Boca Grande: This Girl Just Keeps Getting Better

http://www.the-gasparilla-inn.com/act_tennis.php

http://www.bocagrandeclub.com/Tennis-(1).aspx

Many articles have been written about the quaint, gulf island getaway of Boca Grande.  My family has been visiting Boca Grande for decades and much change has occurred over the years, but I am happy to say that all of the important things that make BG special are still robustly intact.  BG is most famously known for its world-class fishing grounds, particularly tarpon fishing.  However, BG has developed into a uniquely well-rounded destination, whether you like to take leisure strolls on gorgeous beaches, watch unrivaled gulf sunsets before heading to the Temptation (town watering hole) for a "dark and stormy", take a pleasure cruise to one of the many islands for lunch at a nostalgic inn, stroll along park avenue for some boutique shopping, play a round of golf along the bay, and oh yeah, play numerous sets of tennis.  If you were to mix together one part Palm Beach, one part Key West, one part Martha's Vineyard, and one part ole' cracker Florida, you would begin to approach the flavor of BG.

In days past, fishing, sun frolicking and beverage drinking were the order of the day for me, but recently I have discovered that BG is a legit tennis destination.  The Gasparilla Inn and club has seven, well-manicured Har-tru courts available to its guests.  Also, the island has several hard courts open to the public.  Once you have had completed your tennis workout, you can walk over to the Beach club to cool down in the pool, assisted by a pina colada (with optional Myers topper), before you head down to beach and soak your body in the therapeutic warmth of the gulf waters.

If you have a boat,  I highly recommend crossing the Boca Grande pass over to Useppa Island for a day trip or stayover at the historical Collier Inn.   http://www.useppa.com/inn.html

Once you step off your boat at the marina, there is a palpable feeling that you have taken a step back in time.  The Collier inn is a bit of hike from the marina, but it is unique stroll through a banyan tree covered walkway through the many villas and cottages of the island.  Upon entering the anteroom at the Inn, you are greeted by walls adorned with countless photos of old fishing photos, many dating back to at least the early 1900s.  One can feel the presence of the lingering happy spirits of fisherman who found this fishing paradise decades ago.  You also immediately get the feeling that this place has seen more than its fair share of good times over the years.   A warm chuckle tends to bubble up in my throat as I realize that I have contributed my fair share as well.

 The Collier Inn has great food and is a great place to have lunch.  And oh, if you think to bring your rackets, the Inn has three clay courts that are available to its guests.

If it is not clear so far, I love Boca Grande and the surrounding islands.  Since my wife was writing an article about our recent trip there, I felt I needed to provide my two cents.  Overcrowding of the island is the only danger I see to this place.  So do me favor... if you have a chance to go there, please don't tell anyone how awesome it is.

Florida Undiscovered: Chokoloskee and Everglades City

 Living in sunny Florida there are so many activities to choose from.  Florida is known for its miles of coastline and of course, great fishing.  One little fishing village that still captures the mystery and spirit of Old Florida is Chokoloskee in the southwest corner of Florida.  This is the gateway to the fabled "Ten Thousand Islands."  You can still feel the pirate spirit in this place that in the 70s and 80s was one of the main ports of marijuana importation into the U.S., and used to be a great hide out from the law for drug smugglers, rum-runner and assorted other criminals while on the lam.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Chokoloskee, a must see is the Everglades City Rod and Gun Club located on the banks of the Barron River just north of the causeway leading to Chokoloskee.  Adorning the walls of the Rod and Gun Club are the numerous mounts of monster tarpon, snook, wild turkey, and gators that look to have been bagged decades ago from the area, which is brimming with wildlife.

The mystique of this place is increased when naming

those who have stayed there.  The list includes five past presidents, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Hoover and Nixon.  Rugged actors such as John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, Sean Connery, Danny Glover and Joe Pesci have stayed there as well.  Burl Ives and Gypsy Rose Lee stayed there while filming "Winds Across the Everglades."  Mick Jagger has stayed there as well as Ernest Hemingway.

Oh and did I mention that the fishing is fantastic.  However, it is strongly recommended that for at least for the first few trips you hire a knowledgeable guide.  The Chokoloskee waters can leave even an advanced boatsman high and dry on one of the numerous sand or oyster bars that are nowhere to be seen on most navigational maps.  Local knowledge is a must.

