Beach Vacation 4 Me

Beach Vacation 4 Me
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year! For me it’s that time of year to turn over a new leaf. Eat
healthy, work out more and learn how to relax. This is where I can help
you. Why not think about relaxing on two of the most fabulous barrier islands in Southwest Florida? Isn’t this a fitting time for you to put North Captiva or Boca Grande on your list of places to go or return to in 2012. I am
here to help.
Beach Vacations
4 Me LLC
Sarah Rapp
January 2012
Many of you spent the holidays in Florida and your reports to me were that
you experienced some of the nicest weather yet. Most days were in the
80’s. It’s no wonder Florida is called the sunshine state.
My newest college graduate has relocated to Naples Florida where she is
happily employed and supplies me with the daily weather. Typically she reports about sunshine and walks on the beach in her free time. She did
make it home to Ohio for the holiday and quickly remembered she needed
her Ugg boots to survive. My son who is a junior at Elon University in North
Carolina also traveled home. I was happy just having my family together.
Contact Information
This newsletter features a great deal of information about new homes,
changes homeowners have made, experiences folks have shared and
some new ideas you can incorporate in your plans.
 www.beachvacation4me.com
I have loved your letters, emails, and the stories you have shared about
your experience on your vacation. The pictures are probably my favorite
and yes….that was the biggest fish I have ever seen! Your feedback is
what I consider a gift. It only makes us better. As I say to each of you, my
goal is that you have a great vacation.
Here’s to a fresh new year full of lots of adventures ahead. Remember I am
here to be your travel coach. Your trip is about you and what you want it to
be. Whether it’s a quick trip or an extended stay, I can help.
So grab your flip flops and don’t forget your sunscreen, let’s go to the
beach.
Sarah Rapp
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
 Phone 866-587-3200
 Mobile 740-334-8840
Inside this issue:
Tarpon Tales
2
Watercolors
2
Shore Lane
3
Mangroves
3
Local Author
3
Owner updates
4
Rapp it Up
4
Sarah Rapp
Page 2
Tarpon Season Is Here – Reserve the Tarpon Tales – 2013 – The Boca Grande Gem
The time is now to secure your reservation at the Tarpon Tales. This grand home is a
Boca Grande gem featuring 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, pool, hot tub, breathtaking
views, sleeps 14 in beds…..need I say more. Our 2012 season was a sell out. We
hate turning folks away. To reserve, a $500.0 deposit is required. Eight weeks prior
to arrival the remaining balance is due. The time is now to reserve your week at the
Tarpon Tales for 2013 on Boca Grande.
Watercolors Cottage – Formerly Island Time I – New Owners – Beachfront with dock!
Fabulous beachfront home has a private dock, private beach, and screened-in
porch overlooking the water. Watch the dolphin go by and see the tarpon jumping in the sun. If you like to fish, this dock is the premier spot on the island, adjacent to Captiva Pass.
This old-style Florida home has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a queen-size
pull-out sofa bed in the living room. The master bedroom has a king-size bed
with a private bath, and the second bedroom has two twin beds. Large-screen
high def television with satellite and Blu-ray, complimentary wireless internet,
fully equipped kitchen, gas grill outside, and of course, the hammock in which everyone falls asleep the minute he or
she lies down. Watercolors Cottage has new owners and all new furniture and beds. If you’ve rented here before, come
back! We’ve added to the comforts but taken none of the character of this perfect Florida home.
Shore Lane Beach House – A Beachfront Boca Grande Classic
I am very excited to introduce you to the Shore Lane Beach House. Spacious,
airy and jaw dropping views are here!!! Shore Lane features hardwood
floors, eat in kitchen with double oven for those who love to cook, dining room,
and garage and will sleep up to 12 people. Located in a quiet neighborhood, privacy and seclusion awaits. No need to worry about bikes, beach chairs or beach
towels. They are here at the house so you can start your relaxing week on Boca
Grande. This is truly an island classic home!!!
Make Your Reservations Now!
For guests who are traveling to North Captiva, booking your reservations for your water taxi, dinner reservations at the
Boat House, Just For Fun Boat excursions, boat rentals, jet ski tours, fishing charters, etc. the time is now to nail down
your reservation. If you want a particular time and don’t want to miss out on something, I say schedule it NOW!
Let’s give credit where credit is Due — Spectacular Photography
When I think of North Captiva, there are several photos that come to mind. One of my favorites is of the Fish House
which is located when you enter the harbor of North Captiva. This particular photo of the Fish House was taken by a
very talented photographer, Rene Herteux. Rene’s work is just spectacular. Make sure to visit the website http://www.
focusingonnature.com/Best-of-Southwest-Florida you will find some absolutely breathtaking photography on this
site. Thanks Rene for your special photos!!
Sarah Rapp
Page 3
Boca Grande Community Center
Even though we have featured the Boca Grande Community Center in previous newsletters, this is one fanatastic secret place on Boca Grande. They
offer occasional movie nights, Spaghetti Dinners, 5K run on February 26th,
Bridge lessons, March 17th Bike Path Parade, and so much more. If you are
on Boca Grande….stop by and check it out. The Web site is www.
bocagrandehappenings.org for information on the week you are there.
There is a great calendar with events.
Florida Mangroves
Mangroves are tropical plants that are adapted to loose, wet soils, salt water,
and being periodically submerged by tides.
Four major factors appear to limit the distribution of mangroves: climate, salt
water, tidal fluctuation and soil type.
There are more than 50 species of mangroves found throughout the world.
Three species of mangroves are native to Florida: Red mangrove (Rhizophora
mangle), Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) and White mangrove
(Laguncularia racemosa).
