Winter 2017 Events on Sanibel Island

If you're spending time on Sanibel this winter, here are a few events you can take advantage of. 

First is the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) Speaker Series. These hour-long lectures occur about once a week through the end of April at the CROW Visitor Education Center. Some topics this year include talks on wildlife photography, the secret life of sand dollars, and other island wildlife like manatee and ospreys.

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife

Did you know the "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has many educational tours and programs? Take a beach walk, learn about endangered species or take a bird and wildlife tour. These programs are completely free, although there may be parking or entrance fees. They run through Easter, but I should point out the society also runs an abbreviated schedule during the summer. Check out their website for more details.

Finally, the Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum conduct daily beach walks with a marine biologist. The walks leave at 9am from the lobby of the Island Inn, just a half-mile down West Gulf Drive from our condo. The cost is $10 for adults and $7 for children, but each participant will receive a 50% off coupon for the Shell Museum. Reservations are required. 

Shell Museum beach walk

If you attend any of these activities, let us know what you thought about it!

Traders

We went to Traders for lunch on November 1, 2016.  It was not busy and we were seated at a nice table near a window.  The restaurant has a nice atmosphere and our wait person was extremely helpful telling us about the menu and specials.  I do not remember her name but she is from PA.

For an appetizer we both chose soup.  I picked the Sun dried tomato basil bisque.  It was fabulous!  Very very good.  Jeff had the Fresh Florida gumbo which he really liked a lot as well.  I did not like this one as much maybe because there was rice in it.

Sun dried tomato basil bisque

Fresh Florida gumbo

For our main courses we had the Crab and spinach quiche which was one of the specials of the day.  I liked it a lot..... very flavorful.  Jeff had the Blackened grouper tacos with black beans.  The tacos had a nice spice which he enjoyed.

Crab, spinach quiche

Blackened grouper tacos with black beans

We were full after this meal so decided to pass on the desserts.  One more fun fact about Traders is that they have a VERY nice unique gift shop attached.  There were several items I was interested in purchasing as the holidays are right around the corner!  We will be back to Traders for sure.

Gramma Dots

We have wanted to try Gramma Dots for a long time and finally had the opportunity to eat lunch there.  It was a beautiful late October afternoon at the Sanibel Marina, where Gramma Dots is located.  We were able to comfortably sit outside and enjoy the marina.

We started by ordering the Sampler Platter as our appetizer.  It had large coconut shrimp, Crab Meatballs, and Fried Oysters.  They came with 3 different dipping sauces.  We both loved all three choices.  I especially enjoyed the Crab Meatballs.  They reminded me of a crab cake, just shaped like a meatball.

For our entrees we ordered the Blackened Mahi Mahi Sandwich and the Coconut Curried Lobster Salad.  I thought the sandwich was rather bland and wished I had ordered the Grouper Sandwich.  The chips were very good though.  

Blackened Mahi Mahi Sandwich

The Lobster Salad was similar to a chicken salad you could put on a roll.  It came with a roll so that was what we did.  It says "curried" but there was no heat to it al all.  It had a good taste but not spicy like we expected.  The fresh fruit was good.

Coconut Curried Lobster Salad

Last but not least, we ordered the Key Lime Pie to go.  We love Key Lime Pie and this one did not disappoint!  VERY good!  I would go back to Gramma Dots just for that!