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Monthly Archives: December 2014

Punta Gorda, Florida Visit to Holidays on the Harbor Was So Much More!

Waterfront dining is a given in the Keys! Fish, shrimp, FL. lobster (crawfish) conch salad, pelicans soaring by, a breeze that Keys residents say "life is a breeze in the Keys."
Waterfront dining is a given in Punta Gorda. Fish, shrimp, lobster conch salad, pelicans soaring by, being “easy breezy”  residents say in Punta Gorda and throughout the Islands of  Charlotte Harbor area!

APtravelnews-Bob and Barb “on the Road Again” December 19th, Punta Gorda, FL.—Holidays are celebrated family-style in the wonderfully diverse Southwest Florida communities that comprise Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands. This year we were invited to join in on the festivities, and what a terrific experience it was. We enjoyed moments in the “Twilight Zone” of brilliant lighting, driving us back nostalgically by lighted sleigh and sailboat to a time when we had our family all around us during the Holiday Season, but only interrupted by the vagaries of what the future does to all of us!

Of course when you travel, having a quality, enjoyable, laid back yet fun and youthful atmosphere in and around your accommodations, is tantamount to making everything as perfect as it can be. The rooms, the giant Tiki Bar on the Harbor, the meals and the extremely friendly staff at the Four Points  by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside  (WWW.fourpointspuntagordaharborside.com) were a precursor to one of the finest adventure weekends Barb and I have experienced in our many visits all around the USA. Stay tuned for more, but go: www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com  for much more information about this spectacular place in time and space!    Again, Stay Tuned, much more of our adventure to come!

The open and modern registration and lobby opens up directly into their cocktail bar and restaurant. The food was great! The beer on tap was too!
The open and modern registration and lobby opens up directly into their cocktail bar and restaurant. The food was great! The beer on tap was too!
Barb relaxing in a quiet room at the Four Points Sheraton Punta Gorda, Harborside
Barb relaxing in a quiet room at the Four Points Sheraton Punta Gorda, Harborside
Holiday time in Punta Gorda, FL.
Holiday time in Punta Gorda, FL.

Punta Gorda, Florida A Very Merry Time During Holiday Season & On The Tropical Waters too!

Fishermans Village in Punta Gorda has their "Santa on" big time. So many visitors enjoying boat excursions to see the night Christmas lights, having so much fun and dining on great seafoods and dessert chocolates. We still slept well on full-stomachs!
‘Santa WOWS children and adults alike at Fisherman’s Village!

APtravelnews-December 14th, Punta Gorda, FL. Posted by Bob and Barbara-There are few things more enjoyable then spending holidays with family and friends. This year as in many past, Punta Gorda, FL puts on their holiday faces using broad strokes of the Christmas light brush. We are staying at the 4-Points Sheraton, overlooking the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Boats everywhere are festooned with “lights of the season.” A very welcoming sight after remembering how nearly 10-years ago, this area, as much of central Florida was devastated by a severe hurricane. You’d never know this now! What a festive and delightful place to be for the holidays and for anyone at all times that love the saltwater outdoor arena for fun in the sun!  Keep viewing for continuous updates on our trip to Punta Gorda!  In the mean time check out: www.charlotteharbor.com 

Punta Gorda teaches even the youngest how to catch thee "big ones."
Punta Gorda teaches even the youngest how to catch thee “big ones.”
Dinner at Fisherman's Village at the Village Fish Market gave us a great accounting of the kinds of succulent seafood fare available on the western end of the Florida Peninsula!
Dinner at Fisherman’s Village at the Village Fish Market gave us a great accounting of the kinds of succulent seafood fare available on the western end of the Florida Peninsula

Tervis Tumblers Now Offers Bass, Walleye, Crappie and Redfish “FISHOUFLAGE” Insulated Tumblers

 

See the Redfish tail? Fishouflage Tervis Tumbler offers 4 different fresh and a saltwater fish to!
See the Redfish tail? Fishouflage Tervis Tumbler offers 4 different fresh and a saltwater fish to!

APtravelnews-December 10th, Port St Lucie, FL. Bob & Barb (we like these a lot)—-Camouflage-Yep! But for Tervis Tumblers its “Fishouflage” in and on their insulated tumbler glasses. Very neat item for gift giving too! What we like first of all is; the Tervis brand means insulated. We like our drinks cold when we want them cold and hot when we want them hot! The insulated tumblers help a lot in this regard. Now with a line of sportsmen and women friendly tumblers called “Fishouflage” they have sent a message that fishermen already know well-fish do camouflage themselves in and under the cover of trees and brush, weed and rock. The graphics show this wonderfully. You have to look a bit under the covers so to speak to see the Redfish, Bass, Crappie or Walleye hiding out in almost plain sight, yet “Fishouflaged” on a 16 ounce, Tervis Tumbler! Go Tervis on the internet and check out this fine companies offerings!

Bass, Crappie, Walleye and a Redfish are depicted in these new Tervis Tumblers.
Bass, Crappie, Walleye and a Redfish are depicted in these new Tervis Tumblers show atop of my Coleman Portable Grill!

Snook harvest seasonal closure in Atlantic starts Dec. 15

Captain Joe Massaro from Stuart, FL. shows off a canal caught snook he photo'd and released.
Captain Joe Massaro from Stuart, FL. shows off a canal caught snook he photo’d and released.

APtravelnews-December 9, 2014-FL.-Compiled by Bob T. Epstein–For all you fishing enthusiasts who love Mr. and Mr.s Snook-The Snook harvest seasonal closure in Atlantic starts Dec. 15

The recreational harvest (commercial fishing for snook is always off season) season for snook closes Dec. 15 in Atlantic state and federal waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, and will remain closed through Jan. 31, 2015, reopening to harvest Feb. 1. Snook can be caught and released during the closed season. Why are snook an important and excellent, mostly close to shore sport-fish? They taste terrific, are active jumpers, are a premier sport-fish with an attitude and there are few anglers who turn up their noses at this fabulous fish. Earlier in the 20th Century they were fished hard and so plentiful (similar to cod) that they were taken in huge numbers. They almost disappeared from Florida waters. Today they are regulated and have made a big comeback. But, that is due to regulations that have helped this happen.

Gulf state and federal waters, including Monroe County and Everglades National Park, closed Dec. 1 and will reopen to harvest March 1, 2015.

This and other regular season closures are designed to help protect the species during vulnerable times such as cold weather.

For more information on snook, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing” and “Recreational Regulations.”