The Lion's Paw: Children's Book or Adult Dream about Sanibel & Freedom

Back in 1946, author Robb White came up with a brilliant idea for a book.

Titling it The Lions Paw, a lovely seashell found on Sanibel and Captiva and the name of the boat in the book, White wrote a story designed successfully to capture the imagination of every child from 9 to 90.

It wove together adventure, excitement, mystery, thrills, beauty and even a great deal of true to life descriptions of  boating.

While the two orphans in the story escape an orphanage to find freedom and love, the  young man they connect with is not so much fleeing as hanging on to the memories of his long lost father and the boat that belonged to him -----now in jeopardy of being sold.

Who could not be enchanted with a story of the sea, animals, friendships, a treasure hunt and an escape from some very nasty adults?

Apparently no would could escape the magic, and The Lion's Paw was a special  book for decades, read in schools and in the homes of millions of Americans. 

It had gone out of print, but now in its new edition,  it is gaining the popularity it once had, despite the fact that it was published so long ago.  And, quite honestly, much as it did in its original publication, there are probably as many adults caught up in the magic of this Florida tale as there are children enjoying it.

We have a strong hunch that the descriptions of our tropical islands and the entire sense of escaping reality are strong drivers in the popularity among adult readers.

The rousing dramas described as the boat gets tossed about in storms, as the two orphans find their sea legs and as the young boat captain out thinks and out maneuvers those hunting him down are crowd pleasers and page turners. 

And those of us who live on and work on these tropical escapes of Sanibel and Captiva totally relate to the desire to get away.  Though we may not be avoiding anything negative, the positive experience of being on a barrier island, away from it all, surrounded by turquoise seas and in the lap of mother nature with her creatures at beck and call is exhilarating.

We encourage all our vacation rental guests to pick up a copy of The Lion's Paw before they arrive.  It will only heighten their enjoyment of our beautiful islands!

Fodor's pick for 5 must do Activities on Sanibel Island

Once again, it is accolade time for Sanibel.

And when travel experts like Frommer and Fodor applaud our little island, we have to share the wealth.

We loved the article on Sanibel, and how could we not with an opening stating: Sanibel—an island situated in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Southwest Florida—is one of America's most precious vacation destinations.

We love the word precious, because it is exactly the word we would use to describe Sanibel, meaning of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly.

We do appreciate that the piece mentions one of the biggest distinctions between Sanibel and the rest of the state, indicating that , thanks to careful city planning, residents have effectively controlled development and encouraged the preservation of the island's ecology.  This has been so since passing the Sanibel Comprehensive Land Use Plan in 1974.

But most of all, we like the "activities" suggested in this article because the emphasis is on the natural enjoyments of the Island.

Rating highest on the list of "must do's" is seeing the island the slow and easy way, on a bike or a segway or even better, on your own two feet.  What ever method you choose to navigate will allow you a special view.

Also on the natural side, the suggestion to do the Sanibel stoop focuses attention on two of the highest values on the Island, the beach and the shells.  As a side suggestion, and a good one, is the mention of Sanibel's Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.  Though there are more shells on display than on the beaches themselves, it is impressive to know that over 250 kinds of shells can be found on the Island.

Another discovery possibility, and one that never every visitor is aware of , is the exploration of Tarpon Bay.  Tarpon Bay, on the north side of the island, is a fantastic place to spend the day. There's Tarpon Bay Beach and an expansive bay on which guests and residents alike can kayak, canoe, or enjoy by pontoon boat or standup paddleboard. Tarpon Bay Explorers is the licensed concessionaire at Tarpon Bay as well as the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. They rent fishing equipment, boats, and bikes. They also offer guided kayak and canoe tours plus breakfast, daytime, and evening cruises on covered pontoon boats.

Their final two recommendations are those probably best known and possibly best loved.  Ding Darling, by car, foot or bike, offers an undisputed incredible view of bird life and encompasses the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the country.  And, of course, the Center for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife is on the must list.  The CROW complex features a state-of-the-art hospital manned by veterinarians and volunteers. At CROW's Education Center, get in on interactive games like "Be the Vet," in which participants try to diagnose an animal's medical issue.

