Watch the video of Barefoot Beach below and I’ll show you the reason I left Kansas to live by the sea in Florida.

Bonita Springs, ever heard of it? Many haven’t. My town sits snugly between Naples and Fort Myers on the Southwest Florida coast. It’s small, has character and home to some beautiful beaches. One of those beaches is seductively named…Barefoot Beach.

Head West along Bonita Beach Rd. and take a left at the last light before you drive your car into the Gulf. You’ll run into a gate house for a high end neighborhood, just tell the guard you’re looking for the perfect beach and they’ll show you through, no questions asked. You’ll drive along a road paved in red bricks and pass by some homes that could pass as hotels. You’ll see street signs that say St. Lucia, Anguilla and Barbados. Soon the beachside mansions give way to a few condo buildings, that’s when you know your close. After a few hundred yards the condos disappear and the only thing blocking your view of the Gulf of Mexico is Seagrape trees and Cabbage Palms. You’ll come to the entrance of the park, pay the $8 fee, and you’ll have three parking areas to choose from. Drive slow because you don’t want to turn one of the resident Gopher Tortoises into a speed bump.

Once you park you’ll be just steps away from the gentle waves of the Gulf and a mile and half of unspoiled beach to call your own. There’s also a walking trail that winds its way though the Seagrapes and underbrush. It’s a nice hike, but why walk in the trees when you can walk on the beach and take in the serene beauty that you’ll see in this video below. Enjoy Island Limin’ on Barefoot Beach.

Barefoot Beach, Bonita Springs FL

If you want be on this beach right now, soaking in THE LIFE, please share on Facebook.

Here are a few photos from my morning on Barefoot Beach.

I’m in love with the Caribbean, but as you can see there’s plenty of mind blowing beach escape right here in the States. You just have to know where to look…and that’s why I’m here.

Cheers Castaways,
RumShopRyan

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What’s your ultimate beach fantasy? Let’s see if I can take a guess, does it have something to do with blue water, spectacular natural surroundings and a feeling as if you’re the only person in the world. Did I come close? In the US it’s hard to find that secluded feeling, but if you look in the right places you can find it. One of those places is Cayo Costa State Park in Southwest Florida.

Cayo Costa (La Costa Island) is a barrier island located in Southwest Florida, it helps form the western side of Pine Island Sound and is North of Sanibel, Captiva and North Captiva Island. The only way to get there is by boat and if you are coming for Fort Myers Beach, which is where the Gypsy Soul is kept, it’s quite a haul. But you know what they say, if it were easy to get to, everyone would be doing it. And the lack of other bodies is what I love most about this place.

You can see Cayo Costa located in the upper left of this map. The little red dot is where we anchored and filmed this week’s Island Lime Video. There were a few other people that were enjoying our little beach anchorage that we like to call Gypsy Hole, but the crowd thinned out and you could easily find yourself on a stretch of sand where you were the only person in sight. Here is the Cayo Costa video, see if you can get lost as I did.

Cayo Costa – Island Lime Video

The dead trees that have become bleached in the sun make for a serene setting. Pelicans dive bomb their lunch, dolphins glide through the pass and the only sound you hear is the waves crashing onto the shore, it really is a perfect place.

Cheers Castaways,
RumShopRyan

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When people think of Florida, images of Micky Mouse, space flight, Duval Street, the glam of South Beach and miles of beaches most likely come to mind. The first thing that pops into my head when I think of Florida is home. When I first landed in Southwest Florida over 10 years ago I didn’t know much about the state and even less about the Naples and Fort Myers area. Ten years later, I wouldn’t trade this coastline for any other in the entire state.

The reason being is because of places like Cabbage Key. Cabbage Key and the surrounding barrier islands of Pine Island Sound are old Florida. You won’t find towering resorts, spring break parties or the Micky Mouse Club. What you will find is special ecosystem that’s full of dolphins, turtles, Bald Eagles and charming little places like Cabbage Key.  Cabbage Key Inn, a one time home of a famous writer, now turned into an Inn and one hell of a place to grab a burger and a slice of Key Lime Pie.

Cabbage Key is marked with the pin.

My parents were in town a couple weekends ago and I thought I’d give them a little taste of what makes Southwest Florida such as prize. The destination, Cabbage Key. The only way to get to there is by boat, so we headed up to Captiva Island and jumped aboard the Lady Chadwick of Captiva Cruises.

As the Lady Chadwick plows North through the waters of Pine Island Sound it creates a nice rolling wake. Guess who like to play in the wake? If you guessed the resident dolphin population you guessed right!

A couple different groups of dolphins entertained themselves in our wake on the hour trip up the sound. It seemed like the more people cheered and whistled the more the dolphins showed off. One even jumped a good 6 or 7 feet in the air. I got some great video of all of this and plan on putting a little video together for a future post.

Next stop, Cabbage Key. Who’s hungry for a Cheeseburger!

The Cabbage Key Inn is known for their cheeseburgers. Even Jimmy Buffett has stopped in for the classic American treat. Some people have said that the Cabbage Key burger was the inspiration for Buffett’s Cheeseburger in Paradise, but I’ve heard about 2 dozen different places claim that same title. I think there’s only one person who can truly answer the question of burger inspiration, and he’s a little hard to get a hold of. Jimmy’s dollar is framed behind the bar though.

Jimmy Buffett's dollar is in the red frame. Fins Up!

The Cabbage Key restaurant is known for people leaving signed dollar bills on the walls. This tradition has been going on for decades. Some places in the restaurant the dollar bills are over 6 inches thick. It’s estimated to have over $80,000 plastered to every inch of the place. When dollars fall, they are collected and giving to a local charity.

After we got done sucking down some amazing Key Lime Pie, we did a little island exploring. The 100 acre island has a nature trail that takes you into the Florida jungle and mangroves. Along the way they have information about the local plants and wild life.

Behind the restaurant stands an old water tower. If you’re not afraid of heights feel free to climb to the top. It offers 360 degree views of Cabbage Key and the surround islands.

After our water tower climb we walked to the gift shop to browse the offerings. Then it was time to wait for the Lady Chadwick to return. What do you do when you have time to kill on an island. You take pictures!

Erin chillaxing the day away.

The Castaway parents!

We boarded the ferry, circled Useppa Key and headed back South towards Captiva. It was a day spent on the water, on an island, completely surrounded by beauty of old Florida. If you’ve already done the mouse thing in Orlando, the club hopping in Miami and crawled along Duval in Key West, then I encourage you to give the barrier islands of Southwest Florida a try. You might just fall in love with authentic Florida as I have.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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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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