MANGROVE FUNCTIONS AND VALUES:
 Mangroves trap and cycle various organic materials, chemical elements, and important nutrients in the
coastal ecosystem.
 Mangroves provide one of the basic food chain resources for marine organisms.
 Mangroves provide physical habitat and nursery grounds for a wide variety of marine organisms, many
of which have important recreational or commercial value.
 Mangroves serve as roosting and nesting sites for many of our birds.
 Mangroves serve as storm buffers by reducing wind and wave action in shallow shoreline areas.
 Mangroves assist in protecting water quality and clarity by filtering runoff and trapping sediments and
debris from adjacent uplands.
 Through a combination of the above functions, mangroves contribute significantly to the economy of
many coastal counties of Florida and the State of Florida.
Local Author of Interest
My husband has been reading books by Randy Wayne White over the last year. Randy is a New York
Times best-selling author whose novel, Sanibel Flats, was chosen by the American Independent Mystery
Booksellers Association as one of the Hundred Favorite Mysteries of the 20th Century, and he was named a
“Florida Literary Legend” in 2011 by the Florida Heritage Book Festival. Most of his books use local landmarks and he has developed some characters that are in most of the novels. Randy’s novels featuring marine biologist Doc Ford and quirky pal, Tomlinson, have enjoyed a growing cult following since the first
book appeared in 1990. Randy was a light-tackle fishing guide at Tarpon Bay Marina, Sanibel Island for 13years, did more than 3,000 charters, and draws heavily on those experiences for his novels about Dr. Marion
Ford and friends at Dinkin’s Bay. Mike has started with the first book Sanibel Flats and is working his way
through them. So if you want a good read, try one of Randys’ books for your trip to Southwest Florida.
Sarah Rapp
Page 4
Owner Updates
I have the great opportunity to work with many wonderful homeowners. They work hands on at keeping their properties up to date. Some changes in their properties are listed below. I know you are going to find the updates spectacular.
The Conch House – North Captiva (from the owner)
Come stay at the new and improved Conch House, our renovations will have you relaxing in style. New features were
selected and added to give the Conch House a more "upscale cottage" feel. We wanted to give our guests somewhere to
eat and enjoy the outside; so a new covered dining deck for 8 was added on the main level. Now you can dine outside
and enjoy the sounds of surf while being protecting from any unwanted pests. On the opposite side a new grill is located on the same level, so you won’t have to run up and downstairs to check dinner. The 3rd level deck off the master
bedroom you'll find a new Jacuzzi tub for 4, and plantation style shutters inside for added privacy. Every window in the
house now has shutters, in case you want to keep the day light out just a little longer and sleep in....no worries you're on
vacation, its ok! Fresh sheets and linens, cookware, wine glasses, plates, and a new 42 Led TV upstairs are just some of
the noticeable upgrades inside. We also added a high end ipod stereo in the living room and switched over to Direct TV
HD with ALL of the premium channels in case of a rainy day. Talk about the improvement in picture quality, wow!
Speaking of TVs there's a new 42' HD downstairs right off of the pool deck, by the brand new outdoor kitchen and bar!
Now the big game can be on and enjoyed while the kids are swimming in the pool! Downstairs we went for a tropical
tiki hut feel (think lots of bamboo and wood), where you'll find new patio furniture, outdoor fridge and a new icemaker!
When the day is winding down and you want to catch the sunset- head up to our new view deck via the double spiral
stairs, grab an Adirondack chair and relax. Tthe views are incredible! In fact you can see water on both sides of the island, even though your only two back from the beach! We hope you enjoy the new additions and have a very relaxing
stay on the island. The new and improved Conch House is sure to impress. Our goal was to incorporate more of the outdoors in, and vise versa. If you've stayed here before, the house will have a whole new feel to it. If you have not- then
what are you waiting for?!
Tropic Ten – Boca Grande
A 50 inch flat screen TV was added to the living room. Bedding changes now feature two masters (one with a king)
and the other with two twins which can be made into a king prior to your arrival. The third bedroom now features two
sets of bunk beds with new flat screen TV, DVD and Xbox game system. In addition the owner has purchased new
bikes, linen and restocked the kitchen. The Tropic Ten is a spacious beachfront villa that will comfortably sleep 8 in
beds. Ideal of two families.
Lazy Dolphin – North Captiva
Along with painting, power washing and other sprucing up for season, the owner of the Lazy Dolphin reports they have
added new bikes, beach chairs, 50 inch flat screen TV in the living room as well as 26 inch flat screen TV’s in both
master bedrooms. This popular vacation rental sits 100 feet from the gulf and will accommodate parties of ten.
A Picture is worth a thousand words
Let’ Rapp It Up!
Our “Rapp Up” features some of the many services that are now offered on North Captiva Island. If you need more
information on the providers, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail our office.
Island Massage – Pam West, Registered Nurse/Massage Therapist is a resident of North Captiva Island. Pam can be
reached on her cell at 239-910-1011. Appointments are required.
Grocery Delivery/stock your rental – Sandie’s grocery service. 800-576-7343. This is the ultimate luxury to arrive
at your vacation rental and the refrigerator is stocked and ready to roll.
Babysitting – Two mature island residents are available to babysit you can have a dinner out without the children. Call
us for contact information.
Family photos – we wrote about this in our last newsletter and many of our holiday guests had family photos
done. Call Matias at www.boatsandfun.com
Golf Cart Rental – look no further, reservations are accepted and recommended. Bob’s Island Adventures http://
www.bobsislandadventures.com
Let’s not forget fishing, jet ski tours, boat rentals, fresh fish delivery from Andy’s seafood and more. If we don’t know
about it, we will research it for you. Our list of providers keeps growing and we feel lucky to have such great folks
making our island better!