While we think there are many more must do's on Sanibel, we see this list as an excellent start!

More nice words on Sanibel: A compendium of compliments

We who live and work on Sanibel totally appreciate how unique a place it is.

And we realize our vacation rental guests recognize the value of all this topicality and nature in such a wonderfully convenient location.

But despite all this adulation, we must admit we do feel pleased when others , not quite so familiar, write glowingly about our island.

Recently we received international recognition with a BBC publication lauding the island as a sanctuary.  And just a few days ago, Sanibel was again applauded for being among the top ten best family beach vacations in the country by US News travel.

We wanted to share some of the lovely language used in the "penning" of these two pieces.

The BBC article lavished praise in great detail, much of it focused on the geographic and natural elements of the Island, distinguishing it from most other beaches in this sunshine state. " Amid Florida’s theme parks and overdeveloped beach fronts, a slow-paced, family friendly refuge cuts against all Sunshine State stereotypes. Sanibel Island, located in the Gulf Coast near the city of Fort Myers, is part hard-won watery nature reserve, part vigorously defended small town, where more than a century of careful design continues to pay dividends to its people and its wildlife."

And we could not agree more that despite its popularity and comfort, Sanibel's development has not significantly compromised its "islandy" feel .  "Because of the length of the beach and the set back and height restrictions on the resorts, much of the island feels secluded. Wildlife spills from the refuge, and it is common to see flocks of snowy egrets perched on lawns and several gopher tortoises crawling beside the heavily speed-restricted roads and numerous bike paths."

Similarly, the US News piece concentrates on what is different about Sanibel in its article ranking Sanibel 4 of 10 best family beaches in the USA.    According to US News ,  Sanibel is considered even more low-key, quiet and quaint than its Gulf Coast neighbor, Fort Myers.  " Casual is the order of the day on Sanibel Island; a shabby chic vibe permeates the galleries, restaurants and shops; seashells cover every sandy and linoleum surface. In fact, the abundant seashells have become this island's  claim to fame. You'll find plenty of beachcombers practicing the "Sanibel stoop" -- what locals call shelling -- on any lengthy stretch of sand. Plan on joining them for at least one afternoon of your stay; that is, if the mood strikes you. The residents of laid-back Sanibel wouldn't have it any other way."

And both publications are absolutely correct.

Sanibel fits no stereotypes. And we would not have it any other way!

What's in a Name (on Sanibel)? Bailey Legacy Will Live on in Many Ways.....

The obit was simply stated: "Francis P. Bailey, Jr., the remaining son of a pioneering Sanibel family that opened Bailey's General Store in 1899, died Saturday. He was 92."

But there was huge chunk of Sanibel history that was highlighted that day, June 8, as well.

Those who know and love the Island, are most familiar with the name of Bailey because of the supermarket established in his name, but the history of Sanibel was so tied into the life of Francis Bailey that a memory lane for the man is also one for the Island.

Bailey's  father moved to Sanibel at the age of 24, when land in our tropical paradise was only a few cents more than dirt-cheap. Though he was born only a few miles away in Ft. Myers, Francis Bailey was nearly a lifelong citizen of the island. Except for a few years in prep school, four years at Hampden-Sydney, and a stint in the Army, Bailey had lived his entire life on the island.

And he saw it in the best and worst of times.  Looking back, Bailey stated about his life on Sanibel:   “We had eight grades in one room, one teacher, one front door, one stove, one pencil sharpener, but we had two two-hole outhouses.”After the “snow birds” left Sanibel for the summer, the Baileys remained. Of course, there was no air conditioning and the hot, muggy weather was perfect for breeding mosquitoes “that were so thick you could take a quart can and swing it above your head and get a gallon of mosquitoes.”Escaping the mosquitoes was a constant struggle. Bailey says, “We had smudge pots and you always brushed off the screen door before we came in and were careful not to leave it open. Threaten to shoot the dog if he pushed it open. If you had to go some place in the evenin’, you’d get everybody all set together and run to the car and drive down the road with the doors open.”Despite being only a ferry ride away from Ft. Myers, Sanibel Island might as well have been on another planet. “We had no paved roads, no sidewalks, no drug store, no furniture store, no barber, no beauty shop, no movie theater. It was just here. Nobody felt deprived. That’s what we had.

