plank Spankerss who play electric and acoustic blues and even some zydeco. The second Fridays are dedicated to local church praise bands and the fourth Fridays feature Grand Piche’ and the Jug Brothers Band.
  All appear to be so-called “co-sponsored events,” with the City of Winter Haven in an effort to bring people downtown. Well, they brought us and about two dozen other audience members ranging from enthusiasts and family to the simply curious – sprinkled with some folks who apparently just happened on the show and decided to stay.
 Afterward, we found a little restaurant nearby called The Fire. They opened about four years ago in their current location when the owners of Fromage Steaks & Subs in Lake Alfred came to Winter Haven in search of a larger venue.
 There is a full menu from appetizers to sandwiches and even elegant meals for dinner. We went to the chips and salsa for our openers. Mrs. Funmeister will judge a restaurant in large part on this dish alone. This one scored high, with warm, crisp tri-colored chips and a salsa that was flavorful without being too hot.
 I had the signature Fire Burger with white American cheese, a herb-djon spread and the fixin’s. She had the Grilled Portabello & Swiss burger – which we were astonished to find had a meat patty. After a spirited discussion about the difference between a “portabello burger” – where the giant portabello mushroom cap takes the place of the beef, and the “mushroom & swiss burger” which is an actual hamburger, adjustments were made.
 Mine was great – cooked over an open fire. She allowed hers was “good.”
 The star of the show were the sweet potato fries which were hot and crispy – not limp and even greasy as they come at some places. It was not cheap – but reasonably priced given the quality of the food. We consider it a good option (although the dinners exceed our pricepoint).
 There are several dining options as well including indoor and outdoor venues as well as the dining room and the bar. There apparently was a party of some kind on the back deck.
 The dining was not loud and quite pleasant overall.
 It had been nearly six decades since I had been to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the mermaids. So when we saw that they were having a special Christmas presentation that made up our minds for a return visit.
 Those who follow us know we like to take the back roads when we head out. That generally means a few extra minutes on our trips but also less traffic, less stress from other drivers and a whole lot more in terms of scenery and opportunities to enjoy the local culture of small towns along the way.
 This time it was three hours and change to get to our destination just outside Spring Hill. We’d departed in the morning, meaning it was the early afternoon when we arrived. It was a weekday and just ahead of a weather system, which means there were no crowds packing the rides and shows.
 We had the place almost to ourselves.
A Day at the Park
 Starting our day we walked to the back of the park for the last boat ride of the day. While waiting for the appointed shove off time, Mrs Funmeister ducked out over to the concession stand and got us a couple sandwiches. We split them and they were surprisingly good and inexpensive for theme park food.
  From 1947 yo 2008 Weeki Wachee was a private sector theme park. Just a decade ago it was taken over by the state of Florida. Although the mermaid show remains, much of the rest of the park has shifted its focus to the flora and fauna of the Sunshine State.
Up The River
 Our tour up the Weeki Wachee River was devoid of anything save the local wildlife and our guide was more than helpful as we motored gently through the crystal clear water.
“Generally when we come through here it is like Grand Central Station for kayakers,” he said.
 But as we came around the curve there was nothing save a few birds and a couple of turtles sitting on some branches along the shoreline. Looking down onto the river floor it was difficult to determine the depth.
 “It’s only four to five feet here,” he said. “But in some places you could dive off a tree and never touch bottom.”
 He proceeded to rattle off a dozen different kinds of birds and fish native to the area, then remarked about the absence of manatee or alligators.
 “With the weather coming in, I expected we’d see at least a few,” he said.
The Mermaid Show
After the boat trip we made our way up to the Underwater Theater to see the show. Apparently “Mermaid Tales” is their normal performance. It involves an instructional about how the program came to be, including the innovative breathing apparatus, and then several short performances interspersed with historic travelogue footage from television and film specials.
 The shows involve a series underwater ballet and adagio movements typical of a mid 20th century program.
 We then came back for their Christmas program and the transformation of the park was remarkable. Being December it was pitch dark early. There were thousands of mini lights showing the way around the park and various attractions from the Mermaid’s take on The Polar Express, to a progressive Nativity Scene, boat rides up the Weeki Wachee River, a special light and musical show as well as the opportunity to roast marshmallows and see Santa (and yet more Mermaids).
 The most impressive part of the evening might well have been the underwater Polar Express show. Multiple mermaids both in fish tales and Christmas pajamas did a rendering of the story through their underwater routines, an on-stage rendition of “Hot Chocolate” and a series of interpretive dances – including the appearance of a merman “conductor” and Santa himself.
