Last night I had just gotten home from a little run down the street. I walked in the door, clicked on the tube to the local news and slammed a Gatorade trying to cool off. The excited news anchor was gushing how Southwest Florida’s own Sanibel Island had just topped Arthur Frommer’s “Favorite Destinations” list for 2012. Now our news anchors down here aren’t exactly grade A superstars, so errors sometimes do happen. Maybe they misunderstood Frommer’s list and are just saying Sanibel was in the top spot.

Still dripping with sweat (sexy, I know) I sat down at the computer and Google Frommer’s list. I find what I’m looking for on the Chicago Tribune, Arthur Frommer’s favorite travel destinations. There it was, right in front of my eyes, Sanibel Island, the seashell capital of the US, atop Frommer’s distinguished list. News person got it right!

Travel magnate, Arthur Frommer says the leisure enjoyed during the holiday season is a perfect time in which to plan future vacations. So he compiled a list of his own favorite destinations…it just so happens there are 10 of them.

Here is Frommer’s Top 10 Favorite Destinations

10. Kenya
9. New York City’s Greenwich Village
8. Chiang Rai, Thailand
7. Yachats, the Oregon Coast
6. Bonaire, one of the ABC islands of the Southern Caribbean
5. Cairo, Egypt
4. St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands
3. Paris, France
2. The Island of Bali, in Indonesia
1. Sanibel Island, Florida

Living just a short 35 minute drive from Sanibel, I sometimes pop over to the island for a little staycation time. The $6.00 toll to get on to the island is a little steep but the beauty is worth it. Sanibel is full of amazing seashell covered beaches, small boutique shops and just a laid back attitude. Home to the Ding Darling Nature Preserve which takes up more than half the island, it provides a home to thousands of birds, fish and I believe even some American Salt Water Crocodiles. If you haven’t been you should check it out.

Here is an Island Lime Video I shot on Sanibel a couple months ago. It’s easy to get lost in the beauty and the sound of the waves.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Estero Blvd is one of the most beautiful roads to travel here in the Naples-Fort Myers area. The Bonita Beach section is lined with tall Coconut Palms that escort you down the road. On the west side of the road you’ll find small beach villas and large 4 story compounds. It’s a great place to put Buffett on the radio, roll down the windows and relax.

If you haven’t been to Bonita Beach yet, then hopefully it will inspire you to visit. If you do drop me a line and I’ll meet you at Doc’s!

A Drive Down Little Hickory Island

Didn’t see any old ladies to wave to on this trip, just a little tailgating of slow drivers. Move it people!

Have you been to Bonita Beach? I would love to hear what you think of my friendly small town.

(Photo from NaplesBonitaWaterfront.com)

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Naples is known as a wealthy community with huge beach side mansions and expensive price tags. The main hub and downtown area of Naples is called 5th Avenue South. It’s a gorgeous street that’s lined with highend stores, fancy restaurants, roof top condos and some pretty cool bars. I use to hit up the Irish bar, Paddy Murphy’s quite a bit. Paddy’s great place for live entertainment, cold drinks and meeting pretty girls.

Last month when I drove down to the Naples to film the Naples Pier Video I took a detour down 5th Avenue and decided to hold my camera out the window and record the trip. I’m sure I looked like a whacked out tourist or something, but that’s the price I pay to be a whacked out blogger. I even stop for an old lady crossing the street. Such a gentleman.

Naples 5th Avenue

Have you been to Naples’ 5th Ave? What did you like or dislike about it?

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Sanibel is popular for a multitude of reasons, it’s a seashell hunter’s paradise, the island is very natural, lush and over half of the island is a state park that is full of birds, alligators and even some American Crocodiles. One of the more popular features of Sanibel is the historic lighthouse.