Bailey’s General Store was along the shoreline where locals—and the many vacationers—disembarked from the ferry. A stop at Bailey’s store was one of the first things visitors would do, which proved to be relatively lucrative for the family. As the island grew, the store also grew. They enlarged it by closing in a porch. Later, the Baileys built a new Standard Oil station on the island along Periwinkle Way, which had become Sanibel’s main thoroughfare. The island, though only a few miles from Ft. Myers, was still remote and in a perpetual state of recovery from hurricanes.

Everything changed in 1963—on May 23 to be precise. That was the day the bridge connecting Sanibel to the mainland opened to traffic.

“At the time, Bailey said once in an interview, "I thought it would instantly change the island radically. It took two or three years for us to notice any big change. The island was growing—or regressing, depending on how you looked at it—anyway, but it was two or three years before we noticed any appreciable spurt. I think some of the real estate speculators started saying, ‘Hmm. It looks pretty good over there’.”

The beginning of the bridge was the end of the mail boat, which put Bailey’s General Store at the end of a dead-end road. Three years later, in 1966, the family moved the store to its current location on Periwinkle Way. The store also grew substantially. During the last 45 years, the store has evolved and now offers a wide variety of products, from baked goods and fresh vegetables to hammers.

Always something to C.R.O.W. about on Sanibel

As we say (repeatedly), Sanibel Island is a one of a kind.

The jewel in Florida's crown.

A unique spot on the map of America.

And, the home of one of the most impressive animal rehabilitation centers in the world.  Yes, the world!

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, better known as C.R.O.W. , is a major bragging point for our very special tiny tropical island.

C.R.O.W. treats 4,000 animals annually, and while their patients are quite properly not permitted visitors, its public education center is worth a look, especially if you were previously unaware that acupuncture can be employed to treat tortoises.

What it has accomplished in the way of education and rehabilitation is quite remarkable and has won the Center applause, accolades and awards from a great number of agencies over the years.

Most recently, it took first place in the Gulf Guardian Awards.

The Gulf of Mexico Program recently announced the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. (C.R.O.W) will receive a First Place 2013 Gulf Guardian Award in the Civic/ Non-Profit Organization Category. The awards ceremony will be held on June 26 at the Tampa Bay Grand Hyatt beginning at 6 p.m.

C.R.O.W has been caring for and rehabilitating sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, including many threatened and endangered species, through a conservation medicine approach to care. In addition, C.R.O.W. provides education to young people and adults that increases awareness of appropriate human/wildlife interaction and emphasizes the need for conservation of Southwest Florida's coastal wildlife habitats.

Since its establishment in 1968, C.R.O.W. has treated and released more than 60,000 wildlife patients. C.R.O.W. sees thousands of patients each year representing more than 200 species of mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians. Many of these animals are threatened or endangered including wood storks, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, least terns, gopher tortoises and loggerhead, Kemp's ridley and green sea turtles.

C.R.O.W. is the only gulf coast facility between Sarasota and the Florida Keys licensed to care for sea turtles.

C.R.O.W. takes a conservation medicine approach to wildlife rehabilitation with the ultimate goal being the reintroduction of wildlife into their natural habitats and a reduction of wildlife casualties from human interaction through public education.

We hope you will forgive us this bit of bragging, but having witnessed the survival stories year after year; we can't help but take enormous pride in this outstanding organization!

Pond Apple Park: A new attraction on Sanibel

As if having Ding Darling and the Bailey Tract was not enough room to roam in search for nature, Sanibel Island now has an additional preserve!

Pond Apple Park, despite its somewhat unusual name, is a 40 acre wild life preserve.  And the name really reflects the nature of the Preserve as it is filled with pond apples, a fruit favored by alligators. The fruit, when ripe,  is yellow to orange instead of white. The fruit is edible for humans and its taste is reminiscent of ripe Honeydew melon! 

The 1.6-mile loop trail of Pond Apple Park meanders through a pond apple slough, wetland marsh and West Indian hardwood hammock. The park is home to several rare and endangered species including bald eagles, wood storks, alligators, otters and bobcats. The trail is open year-round for hiking and biking during daylight hours.