  The theater was packed with kids of all ages who responded enthusiastically.’
Staying at the Microtel
  For us, it was an overnighter so we found a great hotel bargain in the little Microtel just up the road in Spring Hill. The place is described as “clean & friendly” which is right on both counts. While the rooms lack a microwave and fridge, it has most everything else including a flat screen TV.
  There’s also a weight room. computer station and the place is pet friendly. They also have a great breakfast in the morning for a quick nosh before taking off.
 For additional information visit https://weekiwachee.com/ and tell them you saw it here!
  Well it’s the Thanksgiving holiday and Mrs. Funmeister and myself are off for our annual trip to enjoy Florida and the surrounding environs. Today was our first day out and to say it has been eventful is an understatement.
 Those who follow us know we are always looking for fun places – and this trip looks to be chocked full of them.
First Stop Ocala
  We began by taking the backroads to Ocala. Although there were a myriad of opportunities for fun stops along the way, our primary goal on Day One of our Thanksgiving holiday trip was to have lunch at the fabled Ivy House. Carved out of an old Victorian mansion, it is one of the actual wooden structures in “The Brick City.”
   It is a stunning piece of architecture, highlighted by a distinctive paint job on the outside with a skillful use of antiques inside. Apparently, it is a favorite with the ladies. The lunch crowd was 85-percent women with a smattering of husbands brought along for the ride.
  There are both inside and outside seating options. Because it is November, we chose to dine inside.
  At lunchtime, a wide variety of choices are available from salads to the Angus beef hamburger. We began with an appetizer of onion rings and dip. Great selection. The rings were thin, not over-breaded or greasy and sprinkled with herbs. The dipping sauce was a wonderful and not-too-spicy mixture.
  For our entrees – I had the Gourmet Turkey Croissant, while Mrs. Funmeister had the Fried Green Tomatoes BLT. Both came with a crisp green salad. I had the ranch dressing while she opted for raspberry vinaigrette.
  Both were spectacular as were the sandwiches. The turkey croissant features a special cranberry sauce with a dill mayonnaise. The Fried Green Tomatoes BLT has the special aioli sauce and is served on a sourdough bread. Both are highly recommended.
  Incidentally, mine ended with a dollop of “Polynesian fruit” which was particularly tasty.
 All this at prices that are extremely competitive with factory chain restaurants in the area.
On to Marianna
 Dinner came in the form of a Mediterranean-style restaurant in Marianna, Florida called the Mashawy Grill. I know, it’s not exactly Thanksgiving holiday fare – but we were up for something new. In fact, we had never experienced this kind of cuisine in the past so it was a true learning experience for the both of us.
 Although “mashawy” in Turkish apparently means “barbecue,” this was anything but a barbecue joint. Placed in a former country club restaurant, it was an elegant setting highlighted by rich decor and piano music.
  We started out sharing a sampler plate of falafel, sambousa and stuffed grape leaves. I enjoyed all of them, but vegetarian wife was most impressed with the falafel – which included diced tomato, pickled turnip and parsley. There also was a tart white tahnini sauce and a red sauce that I cannot prounounce but was quite like a salsa.
  For dinner, I had the Kafta Kabobs with meat while she went with Moshakel – a dish featuring layers of potato, onion, green bean, squash and cauliflower in a tomato sauce – it was the texture of southern cooked vegetables (quite soft). They both had hummus and pita and white rice.. I have had many kabobs in my life, these were the first that came in a single roll, without a skewer. They were quite flavorful and although they were full of spice they were not hot.
  Her dish was quite good, the cool crisp salad was a nice contrast to the soft warm vegetables.
  She also got a special hot tea called Mashawy Tea. A blend of cinnamon, ginger, clove and cardamon – it had no actual tea, or caffine. It was …. interesting. the menu offered an interesting selection of desserts but with Thanksgiving less than a week away we did not indulge. Ending the meal on a sweet note the owner served us a special sweet tea.
 In point of fact, the entire dinner was a new experience. I would recommend it to anybody who is looking for something completely different.
Our Lodging
  We stayed at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Mariana. We booked the room online and were a bit apprehensive as it was a more budget flag in a small town. When we got there and inspected the room we were pleased. It actually turned out to be a suite with a couch (more than we need).
  All the amenities were there including flat screen TV, fridge, microwave, iron/board and blow dryer. Bed (a king) actually was one of the better we have experienced.
  Our complaints include; the heater did not work real well (it’s November in the panhandle) and there were missing cable channels (Fox was out and we were told “the owner is a democrat”).
