Good morning,

As requested here is my photo of my morning metal detecting finds. Most interesting is the Mercedes Benz 500SL hot wheels car, the silver bead, and the little sliver heart with “Love” on it. The $2.44 will go towards donuts or batteries, whichever is required first! Who would wean their child on a Mercedes Benz hot wheels car? Why develop such expensive tastes so early in life? If you have any familiarity with Casa Ybel, tell me what the large blue coin next the car is used for. I think it might be worth a drink at their bar? I found about a dozen beer cans as well, but they weren’t included in the photo.

I also found a nice Florida walking stick this morning near the shell washing station. I noticed that two white dots starting appearing next to its thorax when I collected her. She was trying to spray me with a white substance that can spray about a foot from the creature to poison attackers. Andy reports they might be harmful to humans… and he is right. The poison they can spray can cause great pain in your eyes for up to 5 days and might require a doctor’s visit. At 30 degrees the muscles that make this work just didn’t this morning… thank goodness. Here is a picture and an article if you are curious. I will experiment with some Plexiglas to shield me the next time I find one.

http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/Walkingstick.htm

-Andy (4D1)

This is Claus’ grandchildren from Sweden! From the smiles on their faces, it looks as if it must have been a good game…congratulations!

Here are a few more photos from our chartered fishing trip. They were taken while fishing 2 1/2 hours off shore on the Theresa Marie, captained by Dick Cain. We caught grouper, snapper and one tuna. Son Chris provided delicious meals from this catch. Some of the fish were grilled in the Grove at Ocean’s Reach, some were broiled and others were baked. All were enjoyed.

Sam

Coming soon!

Recently,while reuniting at Ocean’s Reach with siblings and their families,the Gaasruds sat down with Dru to share family remembrances. They have spent 30 years of family vacations staying at Ocean’s Reach on Sanibel. Catch their story on an upcoming video which will be presented on the Ocean’s Reach web site.

Videographer is Eric Taubert, and be assured, we will post a link here as soon as it is ready for viewing.

A shady spot to work, catch up with friends far away or post a blog comment. Our beach front pool is only steps from the sparkling gulf waters and your Sanibel cottage condo at Ocean’s Reach. Our wireless, high speed internet access is complimentary from your condo, lanai and pool!

Hi

Having grown up in the Boston area and suffering through many long winters that never seemed to end until June, two rites of spring while living up north were the start of the Red Sox spring training and the Masters Golf Tournament. This year I was fortunate to have tickets to the Tuesday practice round at Augusta. The course was everything and more than what I imagined. Not a weed to be seen and the beauty of the dogwoods, rododendrums and azaleas were spectacular. The day was cool and windy, however it did not deter my enthusiasm to walk the entire course twice and leave the gift store in a much poorer condition than when I entered.

Pictured is Gary Player on the 9th hole, Phil on the 10th tee box and Tiger on the practice putting green. I am pictured with the signature 13th hole in the background.

Andy

Condo chefs and good friends, Abbie and Sarah, created a great spread of delicious food for the Hamilton family staying at Ocean’s Reach this week. On the menu was “really good” fresh pasta bought at Sanibel’s Farmer’s Market topped with a homemade tomato sauce and then topped with bites of grilled chicken (from The Grove at Ocean’s Reach). You might have seen these two (you couldn’t miss them in their adorable aprons) scrambling through the corridors looking for an extra salt shaker to season the sauce!
Thanks Abbie and Sarah for the cute photo and a tempting recipe idea!

The Goertemiller Family, 1976

Thank you for letting me share with my Ocean’s Reach friends and family a picture of the Goertemillers taken over the Christmas holiday in 1976 at Ocean’s Reach—Dru, Lyn, Kurt, Mother and Dad. I remember this trip to Sanibel and those tee shirts Mother made as if it were yesterday.

This is a very special photo to me as it is one of our family’s first of many visits to OR (when OR was just two years old) as guests –and later owners– and a loving tribute to my mother who passed away recently and to my dad who today celebrates 58 years of marriage to my mother! Sanibel was my parent’s favorite family destination spot throughout the years and continues to be the ultimate relaxation spot for my dad.

My siblings and I miss my mother more and more each day as memories resurface, needs go unspoken and the reality of her absence sets in. She was the epicenter of our extended families, a very pretty woman (as you can see), creative and fun loving. We never made an important decision without her!

Thanks, Mother and Dad, for introducing all of us kids to Ocean’s Reach and Sanibel when we were snowbound in the Buckeye state and for the values passed along of hard work, good financial management and the dreams and rewards of condo ownership on a sunny, warm beach that we are fortunate to experience today.

My dad, brother and sister also want to thank the owners, staff and winter guests at Ocean’s Reach who reached out overwhelmingly to us during my mother’s illness and death with their kindness and caring.

Happy Anniversary, Daddy!

Pictured below is Heather Cisowski, daughter of Lisa and Ed. She is a top ten ranked junior player in the mid west region of the country. Heather is 13 years old and played twice with Andy on her recent stay at Ocean’s Reach.

Needless to say Andy was not victorious and moved slowly on the 3rd day.

The tennis court at Ocean’s Reach was rebuilt recently and has been proclaimed by many as being the finest hard surface court on Sanibel Island. We are lucky to have this wonderful court for such talented players as Heather to play on.

Hi!

Congratulations to the Big Ten 200 Yard Butterfly Champion!!

The Braun family girls have been coming here every year, even before they were born.

Katie, on the left just graduated from Northwestern University were she was on the swim team. Sarah, in the center, graduates from High School this year and will attend the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire. Megan, on the right, attends Minnesota University and this year is the Big Ten champion in the 200 yard butterfly.

Returning to Ocean’s Reach every year is the highlight of their winter season.

Andy