The Sun Sets for the last time in 2010 over Punta Gorda

I took several sunset shots tonight and found it difficult to choose.  Finally settled on this one that shows a beautiful palm etched against the orange-yellow Punta Gorda sky on the last day of 2010.   

Eagle takes flight from nest at the History Park

Eagle takes flight from nest near the Punta Gorda History Park

Met Life Blimp Flies Over Punta Gorda -- Seen through the Palms

See the Met Blimp flying over Punta Gorda through the Palms

Another View of Christmas Card Lane through January 8

Another view of Christmas Card Lane in Gilchrist Park until January 8

Christmas Cactus Bllooms on Lanai

Christmas Cacti  Love Punta Gorda Dry Winters 

Entrance to the Garden at Table 209

Entrance to Garden at Table 209

White Heron Having Breakfast by the Harbor

White Ibis eyes a potential breakfast in Gilchrist Park.   

Christmas Tree at Fishermen's Village -- Merry Christmas

Christmas Tree in Fishermen's Village 

Merry Christmas - the Punta Gorda Fire Deparment's Christmas Card in Christmas Card Lane

Christmas Card from Punta Gorda Fire Department in Christmas Card Lane

Reflections in the Mangroves

Reflections in the Mangroves 

Snowcrabs from Peace River Seafood

Peace River Seafood Snowcrabs

Fishermen's Village at Christmas

Fishermen's Village at Christmas

Peace River Seafood Restaurant

Peace River Seafood Restaurant in Punta Gorda 

Sailboats on the Antiqua Canal in the PGI Rim Parade

Sailboats seem like an endless stream of lights in the PGI Rim Parade

Mabel's Piano Bar at The Captain's Table

The perfect spot -- Mabel plays classics here at the Captain's Table on the weekends.  

New "Hotel Punta Gorda Mural" Starts by the Punta Gorda Mural Society at the Charlevoi

Bob and Cliff Naylor, Jim Whipple, Steve Kline and Artist Charles Peck erect scaffolding  on the southwest wall of the Charlevoi Condos for the new "Hotel Punta Gorda" Mural with its famous 7 guests.  

A Hammock Awaits

Hammock strung between coconut palms off Alligator Creek in Punta Gorda 

The Dangling Giant Crab of Laishley Crab House

Spooky looking giant crab that hangs in glass tower over the central bar at Laishley Crab House in Punta Gorda.

Pelican relaxes on the dock by Fishville Marina

Pelican on dock by Fishermen's Village Marina

Black and White Pelicans at the Peace River Wildlife Center

Black and White Pelicans at Peace River Wildlife Center

Lighted Boat on PGI Canal

Lighted Boat on PGI Canal

Price House in the History Park at Christmas

Price House all a glow at Christmas in the Punta Gorda History Park

Hot Dog from Big D's Chicago Eatery in Punta Gorda -- Yum

Punta Gorda Isles Home Decorated for the Holidays

Beautiful PGI home decorated for the holidays.  

Punta Gorda Downtown Christmas Tree

Punta Gorda Downtown Christmas Tree

Winter Wonderland at the History Park

Part of Winter Wonderland at the History Park 

Old Courthouse wrapped up for Christmas

Old Charlotte County Court House all wrapped up for Christmas

Giant Christmas Cards are Up in the Lane

Every Year the Punta Gorda Kiwanis sponsor a display of Christmas Cards along the lane in Gilchrist Park.  

Pomegranate & Fig Store Front at Christmas

Lovely Store Front of Pomegranate & Fig at Christmas in Downtown Punta Gorda

European Christmas Market

European Christmas Market in Punta Gorda

The Lovely Garden of Restaurant Table 209

Table 209's Garden Section of their Restaurant in Punta Gorda.  

The Trabue Land Sales Office at the History Park at Christmas

Issac Trabue's Land Sales Office which now acts as a Gift Shop in the History Park in Punta Gorda (decorated for Christmas).  

One of Punta Gorda's Gorgeous Hibiscus

Punta Gorda's Flower taken at the History Park  when you can find remarkable examples of this lovely tropical plant.  

Sunset over Punta Gorda Isles

Waited to catch this gull flying into an Orange and Yellow Sunset over PGI last night.  

Swirl of Lights around Pond at Fishermen's Village

Liked this swirl of Christmas lights outside the Village last night!

It's Beginning to Look Like Punta Gorda Christmas

Christmas Season is here in Punta Gorda, and most of our pictures here until Christmas will be about Christmas in Punta Gorda.  This is a view down Taylor Street with the lampposts adorned with giant lighted snowflakes and wrapped in glitter. 

Punta Gorda's Christmas Tree is Here!

Punta Gorda's Christmas Tree on Marion Avenue awaiting decorations and Friday night lighting ceremony.  

    
    

Old Punta Gorda Christmas - Front Pages of the Punta Gorda Herald from Early 20th Century

Front Pages at Christmas from Early 20th Century Punta Gorda Herald Issues -- Vernon Peeples Collection

Up on the Roof -- Looking down on Jacks in Punta Gorda

A different view of Jack's Restaurant and Bar.  

Boat heading out at Sunset onto the Peace River

Friend John captured this photo of boater heading out near sunset.  

Punta Gorda at Night Downtown

Punta Gorda at Night from taken from the Sunloft Building -- views of Couthouse, and Wyvern in background

Sunday at the History Park

On any given Sunday the Farmers' Market and More at the History Park in Punta Gorda

Sunset Behind Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda

Sunset behind Fishermen's Village taken from Benedettos Tiki Bar

Tapas One (now Trabue) Nightly Lit Tropical Garden

Tapas One Outdoor Seating in Lovely Lit Garden

Water Fountain Postcard from "Postcards in Time" Mural in Punta Gorda

 The first postcard on the "Postcards in Time" mural depicts  the fountain that was located in the center of Marion Avenue.  The mural was orignally created in 2001, destroyed in Hurricane Charley, and later recreated in the same location on the east side of the building at the northern corner of Nesbitt and Taylor (where the Encore Tea Room is located).

Florida Panther Sign in Front of Punta Gorda City Hall

Florida Panther Sign in Front of Punta Gorda City Hall 

View of Retta Esplanade Looking East

View of Retta Esplanade in Punta Gorda looking East

Site of Hotel Punta Gorda -- The Sign

Sign indicating where the site of the old Hotel Punta Gorda was located later named the Hotel Charlotte Harbor.  Site was where what we now refer to as City Marketplace is -- the parking lot is the only thing there now on Marion across from River City Grill.  

Bee Descends on Tropical Bougainvillea in Punta Gorda Garden

Bee descends on bougainvillea flower in Punta Gorda garden

Birds in a Bush...Pelicans Rest in Mangroves off Charlotte Harbor

Pelicans in Mangroves off Charlotte Harbor near Punta Gorda