In a Flip-Flop State of Mind.

Okay, so most people can probably guess that Key lime pie and sunscreen were invented in Florida, but what about Gatorade?

C’mon, it’s in the name!  Gatorade was created by University of Florida scientists in the 1960s.

For an interesting take on its history, click here!

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It’s kinda hard to blow out candles behind masks these days, but that doesn’t damper our enthusiasm in wishing Andy the warmest of birthday wishes today!

To say his staff knows him well would be an understatement.  Lisa made a spectacular “Bloody Brownie” tour de force for Andy’s special day, as she knew he would enjoy the layers upon layers of chocolate-chip cookie dough,  » Read more

Photo of loggehead sea turtle hatchling by Stephanie Plein

At least 2020 has been good for one thing:  a record-breaking nesting season for loggerhead sea turtles on Sanibel and Captiva islands.

It’s official!  As of two days ago, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s sea turtle team has documented 659 nests on Sanibel, breaking the previous record number of 649 set in 2017.  » Read more

Advice from a Woodpecker

– Find your own rhythm –

– Peck away at obstacles –

– Be colorful –

– Carve a place out for yourself –

– Make your voice heard –

– Use your head!  » Read more

The Ocean’s Reach beach on Monday afternoon

with soon-to-intensify Tropical Storm Laura approximately 250 miles south of Sanibel Island

Our hearts are with everyone who will be impacted by the rare back-to-back storms in the Gulf of Mexico this week.

Prepare well.  Stay safe.  And you will get through this.

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“Sometimes in the waves of change

we find our true direction.”

– Unknown

Should you have any photos you’d like to share, please email them to Dina@OceansReach.com.

Today’s Guest Photographer:  Del Shepard

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Knowledge is power, as they say.

With that in mind, here are a few “life hacks” that could certainly come in handy on your next trip to Florida.

• For power outages, light the paper wrapper of a crayon and it will burn for up to 30 minutes.  (Big-time parental supervision required.)
• When the A/C breaks?  Simply place a frozen bottle of water in front of a fan for instant relief.

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Yes, Amazon’s popular Alexa device can be found in homes and cars, but did you know that now Alexa can also be found in bicycle helmets?

Earlier this year, the Safe-Tec company introduced its new TyrPlus smart bicycle helmet during the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.

The TyrPlus has integrated Alexa functionality, Bluetooth, front and rear lights, brake lights and turn signals.  » Read more

Sea turtles, dolphins, and otters, oh wow!

These super-cute kids masks just swam into the retail waters over at the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge.

Your elementary-aged kids will have fun wearing some of the cutest “faces” at the Refuge on their faces. Reusable and double-layered, they are as protective as they are “outdoorable.”

For more information on these “Youth Masks for Conservation,”  » Read more

An excerpt from an article in the Fort Myers News-Press:

It’s the marine equivalent of a Florida panther encounter: something so extraordinarily rare that even some biologists who study the smalltooth sawfish have never seen one in the wild.

But for Megan Durling, it was simply an extraordinary bit of good luck. “I’d been out looking for shark’s teeth when I saw it,” said the Cape Coral resident of her experience with the endangered creature at her dad’s house on the Caloosahatchee River in Alva (about an hour inland and northeast from Ocean’s Reach).  » Read more