  That being said, all the lamps had extra electric and USB outlets, so plugging in was a breeze. A bit more than we wanted to pay – but it was clean and quiet (despite kids across the hall) and overall a good overnighter.
  Now it’s off for Thanksgiving holiday trip Day 2 – stay tuned.
 Back in September we did a piece on Florida bourbons in honor of “Bourbon Heritage Month.” Little did we know it would lead to one of the great Christmas presents of our adult life.
  There are three bourbon distilleries here in Florida, including the Timber Creek Distillery in Crestview – up in the panhandle. We were stunned when Timber Creek President Camden Ford himself contacted us and asked if we would like to try mixing our very own blend, using some of the mash that they use themselves.
  Absolutely.
  This is a great thing in so many ways. First off, it’s a product created with crops harvested right here in the Sunshine State. For their whiskeys, they use local Red Soft Winter Wheat, local Yellow #2 Dent Corn, and local Florida 401 Black Rye.
  How cool is that?
  When the box arrived, it was full of surprises. The kit is unexpectedly large and consists of everything one needs for the process. Four large bottles, one each of 100-percent corn, wheat, black rye and single malt barley ready for mixing. as well as a graduating mixing beaker, a dropper and glass stir stick.
  We thought this would be a process where the mix would be blended, then age before consumption.
  Not so.
  Once blended it can be sampled immediately to decide what to add next. We were advised that it could be left to sit for a few days to allow the flavors to meld if we wished – provided it was placed in a covered container to prevent any evaporation, which would cloud the mixture.
 We were assured that it would not affect the taste, but it would turn cloudy and become basically unattractive.
 This is to be a great experiment and being a total novice on the making of bourbon, we relied on beginners luck, the advantage of ignorance and the fact that they send along a detailed mixing guide complete with recipes so we could not get to far afield.
  Step one was to sample each of the bottles to get an idea of the stock. The corn is sweet, the wheat is a bit dry (dry enough to make your mouth pucker), the rye is spicy and full of flavor while the single malt barley is described as “round and buttery.”
  Then you begin the process of mixing. Starting with 40ml of the corn, the wheat mash is added at one milliliter increments to get a good blend. Their recommendation was to keep adding until it is good, then great, then good and finally – too much.
  You then toss that batch, get back to the peak, then start adding the barley.
  Starting the process, the batch is pretty darned stout. Even adding the wheat did not mitigate the taste to any appreciable degree. Nonetheless, after a couple milliliters it was tasting pretty darned good. When we got to the great stage, we stopped, then went to the barley, adding it in one milliliter increments until we got to something that tasted special.
  The barley really rounded out the flavor and took the edge off the mix.
  Mrs. Funmeister, who never has been a fan of alcohol, asked to taste it. To our absolute astonishment she said it was “not bad” and described the taste as “woody” – which was as an accurate description as any. To put it in perspective, before, all alcoholic beverages tasted like “cough syrup,” so this was as close to a compliment as anybody ever has come from her.
 And this was our first foray into the process.
 This is something that will take a bit of practice and everyone’s taste will be different. I can see inviting friends over to try their hand at it and see what they can create. It makes for a wonderful Christmas present and can provide hours of enjoyment and the ability to sample a wide variety of mixes.
 Our plan is to do this again in the very near future, trying a different blend of corn, wheat and barley – and we haven’t even gotten to the rye yet.
 Stay tuned, as we try again and report back. We also have a field trip planned to the actual Timber Creek Distillery for some face-to-face instructionals and suggestions.
 If you like garden like we do, we have great news. We have taken HEART. They have plants to make for a wonderful edible landscape. In our opinion, the HEART Village is a must-see.
  Ditto if you are a central Floridian and are looking to become self sustaining. They have food crops galore. And – the by-products frp, their crops make everything from fertilizer to building materials.
  We found this to be a place that has a sense of humor and a sense of purpose.
What is HEART
  The acronym HEART actually stands for “Hunger Education And Resource Training.” It is a facility located in a wooded area behind Warner University south of Lake Wales. It actually is designed for young men and women who are headed into the mission fields in South America, Africa and Asia. Here they gain a knowledge of how to grow crops in challenging environments.
 We have visited another such facility, ECHO Farms in Fort Myers. Like ECHO, we found those at HEART Village are learning how to grow vitamin-rich crops in tropical environments. Much to our delight, many of those crops also will grow in the sub-tropics of central Florida.
