On the Road and in the Sky, Again

Thanks to Wikipedia (we do contribute) for the photo -- I didn't see a single manatee this time.

Cute here, writing this week’s  blog as I sit in a canvas beach chair alongside Cutest, on one of the sunny and shell strung beaches of Sanibel, Florida. Days before K. C. weather turned dark, wet and gloomy, we jumped ship and drove south to Florida. At least Sola, my dog if you haven’t been paying attention, and I motored 1500 miles to Sanibel Island. A few days later Cutest boarded a couple of planes that flew her to Ft. Myers, the closest airport to Sanibel. Our private jet was in the shop for repairs.

Although I love long-distance driving, Cutest is not a fan. Definitely not. She's not terribly fond of driving in the rain, my fast food choices on the road, or just sitting.That works out ok as I often seek out quaint, others would say dilapidated, overnight sleeping accommodations, which are often the ones that also accept dogs.

One of my favorites when reaching Florida has been the delightful Port Paradise Hotel in Crystal River, a winter sanctuary for migrating manatees, also referred to as sea cows. Manatees have faces that only their mother could love. After all, they are thought to be a distant relative of the elephant. Loafing along at three to five miles per hour, these tranquil, intelligent mammals are enjoyable to observe. For a closer inspection, you can join other tourists on a pontoon boat and float out to where manatees congregate or slip on snorkel gear for an up close and personal in water experience. Do not touch the manatees!

Back at the hotel/motel, Sola and I soaked up the nostalgia that lingers in and around this 1940s-built structure. The room’s interior, not quite Paradise, shows its four or five layers of paint, salt air corroded faucets and three or four interior remodels that have been applied over the last 70 plus years.

However, the picture window perfectly frames the view of the bay and helps direct your mind away from the room’s flaws.To the right of the hotel is a restaurant and beyond that is a dockside bar. It is Paradise!  As the sun slowly sank behind an island of Spanish moss-laden trees directly across from the dock, I sipped a frosty glass of Landshark beer, waiting for my dinner of ice cold, freshly caught Florida shrimp to be served.

Sadly, this Florida time warp will disappear by next year. Already the concrete walls of the new Hotel Paradise are rising and condos will replace the aging motel rooms.The next morning Sola and I continued our drive to the Ft. Myers airport and welcomed Cutest to Florida. What a shame that Cutest will never have the opportunity to visit Paradise and its tiny time capsule.

However, Cutest just might have a different opinion.