If you're one of the many seasonal residents who spend winters enjoying the sunshine in Southwest...
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Living and Working in Southwest FloridaFeatured Articles
Top Hurricane Supplies You Can’t Do Without: Our Favorites Revealed
Hurricane season is quickly approaching, so now is the time to start getting...
Recent Articles
How to Prepare Your Southwest Florida Home Before Heading North for the Summer (Complete Snowbird Checklist)
If you're one of the many seasonal residents who spend winters enjoying the sunshine in Southwest Florida and summers up north, you're not alone....
Top Hurricane Supplies You Can’t Do Without: Our Favorites Revealed
Hurricane season is quickly approaching, so now is the time to start getting prepared. In this post, I will be sharing our favorite...
Living in Estero, Florida: What Homeowners Need to Know (Especially Seasonal Residents)
Tucked between Naples and Fort Myers, Estero has quietly become one of Southwest Florida’s most desirable places to live — especially for seasonal...
Naples Botanical Garden Night Lights in Gorgeous Pictures
One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season in Naples is to go to the Night Lights in the Garden at the Naples Botanical Gardens, also...
Sanibel and Captiva Today: Two Years After Ian
With the approaching two-year anniversary of the devastation wrought on Sanibel and Captiva Islands by Hurricane Ian, it seemed like a good idea to...
In the Heart of Sanibel: The Driftwood Inn
Relax, unwind, and drift away Sanibel Island is one of our favorite places on earth and over the past 12 years, we’ve been so...
Exploring Tigertail Beach: Marco Island’s Hidden Gem
2026 Update: Since the recent dredging, it is no longer so easy to wade across the lagoon to Tigertail Beach. Even at low tide, you'll need to...
How to Easily Grow Everglades Tomatoes from Seeds for Delicious Bite-Sized Flavor!
It's no secret that growing vegetables in southwest Florida can be quite the challenge! Not many varieties can withstand, let alone thrive, in the...
5 Easy Tips to Make Succulents Grow Faster
by Major RammDo you pride yourself on your green thumb, but wondering how to make your succulents grow faster? Despite their reputation for...
The Naples Train Museum
by George TurczynEditor's Note:The Naples Train Museum is a true hidden gem in the heart of Naples! We've lived in Naples since 2014, but only...
Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park (& Its Awesome Humongous Playground!)
I had heard rumors floating around for a while about a possible new park and playground in Naples for those of us who live waaay out in the Estates,...
Is Sanibel Island Open? (Is it okay to visit after Ian?)
NOTE: This post was written in January of 2023. For an updated post written in August of 2024, see Sanibel and Captiva Today: Two Years After IanIs...
Are Sanibel Island Beaches Open?
Open Sanibel Public BeachesMarch 6, 2023 UPDATE!!! Sanibel public beaches & parking lots have started opening! The following Sanibel...
What is Open on Sanibel? (2023)
Sanibel and Captiva Islands got hit hard by Hurricane Ian, but they are slowly rebuilding and recovering. You may want to support Sanibel and its...
Surviving Hurricane Ian (Sanibel Survivor Story)
The following first-hand account was taken from the personal Facebook page of Angelika Geerlof, a resident of Sanibel Island, Florida, who survived...
Bimini Bait Shack Hurricane Ian Damage Update (Photos & Video 3 Months Later)
Bimini Bait Shack, a fun seafood restaurant, tiki bar and grill with the theme of the tropical paradise of the islands of the Bahamas, sustained...
How is the Bubble Room Captiva after Hurricane Ian?
2024 UPDATE: To see how the Bubble Room is doing today, see our post Sanibel and Captiva Today: Two Years After IanNo trip to Captiva Island was...
Sanibel Farmer’s Market Update after Hurricane Ian
Oh, how we all loved our Sunday trips to browse and shop the lovely Sanibel Farmer's Market! So many wonderful vendors with so many beautiful, fresh...
