Benedettos Restaurant in Punta Gorda

View of Benedettos Restaurant at the Best Western Hotel and the Tiki Bar taken from the 41 Bridge.

Gilchrist Park Gazebo

Retta Espalanade Street -- Cascading Royals are Back

View of Retta Esplanade looking West from Gilchrist Park.  

Jim Morris -- Local Trop Rock Singer

Jim Morris, popular Punta Gorda trop rock singer... appears at Fishermen's Village and other Punta Gorda venues.  

Punta Gorda Banyan -- At site of first home

Banyan tree continues it sprawl along Retta Esplanade.. in front of Best Western.

View While Walking the Bridge Across Charlotte Harbor

Fishing Pier off Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda

Fishing Pier off Gilchrist Park

Sandlin House on Retta Esplanade in Historic District of Punta Gorda

Originally the home of James L. Sandlin, a member of the first City Council and later mayor of Punta Gorda, and his wife Mary Lula.   Their son Felix was the first child born in Punta Gorda. Sandlin came to Punta Gorda on the first train in July 1886 to engage in the real estate, mercantile, citrus, and coastal shipping business. The “widow’s walk” was constructed so that  Sandlin could check ships at the nearby dock.

Punta Gorda Storm over the Canal

Storm moves in over Punta Gorda canal.

Rufus Lazzell -- Punta Gorda Notable Person -- Retired Brigadier General

Mr. Lazzell is is a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General and war hero now residing in Punta Gorda Isles. 
More on Rufus Lazzell

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church Punta Gorda

One of the Churches of Punta Gorda: Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Punta Gorda.

At the Farmer's Market in Downtown Punta Gorda

Downtown Farmer's Market is a great place to pick up vegetables and start a Saturday morning walk.

Linear Park -- Trail Leading to the Harbor

Segment of new Linear Park leading to Harborwalk.

Yacht Basin Fishermen's Village Punta Gorda

Path in the Yacht Basin at Fishermen's Village. Notice the lovely butterfly garden on the right.

Freedom Swim 2010

Despite the rain swimmers cross the Peace River on the 4th of July -- hey they're already wet!