Blogs

This weekend is the sandcastle sculpting contest at Ft. Myers Beach. Just in front of the Holiday Inn and all the way down to the Outrigger Hotel on that big wide stretch of beach. The sculptors come from all over and it is well worth it to fight the traffic to go see what is going on.

The kids love it. Each sculpture is judged and there are some fantastic ones! You wonder how they get all that stuff to stick together! The sandcastles run through Sunday.

While I was down there I stopped across the street at Santini Plaza and went into The Lion's Den. This is a definite stop for all you tourists that forgot something as they carry almost everything for the beach and then some. Big thirsty beach towels, bathing suits and shorts for men and the woman's bathing suits were 50% off. I found some cute ones on that rack. There were beach cover-ups and beach dresses, long $22.99, short $20.99. Hats, caps, visors and flip flops. Even has small eyeglass visors that slipped over the temples for $3.99. Really cute tee shirts with rhinestone palms or flips on them for $24.99. Shorts and tropical shirts for the men, fish shirts by Lido at $39.99. Don't forget the sun tan lotion! They carry Panama Jack. Beach bags and hand made purses.

There were rubber rafts, skim boards, huge sand pails, bags for shells,personalized beach mugs on sale for $3. And if it gets cool...hoodies for everyone! Beach mats, and sun glasses.

There were a lot of personalized things, coasters, notes, buy one get one, stationery $4.99, magnetic book marks $1.99, even shot glasses! There were can koolies $3.99 and bottle koolies $6.99. Kites are always fun, especially on these windy days we have been having, only $5.99 I found a whole assortment of souvenirs too. Beach days sticker books that were personalized for the little ones. What kid wouldn't want an alligator head for $14.99, I wonder how many of those I have bought over the years! All kinds of things made of seashells from little boxes, jewelry, to picture frames. Caribbean Chocolates or Coconut Patties $5.99. Sun catchers and wind chimes $9.99. I liked the hand carved beach birds at $17.99. There were decals that looked liked etched glass for your sliders at $10.99. Tuck one of these into your beach bag, Seashore and wading bird books. Or Sanibel Stories or Portion of The Sea for easy beach reading.

There were lots of greeting cards and post cards and just on you way out I spotted tiny silver earrings of starfish, flamingos or alligators for $2.50. There are all kinds of forgotten treasures in this store! The Lion's Den is

located in Santini Marina Plaza, 7205 Estero Blvd.. Suite 727 on Ft. Myers Beach. Their hours are 10-6 every day and 10-8 in season.

Enjoy the sandcastles!