Letter From Estero

                    A letter from Estero

       It is the 29^th of September here in Estero Florida.  The last two weeks, the mornings have been glorious. We sit outside the clubhouse or at the Coconut Point Panera, drinking coffee and enjoying temps in the mid 70’s. A gentle cooling zephyr often drifts in from the gulf, making us glad to be here. After Noon, it is a different story. The rising sun heats the area like an over. Temps reach well into the 90’s with a “feels like” temp, often near 100 degrees.

          We manage well enough. You just have to get up early, play golf, walk, swim or run errands and then retreat into an air-conditioned bubble for the rest of the day. We have read dozens of books and watched a lot of Netflix programs this summer.

          Occasionally, we venture out for lunch or dinner. Last week, we had a great swordfish dinner, with Gerry and Fran Bussey, at the beach side West Bay Club on Hickory Blvd. The food and service were exceptional. Prices were reasonable for a beach venue. The large picture windows, on the second-floor dining area, provided a scenic view of  the setting sun out over the gulf. This “reciprocal dining venue” on the beach is available to us until October 31.

         On another 0occaision, we sampled the happy hour production at the “Fresh Catch” restaurant at Coconut Point. The Silver Lake Cabernet was exception and at $6.00 a glass a real bargain. Small plates of grouper, calamari and a wonderful platter of honey glazed shrimp, made for a great visit.

         Last Month we made it up to St. Petersburg to see a visual show ta the Dali Museum. Afterwards, drifting through the mind-bending visuals of the Dali Museum left us in awe of this mad genius and his visionary works. The heavy winds and torrential downpour didn’t even darken our experience. I always have to struggle to make it southward over the elevated Sky Way bridge, in and out of St. Petersburg. The views of the Gulf are spectacular, but the height above sea level can be daunting.

        Most days we hit the gym or play a round of golf. The emerald expanse of the Spring Run golf course is both a pleasure to play on and a visual pleasure to drive through. The PGA guys still crowd the tee, but that is a fiscal reality of today’s sustainability. We don’t have any trouble in getting early tee times. We usually finish our nine-hole run in under one hour and 25 minutes, when we have the lead tee off time on either nine. You can’t do that in season. Sometimes it feels like playing polo from the carts, gliding along on an emerald carpet, as we speed across the manicured grass. It is much more fun than slow play. The maintenance crew does its usual best in keeping the curse in top shape, bless them.

          Lack of personnel has kept the Oases bar closed most of the Summer, to all of our regret. I think it will soon be open. Dining in the “bowling alley” is just not the same.

           Two hurricanes are currently flowing up the east Coast of Florida. Neither is expected to make landfall. The Carolinas are in its path this time. Bless them and keep them safe.

            The local issues are about Florida’s new “open carry “law. You can just picture some of the yahoos who will be strutting their stuff with wild west gun belts and an aggressive attitude to varmints who disagree with them. May the Lord keep us all safe. The vaccination debate has heated up again. Governor De Santis had legislation passed that does not Mandate children’s vaccines in Florida Schools. Vaccination rates for both Covid and Flu shots are way down from last year in all age categories. Let’s hope we have a mild, disease-free Winter Season.

              The beach towns are all looking pretty spiffy. Sanibel reports that they have 76 % of their Hotel rooms  and restaurants repaired and available for use this season. Captiva is just as beautiful to drive through as ever.

               The huge bridge, leading onto Hickory Island from the South, is taking shape nicely. When it opens next year, the view out onto the Gulf should be spectacular.

               Most of us are getting ready to welcome our seasonal brethren back from the North. It will be fun to see all of the familiar faces and begin all of the seasonal activities. I always characterize our area as a big sand box, with all the kids wanting to play, in season.

              Safe travels to y’all. We look forward to your return.

                                                      -30-

                                                    (778 words)

                                             Joseph Xavier Martin