Winter Get-Away and J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR – FL
March 20, 2021Dick and Jan invited us to share their rented house in Port Charlotte for a week in March. We had a 2.25hr direct flight from Dayton to Punta Gorda, checked out the house, and were on Englewood Beach on Manasota Key that afternoon.
The next day we attended the All Florida Rodeo Championships in Arcadia and then set our sights on the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. The 80 degree weather, EVERDAY, was wonderful!
We did a 4-mile loop starting on Wildlife Drive and then returning on the Cross Dike and Indigo Trails. Jan and I hiked, while Helen and Dick biked.
Wildlife Drive
Osprey Nest
Mangrove Boardwalk
Horseshoe Crabs
Biker Chick
Gator
Sanibel Islands Lighthouse
St Patty’s Day
2.2-Mile Punta Gorda Harbor Walk – followed by a quart of Hershey’s Cold-Brewed Caramocha Ice Cream!
Cincinnati OH and Ohio River on return flight
The Martin's Blog 
I really appreciate your classification system for the state highpoints. I think it is very useful. I am intrigued by your webpage where you state that you have climbed “49.8” of the 50 state highpoints. Could you share the story behind the “0.8” part? What mountain and where/why did you turn around? Thanks much!