THE COLUMNS Vol. 28 No.14
Tara Woods Homeowners Association – www.twha.us
941-349-0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.islandvp.com
Cabbage Key Cruise on Tropic Star April 10, 2018 April 10th was a partly cloudy day with a nice breeze. Just perfect weather as we left the dock of Jug Creek with members of the Mid-Atlantic Club. The female crew suggested we hang on as the captain put the throttle of the Tropical Star to full speed. The boat was originally designed for an amusement park safari ride. It sped along at 6 knots (a slow running speed), on a calm day. There was plenty of time to take in some of the local history of the islands we passed by. We learned a 104-acre island known as Little Bokeelia Island, recently sold for $14.5 million down from the listed $24.5 million to a famous internet entrepreneur, Mark Pentecost, owner of “It Works”. The island is complete with a desalinization water supply and a 1920’s Spanish themed mansion built by battery inventor Burgess, who entertained Thomas Edison on the island. It is no surprise that it was also known as Burgess Island as well. Our first stop was Cayo Costa Park to drop off some day travelers that got to enjoy the 9 miles of pristine undeveloped beaches. We also picked up half a dozen people to enjoy the famous Cabbage Key Restaurant, open 365 days a year. We ordered lunch in the scenic open-air restaurant which had been featured in a National Geographic article as one of the 10 best places to visit in Fort Myers. It was easy to see why it was chosen. Some of our group ordered the “cheeseburger in paradise”, made famous by the song of the same name by Jimmy Buffet who once ate there. Thousands of signed dollar bills are taped to the walls and are donated to charity when they fall off. The Tropical Star returned to the dock to bring us back to the marina and our cars for the return to Tara Woods. It was a pleasant and fun day for all. Thanks to all the plans made by Barb Pollitt, president of the Mid-Atlantic Club. ~ Bill Beaulieu
June/July 2018