Month: August 2022

The famed mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs have been luring guests from across the globe for over seven decades.  Weeki Wachee’s glory days were the 1960s, and girls from as far away as Japan came to try out as mermaids.  Perhaps the ultimate sign of its coolness then: Elvis visited!

Today, the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park — about a 3 1/2-hour drive from Sanibel —  » Read more

Although we know how difficult it is to leave your beach chair most days, we also understand that sometimes you just get an itch to see more of what Florida has to offer.  We can’t blame you, and although we occasionally highlight other fun things to do nearby in our state, we thought we’d spend this week highlighting some easy “day trips” from Ocean’s Reach!

For instance,  » Read more

It’s time for the 2022 Python Challenge, which is music to the ears of Edison National Bank CEO Geoff Roepstorff, a committed environmentalist who can often be found hunting invasive pythons deep in the Everglades.

He and fellow Edison National Bank founder — and wife — Robbie Roepstorff have become the first sponsors of this year’s official python removal competition, scheduled for August 5 –  » Read more

Many of you have asked about the fire last weekend at the popular Island Cow restaurant.  Sadly, the landmark Sanibel establishment, which has been a staple for residents and visitors alike for more than 20 years, experienced extensive fire damage in an after-hours incident.  Gratefully, no-one was hurt.

This is the official update from the eatery’s owners:

The Island Cow is currently closed following a fire that started in our kitchen after we had closed for the evening.  » Read more

“It’s all about who you look for in a crowded room.  

That’s who your heart belongs to.”

– Anonymous

Should you have any photos you’d like to share, please email them to [email protected]  » Read more

Sometimes you’ve just got to chill out, especially in the middle of a hot summer.  If you’re looking for a big chill, Hertz Arena’s recreational rink delivers refreshing public skating sessions.

Enjoy gliding — or waddling, like some of us — around their 200′ x 85′ skating rink, complete with lasers on the ice and pop tunes in the air.

Public skating hours are offered daily,  » Read more

Tiger Swallowtail

Malachite and Monarch

Zebra Longwing

Black Swallowtail

The Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly House at Rotary Park is one of the premier attractions in our neighboring community of Cape Coral.

The Butterfly House is home to many native Florida butterfly species,  » Read more

Did you know that Thomas Edison and his family had many strange and unusual pets when they lived in Southwest Florida?

They kept alligators, monkeys, peacocks and even a pet pelican named Jerry.  Jerry was a tricky bird who liked to play hide and seek, and he has become the inspiration for a new scavenger hunt for families now available at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.  » Read more

Grab your binoculars and head to Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary for a rare “Super” Ghost Orchid sighting!

The ghost orchid is one of the rarest flowers in North America.  It relies on extremely sensitive, wetland habitats, and is known to live only in southern Florida and Cuba.

Discovered in July 2007, the Corkscrew “Super” ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii) has drawn attention from around the world as it is the largest ghost orchid discovered to date.  » Read more

Thanks once again to Dave Horton for his great Hortoons!  » Read more