CVG → PGD · July 21–26, 2026
Wade Family
Cape Coral
Adventure
Luke · Erin · Morgan
6 Days
1 Fanboat Ride
∞ Alligators
1 Sunday Mass
CVG → PGD · July 21–26, 2026
Luke · Erin · Morgan
Gulf Coast sun, Everglades wild, and a private pool waiting at the end of every day. Southwest Florida in July — exactly what a family summer should be.
Tue · Jul 21
Day One
Land at Punta Gorda, drive 45 minutes south to Cape Coral. Check into the waterfront rental. Pool time is mandatory. Dinner at Rumrunners on the Caloosahatchee — waterfront views, fresh seafood, Erin picks the table.
Wed · Jul 22
Day Two
Drive 35 minutes to Sanibel — world-famous shelling at Bowman's Beach in the morning. Afternoon at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a 6,400-acre mangrove estuary. Roseate spoonbills, alligators, osprey. Morgan earns expert status by sundown.
Thu · Jul 23
⭐ Highlight Day
Day Three
Leave Cape Coral by 7:30 AM. Drive south on US-41 (Tamiami Trail) to Everglades City — 1.5 hours. Private fanboat tour through mangrove tunnels with a fifth-generation local captain. Alligators. Real ones. Close. Back to the pool before the afternoon storms. This is the story Morgan tells for years.
Fri · Jul 24
Day Four
A protected barrier island between Estero and Big Carlos Pass. Kayak the back bays through the mangroves in the morning before the heat peaks, then transition to the white sand beach. Rent kayaks on-site. Bring lunch. Back to the rental by 3 PM.
Sat · Jul 25
Day Five
30 minutes from Cape Coral. Wide shoreline, gentle Gulf waves, beach bars, ice cream, and the Times Square boardwalk for shops and food. Go early, beat the storm, make it back for a final waterfront dinner in Cape Coral.
Sun · Jul 26
Day Six
7:30 AM Mass at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 2628 Del Prado Blvd. Drive 45 minutes north to Punta Gorda Airport. Fly home to CVG with a tan, a shell collection, and a story about a very large alligator.
July 21–26, 2026
The three of you. All that's left to do is pack sunscreen and say yes.