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As the bird population begin their journey north and west to their Spring and Summer Homes so do the Solivita Florida Snowbirds. We had an isolated winter due to COVID-19, but it was still a good winter. The sunshine kept us going, our lovely weather allowed for lots of quiet walks, cooking, and dining outside in the peace of our community. We enjoyed a swim early in the morning and late in the day when the pools were quiet, we took lots of rides on our bikes and in our golf carts, and now hope has arrived in the form of an amazing vaccine. Freedom is once again possible and with it comes many new opportunities for each of us to get out an explore and enjoy friends and family. Time to start Planning your next adventure in Florida. Our next Florida Adventure is to the Naples Botanical Gardens. This is the perfect time of the year to enjoy the gardens, the living plant collections are continually evolving and this beautiful 170 acre preserve features succulents, water plants, Asian and Brazilian plants and an orchid boardwalk. If you have your children with you, visit the children’s garden, it offers an interactive experience for children with colorful vegetables, blooming flowers, and butterflies. Lots to do and enjoy in the Naples, Florida area. If the gardens are not your thing, then head to the beach, Naples is the home of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park or to Clam Pass Park, both spots have nice beaches and are naturally beautiful. You will probably even get to see dolphins swimming in the water. Lots of facilities, parking, bathrooms, beach rentals, and picnic spots. The water is clear and calm. If you choose Clam Pass Park, you will enjoy a tram ride through the mangrove forest to get to the beach. It is a pretty drive to a lovely beach, either of these spots are nice places to spend the morning or afternoon surrounded by the natural beauty of Florida.

Naples has some nice places to stay and some great places to enjoy a meal or two. Our day at the beach inspired us to enjoy a “Down the Shore” Dinner on our lanai.

Recipe for our Shore Shrimp Boil Dinner. Easy, tasty and a great option for a hearty meal that will feed a hungry beach crowd.

Take out your big Lobster Pot and combine the following ingredients.
4 Cups Tomato Juice
4 Bay Leaves
2 Lemons Halved and Sliced
1 Orange Halved and Sliced
¾ Cup Old Bay Seasoning
¼ cup salt
2 Pounds of fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise
Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are almost tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

Add:

6 Ears of Corn, shucked and cut into 2” pieces
1 Pound of Smoked Sausage (andouille or kielbasa) thinly sliced
4 Pounds of Medium size, whole head on shrimp.

Cook until the shrimp is bright pink, and tails are curled, 3 to 5 minutes. If you have a perforated steamer basket before you start the cooking process insert it in your pot and cook within the basket. If not, no worries, just use a spider cooking utensil to remove and serve dinner. Put some newspaper on your picnic table, hand out the paper towels, slice some fresh lemons, add some chopped parsley and you will have the perfect beach meal.