Everyone likes options…

But sometimes, the worst thing is just sitting home not knowing what to do, or where to go when you live in sunny Florida.

Here is a list of things going on around Gulf Harbour if you don’t already have plans on Saturday, March 23, 2013:

Children Discover Women Chefs
Bonita Springs Public Library
26876 Pine Avenue, Bonita Springs
1 p.m.
Celebrate Women Chefs for Women’s History Month. We will learn about women chefs and make crafts based on their foods. 239-479-4636

Florida International Air Show
Charlotte County Airport
28000 Airport Blvd, Punta Gorda
March 23-24 • 9 a.m.
Aerial stunts, high-speed military jets, and acrobatic pilots are some of the thrills you can expect during the 33rd Annual Florida International Air Show Gates open at 9 a.m. both Saturday & Sunday.
www.floridaairshow.com

Easter Egg Hunt – Horse Interaction Day
Saddlewood Horse Club
16111 Saddlewood Lane, Cape Coral
Saturday, March 23 • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Come out to a fun-filled day this month for our Easter Egg Hunt and Horse Interaction Day. Children 2 – 15 will be able to pet, groom, and feed horses, enjoy pony/horse riding in the COVERED riding arena, hop in the bounce house, munch lunch, create a horsey craft to take home, and have a blast with the live horse painting! A highlight is the Easter Egg Hunt with a treat bag for every reg. child. Snuggle bunnies will be there too. $20/child, lunch and all activities included. Please pre-register by phone or e-mail to reserve your spot. Pre-pay by credit card or cash at gate. 239-738-9300 or Fun@CapeHorses.com
www.CapeHorses.com

Croods Movie Release Kids Eat FREE Breakfast Buffet
Anthony’s on the Blvd
1303 Del Prado Blvd S Cape Coral
Saturday, March 23 • 9 a.m. – noon
Join us for Pre-HISTORIC Fun and Games.
Breakfast buffet with pancakes, French toast sticks, fruit, bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy, sausage and MORE! Kids eat free with each paid adult. Does not include child beverage. Adults $7.99 kids 10 & Under $4.99.
239-772-5900

Easter Bunny Photos
Bass Pro Shops, 10040 Gulf Center Dr., Fort Myers
(March 23 – 31) weekend 1 – 4 p.m. &
during the week from 6 – 8 p.m.
239-461-7800

Egg Hunt and Bunny Craft
Bass Pro Shops
10040 Gulf Center Dr., Fort Myers
(March 23-24) Hunt: 1-2 p.m. & Craft: 1 – 4 p.m.
For ages 2 – 10. 239-461-7800

Lowe’s Kid Clinic – The Croods: Piranhakeet Chomper
Lowe’s Home Improvement Store
Most local locations
10 a.m.
Bring your child to Lowe’s and they can build The Croods: Piranhakeet Chomper! Build on your kid’s
talent with regularly scheduled clinics designed just
for children. Build and Grow Clinics will teach your kids how to safely complete a variety of projects. www.lowesbuildandgrow.com

Easter Egg Hunt
Home Depot, 14655 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers
9 – 11 a.m.
Easter egg hunt, face painting and kids workshop
239-437-6333

India Fest 2103
Fort Myers High School
2635 Cortez Blvd., Fort Myers
11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
At this outdoor event, IAFM will provide the local
community with an opportunity to be exposed to all things Indian, including food, dance, music, handicrafts and clothing from various regions within India.
239-470-7024

Bunny Hopping Time (3-6 yrs)
Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Ct., Cape Coral,
9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
We will be playing games, doing crafts, dyeing eggs and going on an egg hunt. Children must be self-sufficient in restroom care. Child needs to bring a water bottle, snack and lunch. $15 Res/$23 Non-Res
Pre-registration is required. 239-574-0804.

EGGstravagnaza Night Swim
Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Pool.
5819 Driftwood Pkwy., Cape Coral
6 – 9 p.m.
Join us for our EGGstravaganza Late Night Swim at
The Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Pool. We will be having an Easter egg dive, water relays and other games throughout the night. Also meet “Peter Cotton Tail,” The Easter Bunny! Food and refreshments will be available for the public! The Easter egg swim will be available for the public! The Easter egg swim will be held at 7:30 p.m. 239-574-0806

Rotary BBQ & Family Fun Fest
Estero Park Recreation Center
9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero
Throughout the day
We will be featuring a mix of great live music; an array of Grillers, Ribbers and other vendors, serving fantastic samplings of all types of BBQ and food from around the area and beyond. There will be beer, wine, classic cars, rides and games for the kids; and lots of fun for the entire family. Bring your lawn chair and come enjoy the fun! 239-498-0415