Jamaican Me Crazy

Jamaican Me Crazy

In a recent trip to Montego Bay Jamaica, we stayed at a beautiful villa, Endless Summer.  An unexpected treat in mid June with my family from Indiana.  These family members of mine needed some fun in the sun and just relaxing by a pool.  Rum drinks flowing and the weather was fabulous.   However, after relaxing by the pool a couple of days, it was time to stretch the legs and see what else there was to do in Jamaica.  Here are some of the highlights:                                                          

en.htmlhttp://www.jamaicanvillarental.com/villa-listing/endless-

1.)  Half-Moon Resort:  This unique Resort has hosted and entertained many a celebrity and influential people.  The Cedar Bar looks like a page out of past.  Just a few yards from the shoreline, this bar can serve up some delicious cocktails to watch the sunset.  Also, the beach and water activities were included with villa rental.  My husband and I took advantage of the kayaks and were able to paddle out to obtain a breathtaking view of the lush coastline.  The Half-Moon also had a plethora of well-kept tennis courts.  We enjoyed a few sets of tennis, and after we were through, we grabbed ourselves a mango from the mango tree next to the courts for a little post-tennis nutrition.  http://halfmoon.rockresorts.com/discover/tennis-squash-


2.)  May Field Falls:  This is an out of the way falls but well worth the trip.    We took an extremely long (not in distance, just slow and treacherous) bus ride.  Winding roads, pot holes and interesting terrain. I was beginning to think that we were never going to get there.  But after picking up an interesting Rastafarian woman to guide us to our destination, my husband saw a tiny sign taped to a tree… May Fields Falls this way!! Yay~ thank goodness cause this whole excursion was Jamaican me Crazy!!!!  To my surprise we were greeted by the most lovely ladies who provide us a fabulous lunch. Yummy curry chicken, red beans and Red Stripe, of course.  Next we were introduced to the most fun, silly guides that were going to tour us throughout the falls.  We had so much fun.  We were the only people there.  It was late in the day, due to our indecisiveness and the crazy bus ride, so we were the last group to traverse the falls.  But that just made it all the more perfect.  Diving, jumping, swimming throughout the falls as our guides snapped pictures of us.  So much fun.

3.) Scotchy's:  What a wonderful Jamaican treat. Authentic Jamaican jerk food cooked over pimento tree wood.  The  atmosphere was fun and lively watching the soccer from the bar with some of the locals.  Enjoyed another red stripe light with some jerk chicken and pork with rice and peas.  Yum Yum.  Scotchy's is named after the scotch bonnet pepper it uses in its awesome bbq sauce.  Scotchy's was definitely a crowd favorite with our group.

http://things-to-do-in-jamaica.com/scotchies-restaurant-in-montego-bay-jamaica/

4.) Rose Hall:  Ghost Tour:  The Candle Light Rose Hall Ghost Tour....Super fun, and not too cheesy.  I was genuinely scared a couple of time in a haunted house sort of way.  I love beautiful old arcitecture and history,  It is always fun when you get to mix the two together.  The ghost tour provided an informative history of the plantation and Jamaica.  The white witch was quite an interesting plantation mistress, who had no problem eliminating her spouses one right after the next.

5.) Don't hold your breathe trying to find some delicious chardonnay in Montego Bay. It won't happen. The grocery stores have a very limited selection.  You'll have to settle for some rum punch or Red Stripe.  I did decide to switch to the Red Stripe Light for a more refreshing change.

W&W Travel Review: Seattle

I have been an Atlantic coaster all of my life.  My fishing, camping, excursions, and travel have mostly occurred along the East Coast or Gulf Coast (I live in Florida).  Over the years, I have had friends or acquaintances that I have visited the Northwest region of the country, namely the Seattle area.  One common theme that I have heard about Seattle is really in the form of a warning.  Do not visit Seattle or you will want to move out there for good.  In the summer of 2016, I finally had the opportunity to visit Seattle and here are my observations...

Seattle is a cool place.  Seattle is a young place (meaning it seemed that the average age was 30 years old).  There are cool bars a plenty and the food is fantastic.  Seattle is expensive.  Seattle is not glamorous or fashionable.  Living in Florida, there seems to be a lot more emphasis on dressing up when going out on the town.  The extent of your needed wardrobe in Seattle is jeans, hiking boots, and fleece pull-overs.  This is not necessarily a bad thing.  The people there are not pretentious or out to impress.  There is a very open and authentic attitude there.  That being said, it does give off a certain "I simply don't care attitude."

Seattle does provide a unique blend of cosmopolitan coupled with  nature and outdoor activities.  On my trip, we made an excursion to the Orcas Islands.  Quite simply, the scenery was magnificent.  It held a certain untamed mystic vibe.

Bottom line: I loved Seattle, but I would not say I felt a pull to pack up and move out there.  However, I would jump at the opportunity to visit again.  Oh and BTW, for a lover of great wines and craft beers, the place is Valhala.

1792

I first encountered 1792 Bourbon about a year ago and immediately fell in love.  It possesses all of the right notes that I like in bourbon.  It has a nice combination of smoothness and spiciness.  My favorite go to bourbon has been Makers Mark but I believe that 1792 has all of the flavor elements of Makers but with just a little bit more.   1792 is offered by the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, KY.  It sits in the heart of Kentucky bourbon country.  For the price, typically between $28-$32 you can't go wrong.  I strongly recommend you give it a try the next time you are looking for a new whiskey to try.