come back for ski fest, july 17th, Lovers key
I just got back from “Lovers Key Resort”, home of SWFSSF 2009. Talking with the management there I was happy to hear, even with the economy the way it is, that we have 50 rooms booked to date. They informed me that there are still 5 to 7 left “in our block” for our group at our rate. It was brought up about room rates, remember, the higher you go, floor wise in the Resort, the higher the price is. You’re paying for the view! If you feel your rate is high, try calling back and requesting a low, low floor. For those of us staying 4 nights. Were getting our 4th night free. Those of you staying for only 3, you get a 4th also, so take and extra day off (you deserve it) and stay another night on Lovers Key, it free. Those doing the 2-day, get with the program and stay with the rest of us, the 4th day is free. This is a great way to BLOW OFF STEAM due to uncontrollable circumstances.
We’ve been promised that the Lovers Key state park boat ramp will be open by July 1. Otherwise we’ll need someone to bring a ski dolly to launch the skis right from their parking lot. There is another smaller state ramp 2 miles down the road if needed.
Due to the economy being what it is here is a synopsis of our schedule of guided tours and rides. EACH DAY, basically we are on the water out in front of the resort, NOT IN THE BOATING CHANNEL, by 9am. READY TO RIDE! This doesn’t mean filling your tank with gas then, or running around looking for supplies, please. We’ll ride for a few hours either out into the Gulf of Mexico up to Sanibel, Ft Myers beach, down to Naples or we will go trail blazing back into the unknown led by our fearless leader TODD, all bowl to the MANGROVE KING!!!! THE TIDES AND TODD WILL DETERMINE WHERE WE ARE HEADING.
This will be repeated again after lunch, lets say around 1:30 ish, so gas up before you eat. There are NO gas pumps at the resort. The best thing to do is to bring portable gas cans with you and fill them up in the evening after returning from the afternoon ride. There is a 7-11 store/gas station 2 miles up the road from Lovers Key; prices are usually good there, a lot lower than expected for being on the island. There are a few marina’s within a couple of miles of the resort but they will get you with prices and the long idle zones to get to them stink.
THERE WILL BE MINI TOURS going out at various times, either while we are waiting for stragglers for the main runs or in the late afternoon after we return from our long ride. There are various clubs that will be attending and sometimes do a run of their own so do not be hesitant to mingle and ask to go along.
Most of us DO leave out skis in the water, either anchored a few feet off shore, or we pull them up on to the beach and lock them together for the night. There will be fresh water hoses supped for us to flush our skis at the resort. Bring your anchors, maybe 2, or one really big one. The current can get really strong right there with the tides changing. The tide can vary by a couple of feet so if you beach your ski at low tide, an hour later it could be floating away with the incoming tide. It has happened a few times over the years. Last year one ski had floated out a hundred yards before anyone claimed it and swam out to retrieve it. Dad, made his son swim since the son was the last to use it.
Now again, the Resort has a great casual restaurant on the property, which has really good food and drink, Bay and pool front. Evenings usually have JEFF playing the guitar and singing some tunes, he is good. I think the food and bar closes around 9:30 ish. So bring some beverages with you to join everyone around the pool after closing. Got an I-pod and speakers, bring it along for the pool party at night.
NO GLASS, NO GLASS, NO GLASS, did I mention NO GLASS? Please cans and plastic only around the pool. All rooms have refrigerators along with full kitchens, small but will do. Please respect the Resorts property and do not launch your ski from their parking lot without their permission, only if the ramp is closed.
If anyone has some thoughts or info, stuff I haven’t posted yet, please post it.
MORE TO COME AS WE THINK OF IT…. ANY QUESTIONS YET? E-mail me at
Floridasun@me.com thank you, TJ
Pictures of last year’s event…
http://gallery.mac.com/tjstrain#100008 http://tampabayjetskiclub.com/galler...2_itemId=19146 http://tampabayjetskiclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=11.0
if your new to our event, just copy and paste the above link and read all about last years FUN. Great Club, great people!
If your thinking of attending and need more info, please just GOOGLE "southwest florida summer ski fest” we have been doing this every year since 2001. There are tons of posts from years past. Thanks, TJ
Parking when you get there. Please the early birds who park in the grass lot on the left, right before the main building, please do not park close to the road, you will be blocking everyone else coming in that needs to park in that field. Usually you caravan with other trucks and trailers. Try to park in front of one another if you need to get in and out of that lot. Coordinate with your travel friends to maximize parking. Usually there is a load of vehicles with the trailers attached parking right off of the road. It is very hard to get around you for the other drivers. If you are there for a few days and your leaving your skis in the water. Please detach your trailers, lock them to the bushes or each other in the back of the field towards the garage. And then park your vehicle in the regular parking lot by the building. If I remember correctly, we were able to park trailers in the back paved lot last year also. I’ll check on that for this year. Like last year they probably will have someone out there directing traffic a few of the days. Thanks, TJ
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7...D550/ry%3D400/ 
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