During a recent visit to Captiva Island, my husband and I checked out the local Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille.  The restaurant is owned by Randy Wayne White, an author who specializes crime fiction novels set in Southwest Florida. We sat at Doc Ford's bar and were served by Steve, who was not only an awesome bartender but… Keep Reading

It's time to give ourselves a little pat on the back for a job well done... We are excited to announce that for the 18th year in a row, we have earned the most esteemed award available to Grady-White Boat dealers - the Admiral’s Circle Award for the 2016 year. The Admiral’s Circle award is considered… Keep Reading

We really love shelling.  There's nothing we like more than getting that ache in the back from a long morning of doing the "shelling stoop" - you know, the bent over hunch you find yourself positioned in for hours as you obsessively scour through piles of shells that washed up at the shoreline.  Anna Maria Island is… Keep Reading

Since the flamingo is one of Florida's famous trademarks, visitors often think they will see them flying overhead here or prancing around our beaches.  Well, we hate to break it to you, but the only flamingoes you are probably going to see in the Sarasota area are at Jungle Gardens.  If you want to see Florida's… Keep Reading

If you are a sunset watcher, you have probably heard about "the green flash."  Not the super hero, but the little "flash" of green that appears just as the sun disappears behind the horizon. I have never really been a believer in the green flash. After growing up in Florida and watching hundreds of sunsets, I… Keep Reading

Get out your sparklers! Our waterfront communities are ready to celebrate the 4th of July in style with parades, fireworks and festivities!  Here is a list of all of the 4th of July celebrations going on in Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Sarasota and Bradenton. Anna Maria Island's 4th of July Parade for 2016 will take… Keep Reading

This past weekend, my family had our annual vacation in Homosassa, Florida.  All of the kiddos were obsessed with going crabbing (or "crabbin','" in local speak), using a line and dip net off the docks at Riverside Resort.  We always find that "crabbing" (catching crabs) is a fun way for kids to pass time in… Keep Reading

This one's for mom - who hated the sun but loved the beach. To all the moms out there who are just OVER tanning.  We all regret those bad decisions we made in our early years - slathering ourselves with baby oil and basking in the sun until we were fried like bacon.  Now we are much more… Keep Reading

Summer is just a few months away and we all know that summer is the best time to be out on the boat!  If you haven't got your new Grady-White yet, this just might be a GREAT time to do it. We are offering terrific savings towards the purchase of any new Grady-White Boat. NOW is the… Keep Reading