In Summer Punta Gorda and Smaller SW Florida Towns are Great to Explore

Captiva is more approachable in summer though they still get their share of summer vacationers.  

In this morning's Punta Gorda Herald John Wright of the Chamber made a good point... yes he does frequently make good points.   We all know by now -- those of us who live here through the summer months that is, that our businesses need our support off season.   But John had an interesting spin on it. Small communities like Punta Gorda need more support than the metro areas near by because when the summer arrives larger cities become magnets for Floridians who may stay away when the tourists and winter residents crowd their restaurants and shops.

He suggested that we not only support our local town but other smaller communities nearby and that they reciprocate.  Following this notion, I will off and on over the coming months write  posts about our smaller community neighbors -- typically I restrict myself to Punta Gorda metro, but following the suggestion I will be a good small town neighbor too.  There are lots to choose from -- Arcadia, Boca Grande, Englewood, Placida, Pine Island and Matlacha, a little further -- Venice, etc -- and closer to home Port Charlotte.  We tend to explore more in the summer because, as Punta Gorda does, Florida towns and communities just have more charm on those days when the sun sits higher in the sky at noon and sunsets sprawl into majestic reds, oranges and purples and there's lots less people around to crowd the view.  That aside, it's also easier to get a seat at the bar and enjoy casual conversations with locals.

So get on out this summer, support the Punta Gorda restaurants you love so they will continue to be there -- come on most of them are offering unbelievable deals that the bigger cities don't have to bother with. And do as suggested visit some of the other close by towns -- and if you have a great experience somewhere tell us about it so we can try it out too.