DAY 4.....FISHING FOR TARPON AT THE MOUTH OF THE GULF OF MEXICO.......BOCA GRANDE

Boca Grande Lighthouse

Leaving Boca Grande Marina 

Heading to the Fishing Grounds
Mouth of the Inter-Coastal before it enters the Gulf
Passing the homes of the super rich on Boca Grande 

Boca Grande Marina

Always 12 to 13 boats drifting in close proximity fishing for Tarpon
The captain steers and drifts the boat for about a mile west....then turns around and quickly covers the mile back.....turns around and drifts west again.  All this time the line is in the water hoping for a Bite! 

Charles has one On 

Lost this one after battling it for 10 Minutes 

After fishing for 6 hours and not bringing anything to the boat, we head back to port to rest and eat....only to return at 7:00 pm in the evening to try again. .......And, we were not the only ones out there in the almost dark!!!! About the same number of boats as in the Morning.....

Poppy has one on.....pull, crank, pull 

40 minutes later.... 

....he is still pulling and cranking. The fish is in sight.....

All at once there is a churning of the water and an 8 foot shark snatches the 125 lb tarpon from his Line

And, he is happy!!!

They say, what could be better than being out on the water, a warm breeze blowing, a beautiful sunset and fishing with your 

Dad or Son

....and your mom or wife sitting in the back of the boat with camera at the ready to record your Catch

Now Charles has one on......crank and pull, crank and Pull
20 + minutes later, he is pulling the tarpon up to the back of the boat....it is pitch black....the captain reaches down and
Cuts the Line !
Oh, Happy Day!

5 Foot Long Tarpon

Caught and released by Charles.....

A Perfect Ending to a Perfect Day! 

Three happy Men!
Chuck, Charles, and our Captain Dave
10:00 PM and we are headed back to Port with only
Tiny lights to Guide Us

Boca Grande
Can't wait to see you Again!
I care nothing about fishing, but I do enjoy seeing the ones I love having a good Time!
I would gladly spend another 9 hours on that boat to share their Joy! 

DAY 3, 4 AND 5....GASPARILLA INN AND CLUB.....BOCA GRANDE ISLAND, FLORIDA

Gasparilla Inn and Club
Boca Grande Island, Florida 

Beach Club and Tennis Club

One Block away on the Gulf of Mexico

Intercoastal Waterway is several blocks to the east of the Inn

Beautiful golf course on the Waterway

Front Porch with white wicker rocking chairs on both side of the Entrance to the Lobby 

Beautiful grounds surround the Inn
Transportation....bicycles, golf carts, walking and Cars 

Historic home of America
Front Porch

Large sitting Area 

Many individual areas to sit and Chat
To see and be Seen

Beautiful coordinating Fabrics on
Wicker and Upholstered Furniture 

Lovely comfortable Spaces 

Suit 301 

He made it Happen 

Living Room 

Bedroom opening onto a private three sided Porch 

Bedroom sitting Area 

Overlooking one of the many homes to be rented through the Inn 

Perfect for a family Get Away

Bedroom opens onto this porch which looks out onto the Front of the Hotel 

 

Great for reading, drying your hair, or taking a little Rest
I recommend #301

WANT TO BRING THE FAMILY?

Individual Homes

Children's Park with Swings and Slides
Hotel is across the Street 

These homes have 4 huge bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, large living room and kitchen, and a porch with tables and chairs on two Sides

These two homes back up to each others Porch
Maid service every Day
These home and cottages are owned by the Hotel

The Gasparilla Inn is a beautiful old Southern
Hotel where families have been coming for Generations
Many multi generational families in Evidence
Pastel polo shirts and skirts, seersucker slacks, and
loafers without socks were to be seen in the dining room, men's club room and sitting Areas
Would love to bring my kids and grands for a prolonged Stay!
"I love Old Money and I love the way I live when I am Around Old Money!"

DAY THREE.....FORT MYERS AND ON TO ALLIGATOR ALLEY.....EVERGLADES..

Alligator Alley Hwy 75 to Fort Lauderdale
Wooten Outfitters
A Great Ride for $29.....45 Minutes
Air Boat....so loud you had to wear Earphones
So Fun!

Great Captain
Very Informative
Gave us an exciting, but safe Ride 

Lounging in the Water

Sunning Himself

 Everglades means River of Grass

Mangrove Trees
Alligators follow small animals into these trees, become entangled and are unable to save Themselves 

 

 

Saw eight or nine of these alligators during our
Tour through the Everglades
Also saw several large turtles in the Water

Burmese Pythons tread these waters.  Our captain told us that during the last python hunt, a 16 foot snake was killed.  The reptiles are taking over the Everglades.  They eat rabbits, goats, deer, alligators, birds, etc, etc, etc....basically anything they want.  They have no natural predators and are multiplying at an alarming rate.

The problem is believed to have been caused by humans releasing pet snakes into the Everglades when they became to large to own as pets. Want to see some disturbing pictures? ....Google Burmese Python Everglade problems......Scary!!!!!!

Fortunately, we did not see a Python!!!