Devall Travels

We liked the Gulf Coast for the sunset and all the quiet resorts we looked at. The Atlantic Coast was okay, but we are drawn back to the Gulf..... I logged into RCI.com and did a search and found a two bedroom at Fisherman's Village had become available. Knowing Claire had said she'd go back. I booked it. It has been 5 days waiting for the official confirmation. They have allocated us unit 20. Not 37 as we had hoped but now we have to see where 20 is. Facing the marina or the bay? The timeshare is Saturday to Saturday. So we arrive on Thursday evening about 6pm and we have two nights to stay somewhere before we go down to Punta Gorda.  And more ideas to mull over for the 5 nights after the Punta Gorda week is over.

Damn this holiday is going fast! Onto day 4 already. So today we were up pretty early and breakfasted. Then out to the office to thank them for sorting my suitcase. Then we booked a harbour boat trip for Friday to go and see the dolphins.  We did see one last night at Ponce de Leon park. Then we went and got some bikes for a trial ride up the harbor walkway to the centre of town. Bit knackering. Claire opted for a tricycle. The statue is to Ponce de Léon who discovered Florida. It wasn't lost I don't suppose in reality.  Of course we had the mandatory drink stop. With temps over 90 all day you need liquid. We chose TT Tiki bar on the harbour between the two US41 bridges. Then back to Fishernan's Village to have a wash before lunch. TBC

Up really early (for a holiday) about 7.30am and out for a walk to the wifi spot. The resort has free wifi but neither of the iPhones or Claire's Nexus can connect. After a healthy breakfast, we had a walk to the office. No bag came last night for me and none today. Called the number at 9.18 and left a message. No one has been arsed to call back. Called again after lunch. Same machine. We decided to have a run to Sanibel and Captiva Islands. TomTom once again hand held decided that I75 was preferable to US41. In the end it was just over an hour to handing over the $6 toll for the bridges, Causeway, and onto the island.  I remember nothing of it from my last visited but that was in 1991!! We had a coffee at Bailey's after a drive around the west of the island. Then Captiva.  The 25mph speed limits are a pain with the 20mph school zones at stall speed. We had lunch at the Mucky Duck right near the top of the island. Very nice sandwich. Very packed in...

Once on the ground at Fort Myers it was a short walk into the terminal building. At the gate the less lucky people waiting to fly back north on our plane on AC1235 were able to watch us arrive. Baggage claim quick and then straight out into the street.  Man is it HOT. It's what we came for I suppose, somewhere warm and sunny. We picked up the car from Alamo. See other blog entry " Extravagant ". With the TomTom mount and power in the missing suitcase (!) it became handheld for Claire and once it had found the satellites we were off for the apartment complex at Fisherman's Village at Punta Gorda. We arrived about 1230 local time and booked in. Did I say it was hot? The apartment is about halfway along the site and on the corner, so we have two aspects, South and west facing. I'm sure the balcony facing west will be good come sunset. The apartments are on the second floor, or what we would call first. T...