10th Annual Celebrate Estero
Miromar Outlets, Estero
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join Miromar Outlets and the Estero Chamber of Commerce for games, activities, demonstrations,
displays and raffle drawings for the entire family.
239-948-3766

Providence Pony Pals Club
Providence Equestrian Center
13731 E Terry St., Bonita Springs
Saturdays • 8:30 a.m. -noon
A weekly program including riding instruction and
curriculum, horse care, crafts, and games that makes developing horsemanship fun! Beginner—Intermediate: Come as often as you like! Reservations Required. www.ProvidenceEquestrianCenter.com 239-948-7669

On Sunday, 24th:

Annual Spring Egg Hunt
Centennial Park
2000 West First Street, Fort Myers
10 a.m.
The City of Fort Myers Recreation Division, invites all children up to six years old to join us for the
ANNUAL SPRING EGG HUNT, on Sunday, March 24th at Centennial Park. 4000 eggs will cover
Centennial Park and a special visitor is expected!
Event begins at 10:00 am with FREE children’s activities including face painting, sidewalk chalk
area, bean bag toss and a pre-Egg Hunt warm up with “Mr. Gary”. Concessions will be available as
well as a photo opportunity with the Bunny.
The Egg Hunt begins promptly at 11 a.m. Children must be able to walk on their own; parents will not be able to assist them. There will be a drawing for special prizes following the egg hunt! Children should bring their own basket to collect the eggs. There is no registration or fee required. 239-321-7121

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I hope you have a great Florida day! Now get out and enjoy the day

On one of our recent Road Trips we visited one of our favorite get away’s in Florida. Mount Dora, and yes, as they may not be mountains, there are hills.

From Gulf Harbour we like to to take 75 North to exit 164 to 17, heading through the Arcadia area, known for their antique shops. Then 19 in the Winter Haven area toward 441 where you will see signs for 441 to Mount Dora, well-known for its charming tree-lined streets, shopping and for its historic inns, cottages and bed-and-breakfasts.

Frank and I like to go back in time and stay in the Historic Lakeside Inn right in the heart of the town at 100 N. Alexander St. The rooms are quaint & rustic with an a small bathroom but the charm of it is worth it as it just “takes you back to a quieter time”!

With 85 rooms, many have a lake views. Located in the main hotel, they offer fine dining and music in the bar. Rocking Chairs line the old porch of the Hotel where Frank and I have our morningcoffee.

Once famous as the Antique Capital, Mount Dora now boasts a wide variety of other gift & specialty shops, stores and boutiques as well as a Trolley and Train.

Mount Dora has many fabulous options for fine dining, however, our favorite and one of the main reasons we visit is the Goblin Market nestled on a quaint brick alley at 330 Dora Drawdy Way.

The charming bar is definitely worth the walk upstairs. It as well as the dining is a sophisticated fare in a relaxed, intimate setting.

As I’m re-thinking this trip, I’m ready to return again where life is just a little more laid back and brings back memories of bygone days!

Safe Travels!

Pat

Stop by the Manatee Park during the November through March as the Florida Manatees are best observed when they gather at the park in the colder months. There are observation for viewing the animals up close, but you can also hop into a kayak and paddle out to spot them. You can enjoy the park’s 16 acres in kayaks or on guided tours.

General admission to the park is free, but there are small fees for parking and kayak rental. After you’ve had your fill of wildlife, enjoy a picnic lunch on one of the many tables set up around the area.

Psssss, two little birds (pooches that is) told me there is a dog park at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Park.

Entrance is at 16760 Bass Road, just a few miles from Gulf Harbour Yacht, Golf and Country Club.

Did you know Wa-Ke Hatchee is a combination of Native American names “cow” and “water”?

A creek cuts through this 50 acre property and was an important watering hole for the old Florida Cowboys as the last source of fresh water for their cattle as they headed to PUnta Rassa for shipment by boat to Cuba.

Looking for something different to do? According to many Jungle Golf sits at the top of miniature golf courses in Ft. Myers, only minutes from Gulf Harbour Yacht, Golf and Country Club,
The environment of tiki huts, vicious plaster gorillas, flamingos and giraffes help create a jungle paradise.

18 holes of long greens, rocks and waterfalls and
Hilarious sexual inuendos at several of the holes but not to worry, kids will not even notice as they make their way through the jungle.

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen!