Punta Gorda, Fl

There is something about a getaway that is refreshing and oh so good for the soul. Parker and I spent 5 days in Punta Gorda recently and it was absolutely amazing. We have some sweet family that lives there and are always so generous in opening their home to us for a visit. I wanted to share some of my most favorite memories from our adventure this time!

Monday | Travel Day

5:00 am - on Easter Monday came early, but we popped out of bed threw our toiletries in our suitcases and headed for the airport. We flew LYH > CLT and then CLT > RSW from there with only a short layover in Charlotte. We arrived in Fort Myers around 11:15 am which meant we had pretty much the entire day to enjoy in the warm sunshine and settle in.

12:00 pm. - we arrived at our aunt and uncles' home in Punta Gorda Isles just in time for a yummy picnic style lunch by the pool. We fixed a sandwich and munched on chips and salsa.

2:00 pm - Now that we were settled in, we slipped out of our travel attire, into our bathing suits, I grabbed my book, Parker his iPad, and out we went to lounge by the pool. We enjoyed the quiet, relaxing afternoon together laying by the pool.

7:00 pm - Dinner Time! Our sweet family generously took us out to dinner on our first night there and it was fabulous. Seafood is always better on the coast anyways. They treated us at Laishley Crab House to ring in vacation. Parker had a steam pot and I indulged in the new Mahi dish on their updated menu. Both dishes were simply delish. We are looking forward to paying the crab house a visit the next time we are down there.

Tuesday | Pool Day

Our first full day in Punta Gorda paradise was much less structured and quite relaxing. Parker and I woke up around 7:30 am and somehow convinced Parker to go on a jog with me, YAY! We got our jog in and a quick walk with Aunt Jane and the pup Marty. There is just something special about fresh squeezed orange juice, especially when you are greeted with is upon arrival back from a good run. Uncle Bob makes fresh squeezed orange juice daily and when asked, always shares, "A day with out orange juice is like a day with out sunshine"

After indulging in our OJ and a fresh cup of coffee, we set out to take an adventure through the canals on the dingy before popping into the grocery store and hanging in the pool. There is just something about quality time away from distractions, breathing in sunshine, God's creation, and with the love of your life. Never convince yourself you're too busy to slow down. It isn't worth that missed moment, that missed memory. Our dingy ride took us through the canals and back. We had a blast.

We spent the rest of our afternoon in and by the pool. I continued reading my first book for the trip, Win the Day. It is such a good read. If you haven't, check it out. Dinner consisted of yummy grilled tenderloin steak, homemade salad, and twice baked potatoes. What a super great day!

Wednesday | Captiva Island

Today's itinerary consisted of a boat journey (YAY) to Captiva Island in the gulf. We did go on another run this morning before indulging in our daily spread of fresh orange juice and a cup of coffee.

Our boat ride was a couple of hours. It was a couple of hours spent soaking in how beautiful God's creation is, the majestic wonder of sea creatures and the life they live, like dolphins. We had a family of dolphins come to play in our wake during our journey and it was amazing to experience. Ya'll, I truly thought I was at SeaWorld. They played in our wake doing the same things that they do in the dolphin show there. It was so neat.

Once we docked at Captiva, we enjoyed lunch on the boat via the club restaurant. I had the grouper sandwich. Parker had the reuben. Holy moly. Such yummy food. We enjoyed just sitting on the boat together, enjoying each other's company. Parker loves driving the boat, so he spends most of the time we're moving on the boat, inside, with the men, driving the boat.

Just across the street from our dock was a breathtaking beach with beautiful sand, shells, water, and views. We spent the rest of the afternoon laying, strolling, studying shells, and chatting on the beach, in the sand.

From there it was time to gather our items and begin our voyage back to Punta Gorda on the boat. Wednesday's are Performance Company days at the dance studio, so I had a blast joining rehearsal virtually via Zoom. Wow am I proud of them and their hard work, that's for darn sure.

We arrived back to the house and enjoyed Pizza delivery for dinner by the pool. Night swimming was another highlight of Wednesday evening.

Thursday | Shopping Day

It isn't uncommon, in fact, it's quite common for us to go shopping one of the days we are on vacation. In Punta Gorda, I personally love going to Anthony's to shop for clothes and Fisherman's Village to shop for themed merch and trinkets. There is a small, quaint coffee and ice cream shop there that we love as well. I ordered an iced toffee nut coffee with a splash of almond milk. Whew. My favorite drink from there, ever.

I did luck out at both Anthony's and Fisherman's Village this year. I snagged a cute swimsuit cover up and a pair of linen pants for under $30 at Anthony's. At Fisherman's Village, I stumbled upon a cute, trendy ribbed (think corduroy) crew neck sweatshirt that's oversized. It was under $50 which was made it the perfect snag and souvenir.

After shopping, we eagerly headed home to spend the afternoon and early evening in the pool together. What a blast.

Since it was our last night there, Aunt Jane and Uncle Bob took us out again! This time though we went to the "Redneck Riviera". How fun! I had blackened Mahi Mahi with yellow rice and fresh steamed mixed veggies. It was delicious and full of good solid nutrients.

Friday | "Go Home Day"

In the land of Pilot Wife Life, "Go home day" means, it is the last day of work so they get to go home. One may think of this as travel day. ;) We had an early wake up call, 3:30 am. We had a 45 min drive, had to return a rental car, and then get through security for our 6:30 am flight. I am so grateful for TSA Precheck. Ya'll, if you travel more than once in a blue moon, it's worth it. So worth it. If you are a stressed or anxious traveler, even more worth it.

Once we made it to CLT, we made an immediate dash toward Starbucks for a small breakfast and a big cup of coffee. Personally, I love Starbucks oatmeal, so that's what I had for breakfast along with an almondmilk latte with Blonde Espresso. So yummy.

We had quite a long wait in CLT before heading back home, so I had some fun creating, reading, and reflecting on a super great week. If you ever land yourself in the Charlotte Airport for a "long sit" (long layover), make the journey to the A Terminal and tuck yourself away. It is the most calm, peaceful place in the airport and truly a hidden gem.

All of that to say, our Spring Break Adventure was absolutely AMAZING! If you ever get the chance to, you must visit Punta Gorda, FL. You won't regret it!

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