The Sanibel Lighthouse stands tall on the Southern tip of the island. On a clear day you can see it all the way from Bonita Beach. The area around the lighthouse is a park that’s filled with coconut palms, Seagrape trees and lots and lots of seashell covered white sand. Relax and enjoy the day on the beach, walk the grounds around the lighthouse and basically just lime in an American paradise. That’s what I did for a few hours when I shot the video for this Island Lime Video.

Sanibel Island Lighthouse – Island Lime Videos

Here’s a little history on the lighthouse…

The first permanent English-speaking settlers on Sanibel Island arrived from New York in 1833 as part of a colony planned by land investors. Although that settlement was short-lived, the initial colonists petitioned the U.S. government for the construction of a lighthouse on the island. No action was taken on that proposal at the time. By the late 1870′s, sea-going commerce in the area had increased in volume. The U.S. Lighthouse Bureau took the initiative in requesting funds for a lighthouse for Sanibel Island, and in 1884, construction of the tower began. The station was lighted for the first time in August 1884. The significance of the Sanibel Lighthouse lies in the regular and reliable service it has provided for travelers along Florida’s West Coast. Since 1950, the U.S. Coast Guard property at the lighthouse has been a wildlife refuge.

Sanibel Island Lighthouse

I hope you enjoyed the video and that it gave you a small taste of Sanibel Island. It’s my job to keep you Castaways in the North where temps are falling, warm thoughts and sunny skies.

Have you been to Sanibel Island? Leave a comment below and tell us your favorite thing about the island.

Cheers!
RumShopRyan

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This week’s Island Lime Video takes you to Siesta Key to watch the waves lap up onto the shore and the sea gulls blaze through the skies. Well, the sea gull in the first shot was more interested in chillaxing on the sand and watching me than blazing the skies, he selfishly became the star attraction for about a minute. You’ll see.

Siesta Key – Island Lime Videos

Have you been to Siesta Key? If you haven’t it is a must. It’s home to some of the softest sand you will ever sink your toes into. I know a lot of people say that about beaches, but this is a true story. The sand of Siesta Key is 99% quartz. It’s almost like walking on baby powder it’s so fine. It sticks to everything but that small hassle is well work the experience.

My first experience with the sand of Siesta Key was 6 or 7 years ago when I went there to watch a friend play in a volleyball tournament. Right when I stepped on the sand I knew it was different. It wrapped around my foot like a warm hug. Once I got settled in and started to toss the football around, I learned you could dive on to the sand and not get hurt. Almost like falling on to soft snow. I had no idea sand could be this soft. The sand and the beach made an impression on me that day as I’m sure it did on you your first visit.

If you’d like the see the rest the photos from my visit to Siesta Key click here.

Have a great weekend Castaways!

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Lovers Key State Park is a fantastic place. It’s a natural island only covered with sea oats, sea grapes, some trees, an occasional palm and lots and lots of virgin white sand. I go there for walks, I go there to think. I go there to watch dolphins play and the sun set.

Earlier this week when I drove to Lovers Key to film this video the wind was calm and the waves soft. I walked the North shore of the island along Big Carlos Pass only passing one man fishing. Once I got to the gulf side of the island I didn’t see a single soul for over an hour. It felt as if I was literally the only person in the world. It was a special feeling, not even the bugs attacking my legs could pull me from my bliss.

I set up my camera and this is what I filmed…

A Lovers Key Sunset

Did you see the fish jump right in front of the setting sun at the 2:42 mark? These guys were jumping all over the place. They either were running from a bigger fish or wanting to see the spectacular sunset form themselves. I’m betting on the latter.

As I walked back along the north shore constantly turning around to see the horizon in increasingly deeper colors I passed a group of three non English speaking European tourist. I realized this by their odd head shaking and their overly pronounced “yeah”, when I asked them if they enjoy the sunset. Right as I passed them a Bald Eagle flew 25 feet over our heads. I pointed at the powerful bird and snapped my head back to point it out to them. I’m not sure if they knew what I was saying or that they realize they witnessed a close flyby of our national bird, but the moment was not lost on me.

