Before 2022’s Big Southern Loop trip, I made a quick jaunt to Fort Myers, Florida in late January. Little did I know that I would be one of the last visitors to a very special nature habitat before it literally blew away.
It was just my luck that I chose to visit my girlfriend Adrienne on the chilliest weekend of the Fort Myers winter of 2022. Brrrrrr. Thank goodness neither of us are beach bums. We lasted about 15 minutes on the beautiful sand before the bitter cold wind chased us back into our car.
Being in central Florida on such a cold weekend did however have its perks: no crowds, no traffic, no lines.
Adrienne suggested we cross over the causeway to take a drive on barrier island Sanibel, just 25 minutes from Fort Myers. She said the usual backup to get onto the island can go for miles, but that day, thanks to the “polar vortex”, we zipped right over the causeway connecting the mainland to the small barrier island.
At the time, Sanibel Island was filled with colorful homes, and dozens of cute looking shops. We stopped in for a peek at Sanibel’s main tourist destination - the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Center.
With the sun streaming, we walked the myriad of trails within the refuge admiring the fauna and water features (the chilly temps seemingly kept much of the bird habitat out of sight that day). I hoped to return again when the weather wasn’t so Arctic-like.
Then disaster struck on Sept 28, 2022. Hurricane Ian made landfall at Fort Myers as a category 4 storm leaving complete devastation in its path.
Including the J N “Ding” Darling Nature Center.
Since the storm, the nature preserve is still in the process of rebuilding but the welcome center and wildlife drive are open, along with its apparent “award winning bathrooms” (I never knew bathrooms received awards).
I’m so glad to know that the Darling Nature Center is well on its way to returning to as special a place as it felt in January 2022. I highly recommend you visit Sanibel, “Ding” Darling, and Fort Myers beaches.
Travelers Tip: Unfortunately even Florida experiences cold weather occasionally in the winter months. Besides your swimsuit, be sure to take along a few layers —-just in case.
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