The Sanibel Public Library is Now Open after Hurricane Ian
I am so excited to announce that the Sanibel public library is now open after Ian! It reopened to residents on December 1, 2022, for a very nice...
How is Captiva Chapel by the Sea after Hurricane Ian?
Miraculously, the beautiful historic Chapel by the Sea on Captiva Island still stands after the devastation of Hurricane Ian on September 28,...
Sanibel Island Volunteer & Giving Opportunities
After Sanibel & Captiva Islands were devastated by Hurricane Ian, many of you have been wondering how you can help. I decided to start...
Signs of HOPE on Sanibel Island after Hurricane Ian (in Photos)
Hurricane Ian was no match for the residents of Sanibel. They are showing their strength, resiliency, and HOPE through the SIGNS they...
Signs of LIFE on Sanibel Island after Hurricane Ian
Sanibel Island was decimated when strong winds and a deadly 18' high storm surge from Hurricane Ian came rushing over and swallowing up the island...
What Naples Beaches are Open after Hurricane Ian?
Slowly but surely the beautiful beaches of Naples, Florida are opening up after Hurricane Ian! Of course, caution should still be used, but here is...
What Restaurants are Open on Sanibel after Hurricane Ian? (2024)
Hurricane Ian and its horrific storm surge severely damaged the entire island of Sanibel, and the restaurants were no exception. The great news is...
How is Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge after Hurricane Ian? (Photos)
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel Island, Florida was hit with a devastating blow when Hurricane Ian swept through on...
How is Vanderbilt Beach North Naples on Gulf Shore Drive after Hurricane Ian?
Almost six weeks after Hurricane Ian ravaged the SW Florida coast, all of the Naples beaches remained closed to the public, except for one*:...
How is Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park Naples after Hurricane Ian?
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in North Naples was known as "Old Florida" since it preserved the beautiful native flora and fauna of southwest...
Sanibel Island Online Shopping Directory (after Hurricane Ian)
So many of us are heartbroken not only for the beautiful Sanibel and Captiva Islands that were devastated by Hurricane Ian, but the island shops and...
Vanderbilt Beach Naples Storm Surge from Hurricane Ian (During and After)
Beautiful Vanderbilt Beach, also known as "Vandy Beach," in North Naples was completely devastated by the historic storm surge of Hurricane Ian....
How is the Casa Ybel Resort after Hurricane Ian?
Note: For our August 2024 update on Casa Ybel and Thistle Lodge, see our post Sanibel and Captiva Today: Two Years After IanMany of us have...
How is Ocean’s Reach Resort after Hurricane Ian?
Ocean's Reach Beachfront Condominiums were one of our favorite places to stay on Sanibel. Beautiful views of the Gulf from your balcony for your...
How is the Lighthouse Cafe after Hurricane Ian?
The Lighthouse Cafe is one of those must-visit destinations when visiting Sanibel Island. I can't tell you how many times we've eaten...
How is Mucky Duck after Hurricane Ian?
2024 UPDATE: To see how Sanibel and Captiva Islands are doing today, see our post Sanibel and Captiva Today: Two Years After IanHurricane Ian swept...
How is Jerry’s Foods Grocery Store after Hurricane Ian?
Stay updated on how Jerry’s Foods is doing after Hurricane Ian.
Hurricane Ian Damage in Marco Island, Florida (Photos One Week Later)
Marco Island was greatly impacted by Hurricane Ian that swept through the night of September 27 through the day September 28, 2022....
Hurricane Ian Update from our Family (Southwest Florida)
First of all, a heartfelt thank you to all who reached out to see how we were doing through Hurricane Ian and how you could...
How to Grow Mangroves at Home
Growing mangroves at home in pots is super fun and actually quite easy! When I moved from Ohio to southwest Florida, I couldn't wait to experiment...
Naples to Marco Island by Boat
If you ever spend any time in the Naples area of Florida and love being on the water, immersed in nature, then this is for you.Renting a...