 At their recent “garden celebration,” we found the staff eager to share their best management practices. Moreover, they demonstrated how to grow both plants and small animals. Best of all, they do it at a fraction of the cost using all natural ingredients.
What We Learned
  One thing we were taught is how to make natural fertilizer, It is all about compost. We take piles of leftovers such as kitchen scraps, leaves, grass cuttings, downed leaves and trimmed branches. All of that can be used to make some of the best growing soil around with a minimum of work.
 Additionally, we learned about Companion planting and other techniques. These are employed to maximize harvests while minimizing bugs and other destructive varmints.
  They told us that some plants not normally grown here- such as the Moringa tree, the Katuk and Cranberry Hibiscus have edible leaves that are rich in nutrients and taste.
  When we found out that they also can be used as landscape plants – we added them to ours. They really do add to the attractiveness of our home. Plus, they provide a garden at the same time.
   This is a great boon for those who wish to be self-sufficient. Even if we need to operate under the thumb of a Home Owners Association or other such regulating group.
The Open House
 The HEART Village’s garden celebration, featured numerous seminars and garden tours. That being said, private tours also may be established. We sat in on some of the seminars and took the tour. We learned a lot!
 At the HEART Village there also is a wonderful little plant nursery. There we found starter plants. Our options included 0- bur were not limited to – Jackfruit, Mangoes, Papaya and other such fruit and vegetable plants. They all were started without chemical fertilizers or other such things.
Gardener Josh shows how to use surplus tires as planters.
They even have a non-hot habenaro pepper.
How They Run
 It truly is amazing to watch how the staff has repurposed everything from old concrete blocks and tires, to bamboo and other plants grown on the property for use as containers, borders or animal pens and shelters. Yes, they have goats, chicken, fish, pigs and even a water buffalo.
  Those who follow us know we like the interesting and we like to save money. We suggest this is a great place to go. You can research it here http://heartvillage.org/
  If you want to make an appointment you also can call at 863-638-1188.
For some time we had heard about the legendary shelling at Sanibel Island but it was not until recently we packed up the Funmobile and headed out to see what the fuss was all about.
Mrs. Funmeister had done the requisite due diligence and found us overnight accommodations at the Castaway Cottages so that we would have a place to lite for the evening.
Our Arrival
Crossing the causeway from Fort Myers was a wonderful afternoon experience. There were bright blue waters whipped by a light wind. We had thought about pulling over to get some photos – but there was not a vessel to be seen.
Nevertheless, I made a mental note that we would most certainly stop on the way out and make some Kodak moments at a couple of the strategically-placed parks.
Our first stop on the island was the welcome center at the Chamber of Commerce. It was a great call. Not only was the place well stocked with tri-fold brochures and magazines, there was a full staff of locals who could point us in the right direction for our inaugural trip into Sanibel-Captiva.
We looked at a number of lunch options and decided on The Island Cow, just up the road. It wasn’t long before my wife (navagatrix on our excursions) informed me, “Honey, it’s up there on the left – see the sign?”
The Island Cow is a truly unique experience. Brightly colored and peppered with cow memorabilia, it reminded me of several places we have been where the restaurant made it’s mark more with the ambience than the fare.
Imagine our surprise when we found out the food actually is the star of the show. Everything we had was fresh, crisp and delicious. I went with Amy’s Corned Beef Sandwich. True to its billing, it indeed was ”two fisted.” The fries also were crispy and not greasy!
Inside The Island Cow
She had the chips and salsa. Chips also not greasy and high marks across the board for the queso, salsa and guacamole dips. Her favorite was the salad with real greens and fresh fruit. She was in a good mood the rest of the day.
Molly, our waitress, was very helpful in giving us both a history of the restaurant and more tips for travel around the island.
There’s plenty to do there besides eat, there are photo ops with a cut-out cow, great lounging chairs, live birds and the obligatory souvenir shop.
Shell Musem
On the way to our cabin we ran up on the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.
“How can we go to Florida’s best shelling beach and not go to the shell museum?” she asked.
A good question, I thought as we wheeled into the parking lot. Whoever would have thought there was enough interest and stock to open a museum to shells and mollusks? Yet there it was and it has been there for better than two decades. Although we spent most of our time in the gift shop (apparently there is a shell for each birth month in much the same way there are birth stones) – the center of the attraction is the “Great Hall of Shells.”
There are displays of shells broken up geographically, an entire section on scallops, a history of how tribes used shells as money (this did not work at the gift shop), there’s a wonderful little children’s learning center as well as some hands-on exhibits about the properties of shells. Those are just a few of the examples of the things to hold one’s interest inside.
