W. P. Franklin Corps of Engineers Campground, Ft. Myers, FL:  Drove down to Sanibel Island around noon.  We were going to take the bikes and bike the island, but nixed that when I woke up with a headache that wouldn’t quit.  Besides the wind really picked up and it was pretty blustery.  We got on the island around 1:00 and dined al fresco on the back deck at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille.  Doc Ford is the main character in the novels by Randy Wayne White (say that fast three times).  Randy is a well known author here in Florida and his stories center around various locales in southern Florida—but mostly in Sanibel.  In fact, he used to sell fish from this very building, as he used to run fishing charters out of Tarpon Bay Marina, just up the road from what is now the restaurant.  The food was very good.  I had coconut-encrusted, pan-seared yellow tail snapper served over rice pilaf with a medley of julienne vegetables.  Washed down with an Island Mojito—rum, mint, lime juice, sugar and soda water.  Mike had a pork chop with cheese grits, which had the consistency of mashed potatoes.  After lunch we drove back on McGregor through the older section of Ft. Myers.  Stopped at a produce stand to pick up a few things just as the rain started. A couple of guys in a sailboat tied up to the pilings in the river just in front of our site.  Just in time too, as it started raining pretty good—the eagle keeping a watchful eye on them.  84 when we got to Sanibel.  73 as the front came through.

Eagle was back this morning--crows didn't like it.

Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille--Sanibel Island

Coconut-encrusted, pan seared yellow tail snapper, served on a bed of rice pilaf and julienne vegetables

Ft. Myers is called the City of Palms--McGregor Blvd. is lined on both sides with Royal Palms