Average Monthly Temps
- Oct - 86 / 68
- Nov - 80 / 60
- Dec - 76 / 55
The forecast is for great weather!
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Did You Know?
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The Seafood Factory has added a pool table to it's back room?....the only one on the islands!
- Luminary Night is coming! It's always the first weekend in December. The islands are never crowded and its a great time
to do Christmas shopping for the folks back home. |
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Fun Tip
Stop by the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife
(C.R.O.W.) for a visit with some of the patients. Suitable for all ages, this "must-do" tour is fun and educational.
(Just don't tell that to the kids!) Monday through Friday at 11am for the entire year, and again on Sunday at 1pm
during the winter season.
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Shelling
Tips
The next time you pick up a Jingle Shell, look at the
inside. You will see a scar (where the muscle was attached) that is said to resemble a baby's foot, hence another
common name for this shell. Details of the scar vary, but some shells even show a heel and toes! |
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| Speak
Out! What specific
topics would you like to see covered in future editions?
Send us your suggestions
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Island Happenings |
The Lost Treasures of Sanibel?
LaFitte, Blackbeard, Black Caesar, Black Augustus, Gaspar. They linger still, like the morning mists among the palms...
Legends of buried treasure and pirates abound in Southwest Florida and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva are no
exception.
Henri Caesar a.k.a. Black Caesar, made his home on the Sanibel shell mounds of the Bay. According to legend, he was a
runaway slave, who stole a ship and began to raid the open waters. One haul - 26 tons of silver - he buried in Miami
but the arrival of settlers made him nervous and he moved his cache to Sanibel where there were few people and he could
maintain watch on both the Gulf and the Bay. It was here that some historians believe that Caesar stashed a treasure
valued between two and six million dollars. Pine Island is also noted as one site of Caesar's stash. Some of the old
trees on the island still bear mysterious pirate markings identical to markings found on Marco Island. The markings
have not been deciphered. Are they clues leading to riches from long ago?
There are multiple tales about Jose Gaspar a.k.a. Gasparilla. He is said to have lived on Gasparilla Island (hence the
name) and buried his treasure on Sanibel. Gaspar held women from wealthy families for ransom on Captiva
(presumably how Captiva got its name)...their wails of despair rising on the nighttime breezes still said to be heard to this day.
Unfortunately, he fell in love with one of the young ladies - a love she spurned, until in frustration, he ordered her
killed. It is said she haunted him till the day he died and that her remains are buried on Captiva in an unmarked grave.
The two legends become intertwined stating that Gaspar had a falling out with Black Caesar after Caesar stole some of
Gaspar's captured women for himself. Gaspar raided Black Caesar's Sanibel camp in revenge forcing Caesar to flee.
Many believe that the majority of Caesar's treasure had to be left when he fled Sanibel, where it still remains. There
is no record of the capture or death of Black Caesar.
Gaspar's reign came to an end in 1891 when he decided to attack a seemingly helpless British ship which turned out
to be the heavily armed American naval warship the USS Enterprise. As Gaspar's heavily damaged ship began to sink, he
twisted himself in the anchor chain and with cutlass in hand dove to his death sinking to the ocean floor....off the
island of Captiva to be near his beloved for all eternity.
What became of 30 million dollars in gold, silver and jewels that were allegedly stashed in 20 treasure chests? Some
believe that pirates left on shore loaded them into a long boat and escaped unnoticed up the Peace River. There they
bribed the owner of property with gold to keep quiet while they hid. Many years later almost $300,000 in gold coins was
found along the Peace River and the remains of the treasure chests are rumored to still be buried along the streams and
swamps. Others believe the treasure is hidden not only on Sanibel but spread out among several of the barrier islands.
So there you have it. Is there a treasure waiting to be found on Sanibel? You decide......but we will tell you that
occasionally, after a storm, gold doubloons are found washed up on the beaches.
From the Forum
Our interactive Message Forum has become a VERY popular addition - many folks wake up to it
daily, logging on to see what's new in their favorite vacation spot and taking a little armchair trip to the islands
over coffee. Come 'Dream' with us at BestofSanibelCaptiva.com!
A quote from a very satisfied visitor!
"All it takes is that first visit and your life will never be the same!
I don't really care if I never vacation anywhere else in my life ~ I've found the place I love! Something changes as
you drive over the causeway that's nearly unexplainable . . . everything slows down and life off the island just
doesn't matter anymore!"
Keeping Teens Happy
A frequently asked questions on the Forum is; "What is there for my teenager to do?"
Teens will be able to find plenty to do on the islands!
Fishing: either from the pier, the beach or hiring a guide for a half day.
Kayaking Local Waters; kayaks are inexpensive to rent and your kids can explore at their own pace or join a group
tour. This is a great way to get close to nature.
Parasailing
Biking: With 26 miles of bike paths on Sanibel, getting around is not a problem. If your kids are responsible,
let them explore on their own! We advise against Periwinkle Way and Captiva though...Periwinkle Way is risky and
Captiva has no bike paths; its narrow road gets dicey.
Touring "Ding" Darling Refuge - its especially interesting to hike or walk through. The Indigo Trail is a good bet
for seeing gators.
Do they like in-line skating? Have an interest in boogie boarding (or learning how)? Both can be rented very cheaply.
Movies - The Island Cinema shows first-run movies. Great if it rains or they've just had too much sun.
Pickup Beach Volleyball - Check Pointe Santo or Sundial. There's almost always a game going on and if they head
up to the pool area at Sundial, there will be kids their own age around... guarenteed!
Follow our list and you won't have to hear to "I'm borrrred" your entire vacation!
"We'll leave the light on!"
We have the latest air fare deals,
non-stop flights from your city
and the perfect home away from home!
Sanibel & Captiva Islands are waiting for YOU!
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