Frank and me on the Fishing Pier at Fort Myers Beach
This winter was a tough, long one for us in Ann Arbor. We did escape the polar vortex for a long weekend in Florida to visit my grandparents and also stop in Fort Myers where Frank used to visit every spring with his family when he was growing up.
View of Matanzas Pass Bridge from Nervous Nellie's
Although the restaurant that Frank would often grab clam chowder for lunch when he was a kid was gone, another restaurant was in that spot and we stopped there for the largest lobster rolls I've ever seen and a beautiful view of Matanzas Pass Bridge.
Lobster Roll at Nervous Nellie's
After lunch, which was on the harbor side, we walked down Old San Carlos Boulevard toward the Gulf, passing through the little shopping area known as Times Square.
Clock tower at Fort Myers Beach's Time Square
Being a beautiful weekend the beach was packed with people enjoying the sun and water.
Colorful beach umbrellas along Fort Myers Beach
Frank and I walked out on the Fishing Pier for a lovely view back at the beach and a few sea birds as well.
Pelicans on the Fishing Pier at Fort Myers Beach
View looking back at the beach from the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier
That afternoon we drove past the house that Frank's grandmother once owned. It was only two blocks from the Caloosahatchee River and every night when they were visiting her they would walk to the river to watch the sunset.
Looking across the Caloosahatchee River
We spent the next morning on Sanibel Island and headed back to Fort Myers in the afternoon. When we drove down McGregor Boulevard with its impressive palm trees flanking each side, Frank told me that when he was little seeing those palm trees meant he was almost to his grandma's house.
Palm trees lining McGregor Boulevard
Our last stop in Fort Myers was downtown where we grabbed lunch at a great deli and walked around a bit admiring the Art Deco buildings before our flight home.
Art deco building in Downtown Fort Myers
Although we weren't in Fort Myers very long it was great to see some of the places that were part of Frank's childhood, plus escaping from the snow didn't hurt, either!