Average Monthly Temps
- Jan - 74 / 53
- Feb - 75 / 54
- Mar - 80 / 58
The forecast is for Great weather!
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Did You Know?
- Cheeburger, Cheeburger is open in its new location
in Tahitian Gardens? ....the same great food now with plenty of parking! Remember to print out our
coupon and take it with you.
- The Sanibel Shell Fair is coming
March 2 - 4! Enjoy arts & crafts, food, entertainment and get ideas on what to do with
your shell collection. |
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Fun Tip
Stop by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Center for unique insight into the Island’s ecosystems. Visitors can walk
4.5 miles of trails, climb an observation tower, experience a butterfly exhibit and learn about various island
habitats in the Nature Center. Guided trail tours, shoreline discovery walks and many other programs are available.
Price is $3 for adults; members and children 17 and under are admitted free. Hours vary with the season; call
(239) 472-2329 for information. |
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Shelling
Tips
Left or Right Handed?
Hold a spiral shell tail down and see which side the opening is on as it faces you. A left-handed shell is a freak of
nature and a rare find. The exception is the Lightning Whelk - they are almost always lefties and a rightie of this
species would be a rare find. Wrong-coiling shells are called "sinistral specimens" by collectors.
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...to admit your addiction to the Islands?
Let the world know with our Cool Stuff!
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Out! What specific
topics would you like to see covered in future editions?
Send us your suggestions
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Island Happenings |
The Story of Algiers
Algiers Lane leads to Gulfside City Park. While you are on the Islands, you may hear
many locals and long-time visitors refer to the area as Algiers Beach. Do you know why?
The Algiers was a 160 foot paddlewheel steamer that, for just over 30 years, ferried passengers and cars from New
Orleans to the Algiers Naval Station in Louisiana. In the late 1950s, shipping heiress Helen Hooper married Lathrup
Brown. Both were said to be enthralled with the Algiers and her graceful beauty. Together they decided to purchase the
steamer and make her their home - on the 30+ acres of beachfront property that was Lathrup's wedding gift to his bride.
In April of 1959 the Str. Algiers was retired and five tugs towed her to Sanibel. The paddles were temporarily
removed right in the Gulf for the last part of the journey - Algiers was dragged, by hand, one quarter mile, through a
trench dug in the beach to her place of honor. The trench was filled and the Algiers was home.
The Browns set about refitting their new home from a distance. Winding Algiers Lane was cut as a private drive and the
huge paddles were reset. Terrazzo floor tiles were imported direct from Italy, as were marble countertops from France.
Gold shells and seahorses were inlaid in the sinks and faucets of the restrooms. Only the very best would do. A
caretaker's cottage was built, a wading pool added and while the grounds were being landscaped...Lathrup died
unexpectedly. Helen couldn't bear the thought of living there without her husband and never returned. Neither of them
ever saw the grandam in all her glory.
In 1960, the Algiers and the property were put up for sale as a resort. There were no takers and the property sat
empty until a caretaker was hired in 1969 to keep watch. For many years the gleaming smokestacks were visable above the
treetops and glimpses of the steamer herself from the beach inspired many stories and much speculation.
Time and nature took their toll and the beautiful steamer was allowed to decay. In 1979, the City of Sanibel purchased
the land and looked into restoring the Algiers but considered the bottomline to be prohibitive. Despite the outcries
of residents, visitors and historical and maritime societies, the salvagable remains of Algiers were auctioned off and
in 1981 she was demolished. Gulfside City Park was born soon after.
Today, you can still see traces of the Algiers on Sanibel. The bell is at City Hall, the anchor is displayed at the
entrance to the Board of Public Works and the historical society is the keeper of the pilotwheel and other artifacts.
The next time you are at Gulfside City Park or you hear someone refer to Algiers Beach, take a moment to remember a lady
now gone and imagine a time when golden spires emerged out of the morning mists.....
From the Forum
Our Message Board remains 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 recent visitor:
"I am at my office desk thinking of the great times we had (on vacation)
- the sunset drinks on the beach, the fun and food - but (several) months to go until we return. In the meantime,
please keep posting the great updates, stories & pictures which enable me to disapear from the hum-drum of my office
desk and sandwiches to the islands we love so much."
From Our Mailbox
We frequently get e-mail from people asking what kind of creatures they may encounter
along Island beaches.
One way to learn and have fun at the same time is to visit Sundial Resort's Environmental Coastal Observatory (ECO)
Center. The Center allows visitors to get acquainted with many of the smaller creatures that call Sanibel and
Captiva home and teaches you what to look for as you explore our beaches. Inside, the Center houses a
450-gallon touch tank, a 180-gallon saltwater aquarium, a coral tank, and a turtle tank.
The Touch Tank is a unique experience that offers the opportunity to handle creatures such as the Horse Conch, whelks,
seastars (starfish) and hermit and calico crabs.
The Saltwater Aquarium has hosted many creatures over the years, from Pompano fish and rays to sharks and currently
Moray eels. Ask when feeding time is and enjoy the show!
The staff at the ECO Center is eager to answer questions and can even help with the identification of shells.
Are you planning a stay at Sundial? You may not know that the ECO Center also serves as Sundial's recreation department.
Board games, beach toys and more are loaned out from this location.
"We'll leave the light on!"
We have the latest air fare deals,
the perfect home away from home and
monthly Tide Charts for your trip!
Sanibel & Captiva Islands are waiting for YOU!
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