I continued to walk for another 10 minutes in the ever darkening sky, thinking that what had just been a simple trip to film the sunset turned into a magical moment. Moments like that remind me that I’m lucking to be living in a place so beautiful.

I normally hold back photos from video posts such as this because I don’t want them to take away from the video, but in this case I want to share. Here are some of the photos I took of this beautiful night on Lovers Key.

Lovers Key State Park

Lovers Key State Park

Lovers Key State Park

Lovers Key State Park

Lovers Key State Park

Have you been to Lovers Key, what did you think?

Today is the last day to vote for our buddy Carlton Groom for the Tommy Bahama Rumologist contest. Click here to help him out. Thanks guys!

Cheers Castaways!
RumShopRyan

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To me all this beauty comes together at the Naples Pier. Back in the day when Naples was just getting settled, the pier was the only way you could get to Naples. This week’s episode of Island Lime Videos was shot at the Naples Pier. You’ll see birds combing the sand, waves gliding ashore and be put into a trance by their rhythmic sounds.

The Naples Pier

A little history for you, the pier was built in 1888 as a freight and passenger dock, the Naples Pier stands as a community landmark. Narrow gauge train rails spanning the length of the pier transported freight and baggage in the early 1900′s. Part of the structure, as well as the post office located on the pier was torched by fire in 1922. Rebuilt after damage by hurricanes in 1910, 1926 and 1960, it remains a public symbol of the area’s history.

Enjoy your weekend Castaways! Cheers to you finding your Island Lime.

RumShopRyan

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Our new “Island Lime” video series is going to give you, at least for a few minutes, that peace and serenity you crave. No words, no interruptions, no guy named Ryan blabbering about cocktails or palm trees. It’s just going to be the soft sound of the waves rolling onto the sand as you watch the beach-scape come to life before your eyes. A moment of relaxation and inspiration.

Our first Island Lime is filmed on the north end of Little Hickory Island in Bonita Springs, FL.

ISLAND LIME – Little Hickory Island, Bonita Beach

I hope you Castaways enjoyed the video. Hopefully you feel relaxed and your mind flew off to someplace less bound by responsibility , at least for a little bit. More Island Lime videos to come!

Have a great weekend Castaways!

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Yesterday I had the opportunity to sneak away to the beach for about an hour and what a glorious hour it was. I had my camera in tow and nature didn’t disappoint.

The Location: Big Carlos Pass, the south end of the island city of Fort Myers Beach.

The Cast: Nature – Sea Birds, Starfish, Dolphins, Crabs, seashells.

Shore Bird

Feeding Dolphin

This dolphin was only about 20 yards off the beach in shallow water. Dolphins often hang out in the passes when the tide is coming and going to catch fish. I saw this guy chase a fish at high speed to within feet of the beach in about 2 feet of water. He was thrashing water every where, it was quite a site.

Waiting Fishermen

Shore Birds

Pointdexter? Patrick? Stella?

Shore Birds

Sea Gulls Taking Flight

I tried to get photos for the little crabs but they were to quick and for me, they scampered into their tiny holes before I could react. Next time you crustaceans will be mine!

I hope you enjoyed the photos of Paradise. It was amazing how much wild life was there in just the hour I was there. I wonder what else I would have seen if I would have pulled up a beach chair and cooler and spent the afternoon!

Have a great weekend Castaways!

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Fort Myers Beach is the “Fun” beach here in southwest Florida. The north end of the island is full of great restaurants and fun bars, places like The Cottage, The Beached Whale, Nervous Nellies, Top O-Mast and Lani Kai.

Fort Myers Beach Webcam

The Fort Myers Beach webcam is on the roof of DiamondHead Beach Resort facing the north end of the beach and the Fort Myers Beach pier. The large green hotel up the beach is the Lani Kai, home of one of the best rum runners on the beach.

Courtesy of NBC 2 and ABC 7, Fort Myers, Florida.

See you on the beach!
Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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