Friday, May 28, 2010

Turtle Tracks

May 28, 2010 86/74 degrees moon - full

This morning I saw my first set of turtle tracks on the beach. Sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1 to October 31 each year, and is truly a magnificent thing to observe. I know there have been many nesting mothers up on the beach already this season, but I get up so early that it is still pitch dark when I take Sierra (dog) for her first walk of the morning. By the time our mid day walk rolls around the tracks have been covered up by happy beach walkers.

Our local beaches are exceptionally active nesting beaches with green turtles, and the very rare logger head and leather back turtles choosing to trust the future of their species to our sand. All sea turtles are protected by both state and federal laws. These gentle dinosaurs have struggled to survive as more development has impacted their nesting beaches and more fishing and pollution has impacted their water. It is especially important that the nests on our beach hatch successfully with the beaches in the Gulf of Mexico damaged from oil.

July is the most exciting time to take a guided turtle walk. The early nests are hatching and the late nests are just being laid, so you have mothers and babies going both ways!

From July 21st to July 31st we have a nearly full, then full, then still nearly full moon. Come to Windemere to enjoy a luxurious stay and the fascinating experience of watching the sea turtles!

www.stps@seaturtlespacecoast.org or 321-676-1701 to book a guided turtle walk.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Wedding Day

May 21, 2010 89/72 degrees half moon waxing

Last weekend we were honored to be the location where another man and woman started their lives as husband a wife. We have had dozens of weddings held at Windemere already this year, but each year only a handful are are able to get the entire Inn and hold their reception here as well. This was a very special wedding with a surprisingly relaxed young couple bringing two families together who, for the most part, had not met.

The bride and her mother arrived early as planned and placed a gift bucket (yes, a beach bucket stuffed with goodies) in each guest room and greeted everyone as they arrived. As a matter of fact the bride joined each friend/family member on their "welcome tour" of the Inn.

The rehearsal went with out a hitch and they all enjoyed a lovely dinner overlooking the river. The wedding day was spent relaxing on the beach until the hair dressers arrived to prepare the bride and bride's maids. Just before the wedding the bride came, wide eyed and upset that the boutonnieres were not quite what she had envisioned, wishing there were more orchids.

Well, at Windemere we are supreme problems solvers, and as you all know, avid orchid growers! Though we hate to cut our orchids, we did so and the problem was gone. The ceremony was intimate (only 30) and presided over by the grooms grandfather. The reception was joyful, beautiful and delicious. Chef Fergie really out did herself with beautiful, tasty hors d'oeuvers, and unique salad designed to meet the bride's wishes, and a tropical dinner to rival the best dining options in the area. The wedding couple were not especially fond of cake, so we made individual cheese cakes, each decorated with a bouquet of fresh glazed fruit and whipped cream presented on silver platters help up by champagne glasses in the shape of a three tier wedding cake.

It was a perfect evening with dancing on the patio surrounded by white paper lanterns.

Each wedding is one of a kind!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day

May 9, 2010 82/70 degrees, moon - 1/2 waning

Today is Mother's Day and the Inn was full of mother's happy to be pampered and waited upon by our detailed and attentive Staff. We had some guests from Orlando who planned their second and third trip to Windemere before departing the Inn after their first! We had some guests walk in with out a reservation, saying that it looked nice and they would like to see some rooms. At the same time very dear regular guests arrived and were so happy to be here and were welcomed with such warmth and enthusiasm (they've been here nearly a dozen times) that the walk in guests had made up their minds to stay before the first room was even viewed!

Just another typically wonderful weekend at the Windemere Inn!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Six Year Anniversary

Sunday May 2, 2010 86/72 degrees moon- 3/4 waning

Today we, the Staff of Windemere, are celebrating six years since I bought the Inn. The actual date is May 11, but today is the date that we could all get together to celebrate and leave my parents, Jim and Celestine, to watch the Inn. The Staff choose the new Sand of the Beach in Melbourne Beach for our "party". It is a lovely spot, you guessed it, right on the beach.

In the past six years we have had damage from five hurricanes in fourteen month and suffered dearly from the recession. However, thanks to our many faithful repeat guests, here we are, truly celebrating. We thank each of you for allowing us to serve you and look forward to celebrating many more years at the Windemere Inn!