Seashells as Metaphors

seashell on the shore of the beach

Photo from the Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce

 

An article from JournalStandard.com in Freeport, IL:

From the Old Pine Rocker: Led by a book to enchanted islands

 

During the holidays, a dear friend I used to work with came to visit, and she brought me a painting by a Freeport artist featuring lovely seashells. As always,  » Read more

An Ice Age Sand Dune

aerial photo of cabbage key and woman taking a photo

Photo from Narcity

 

Southwest Florida has countless unique locales that belong on your bucket list, with histories that are just as unique.

For instance, many of our guests delight in taking a lunch cruise up to Cabbage Key, just north of Captiva.  Did you know that the island formed around 10,000 B.C.?  According to geologists, it is considered an “ice age sand dune”  » Read more

A Honey Sommelier

Marina Marchese with bee hives

 

Almost two decades ago, Marina Marchese fell in love with bees during a tour of a neighbor’s honeybee hives. She built her own beehive, ordered bees, and was soon harvesting honey.

She eventually quit her job in the arts, and even spent time in Italy training to become a ‘honey sensory expert’ – which is basically like being a honey sommelier. Today, her small business Red Bee Honey sells artisanal honey and honey-related products to shops and restaurants all over the country.  » Read more

Island Jazz is back!

Man playing a saxophone

 

Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon enjoying the tunes of the ever-popular Island Jazz musicians as they return to the BIG ARTS Garden this Sunday, February 2 from 3 – 5pm.

While this will be the group’s only performance in February, they’ll be back every Sunday throughout March and April.

As past guests will tell you, this is a special weekend treat!  Bring a chair and come early to enjoy this free concert in the open air.  » Read more

Conch-tastic!

Guests Linda and David holding Horse Conch Shells

 

Kudos to guests Linda and David P. from Frederick, WI for spotting these five beautiful horse conch shells during their recent visit to Ocean’s Reach.  As annual guests for the past five years, they’ve learned to save extra space in their luggage for the trip home!

The horse conch (Triplofusus giganteus), also known as the giant band shell, has been Florida’s official state shell since 1969.   » Read more

A Little Taste of Bourbon Street

Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen

 

We just saw this great review of Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen in Florida Weekly:

The food and flair of the French Quarter isn’t what you’d expect to find on a sedate Florida island best known for its shell-laden beaches, preserved nature and snowbird population. Nevertheless, Mudbugs bills itself as “Bourbon Street at the Beach,” and its interpretation of New Orleans cuisine is a welcome addition to Sanibel’s dining scene — and to greater Southwest Florida,  » Read more

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