It was amazing that we could spend such a long and productive time looking at and learning about seashells.
Where we Stayed
Finally we headed out to find our room. It was a surprisingly long drive past the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge (closed on Fridays), past homes tucked away along miles of wooded area and out to the north end of the island.
This lodging facility actually is a spate of small one, two and 3-bedroom cabins in the old Florida style. They are strewn around the Blind Pass area where “Sanibel meets Captiva,” set with the Gulf to the west, Pine Island Sound to the east.
Ours was a simple one-bedroom, sitting just off the dock of the bay. After unloading and setting up camp, my wife was focused on a single destination – the beach.
The Castaway Cottages complex has a wonderful access to Blind Pass Beach, so with bag in hand we got our toes in the water and headed out in search of shells.
From the get-go she mastered the so-called “Sanibel Stoop” and began raking in a wide variety of different specimens (some were sought as “birth month shells” to be distributed later).
At one point she found a “Lightning Whelk,” which was occupied at the time. It went back in the water (we had been cautioned about “live shelling.”) We had a great time looking for shells, walking the beach, watching the shore birds, talking with the fishermen (using both rods and nets) and capped it off with a kiss at the Sanibel sunset. Actually there were several kisses as I remember.
In Search of Dinner
For dinner we headed further north, across the bridge and onto Captiva – having no idea exactly where we were going. Finally we heard music and followed it to RC Otters. This was yet another great find.
Self-described as ‘un-fancy American eats,” we chose an outdoor table which was a stone’s throw from a single guitarist singing hits of bands such as “America” and “The Eagles.”
Again, the food was great and reasonably priced. I had the Cheeseburger in Paradise while she had the Reuben. Again, we were blessed with a great waiter, Daniel, who also was very friendly and informative about the island with places to go and things to see.
Just across the way was a place we had heard about and wanted to visit. It is the famous Bubble Room. Like most of the places on the island it is well decorated with it’s own unique decor.
There are antiques, curiosities and nostalgic pieces peppered throughout the three floors and five dining rooms. Probably the best seats in the house are on the third floor where there are a pair of plate glass windows that overlook the street.
We, however, were crammed into a second floor room, where the walls were plastered with an array of old movie posters, still pictures and signs from the mid-20th century. The tables are oversized shadow boxes – each with a collection of small toys and other pieces of the past.
Having eaten dinner, we opted for one of their famous desserts. There was a choice of eight different cakes. We decided to split a huge “Tropical Breeze” – an orange cake with pineapple/cream cheese frosting. It was decadent and wonderful.
Again, diners can spend quite a while viewing the antiques and displays – including an overlook into a vintage depiction of Santa’s workshop.
That was on Friday.
Saturday
Saturday we had planned to do some more, but it was a gray day and we decided to move on to other weekend obligations.
However, on the way out, we did enjoy a great breakfast at the Over Easy Cafe. It was the only place we had to wait for any appreciable amount of time. Apparently there had been an early-morning a fun run and all the participants had decided to eat there.
We waited our turn and it was worth every second. I had the veggie omelet which was cooked to perfection and featured feta cheese which just lit up the whole dish. My wife had the big breakfast with cranberry pancakes, highlighted by her cranberry-apple herbal tea.
We especially liked the heavy ceramic vanity mugs. While they held a limited amount of coffee, they also held the heat. Just before leaving we were told to visit Baileys General Store. We had expected a smallish retro-style operation. Imagine our surprise when we found a huge, full-service grocery store, with a bakery, coffee bar, a produce section loaded with organics and an adjoining hardware store.
When next we return – it will be for an extended stay, we know where to get just about anything we need – again at market prices.
In retrospect, we found that there were a number of places we would have liked to have explored had there been enough time. We resolved to return and rectify that situation with a more structured plan and itinerary to enjoy ourselves and all Sanibel and Captiva have to offer.
Our trip to Sanibel and Captiva was by far one of the best vacations we have experienced. Have you been? What were your impressions? Visit our Florida Fun Travel Facebook page or drop us a line at [email protected]
Although we spent most of our time in the gift shop (apparently there is a shell for each birth month in much the same way there are birth stones) – the center of the attraction is the “Great Hall of Shells.”
We had a great time looking for shells, walking the beach, watching the shore birds, talking with the fishermen (using both rods and nets) and capped it off with a kiss at the Sanibel sunset. Actually there were several kisses as I remember.
Probably the best seats in the house are on the third floor where there are a pair of plate glass windows that overlook the street.