Officially opened in 2011, it is a secret to many people, and one we may spoil with this post.

But for nature lovers, and many guests who frequent the Island are there for nature as much as for the beaches, it is one more great place to explore and enjoy, so we feel we need to get the word out.

The Pond Apple Park project, commenced July 2010, and was 100% grant funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009–2011 Forest Health Improvement Initiative Grant Program. A grant of $18,020 was provided to the City to establish four separate stands of native South Florida slash pine on City-owned lands known as Pond Apple Park and Paulsen Preserve.

In addition to pine trees, a variety of other native shade trees were planted along the trail at Pond Apple Park to provide shade for park visitors. In total, 487 trees were planted as a result of the project.

James Evans, Environmental Biologist with the City’s Natural Resources Department explained that funding provided by the Forest Health and Improvement Initiative Grant allowed the City to meet all of their project goals including: 1) establishing pine flatwoods at two city parks to provide critical wildlife habitat and to attract visitors to the parks; 2) stimulating the local economy by providing work for local contractors using a competitive bid process; and 3) reestablishing canopy nesting sites for bald eagles, which were impacted when Hurricane Charley destroyed the Australian pine canopy that previously provided nesting opportunities.

Citizens and visitors to Sanibel are encouraged to visit the City’s parks and enjoy the new habitats. The Pond Apple Park trailhead is located in the southwest corner of the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce parking lot. A 1.6 mile loop trail takes visitors through various habitats including tropical hardwood forest, pine flatwoods, wetland forest and open water habitats where they can observe wildlife in their native habitats including bobcats, alligators, wading birds, migratory songbirds and bald eagles.

As always, caution is suggested and staying away from the water is the safest way to avoid any contact with the resident alligators.

But if you feel you have seen everything Ding Darling and the Bailey tract has to offer, you might well consider a stroll through Pond Apple!

Calling for comments on the Best KeyLime Pie on Sanibel!

No doubt about it.

Key Lime Pie is iconic of Florida.

Every town, city and suburb has at least one place that boasts the best Key Lime Pie in Florida.

And we have tasted many selections.

They have varied from the super good to the mediocre.

And the differences are quite discernible.

There are Key Lime Pies that are tart, Key Lime Pies that are sweet, Key Lime Pies that have the consistency of cheese cake and Key Lime Pies that have the texture of jello.

So, to be honest, choosing the best Key Lime Pie on Sanibel Island is very contingent on your expectations and tastes.  They are all special in their own way.

We would like to point out some of our favorites in this blog post, but also invite you to comment with your reactions and suggestions.  We hope you will view this post as interactive, and the more people who chime in, the better sense we will have of where to go for the Island's best.

Cip's Key Lime Pie has got to be in the top considerations.  In fact, all Cip's desserts rate five stars! Their Key Lime Pie and the Whiskey Walnut Pie are must try’s, but be prepared to share, serving portions are ample for two.  Cip's pie is definitely tart, but of a thicker consistency than others on the Island.  If that is to your liking, you will probably love Cip's!

The Sanibel Grill has great key lime pie. Doc Ford's is not as tangy but has great flavor and texture.  We also  also like the key lime pie and BEST key lime martini at Jacaranda.

We also have to admit that Key Lime Pie with a view is better than Key Lime Pie without a view.  And on that level, we thoroughly enjoy the Key Lime Pie at Grandma Dot's where the boats and waterways totally enhance the taste of the food.  In addition, Grandma Dot's Key Lime Pie has a very distinctive taste as it has ginger snaps for a crust.  You can ask for your whipped creme on the pie or on the side, so we suggest an on the side allowing you to taste and savor the flavor before adding on the extra sweetness.

Sanibel Cafe  used to serve a classic key lime pie, the filling had the perfect fragile set and was very creamy, but not at all dense. The filling was maybe 3/4" thick only - which is exactly what it's supposed to be.

Trader's is next closest to the classic filling.

Timber's and Grandma Dot's are similar to each other but the filling is a cross between a classic and cheesecake style.

Those are our top picks, but we would love to hear from you!