Matlacha Florida: A Vacation Rental Experience

Beyond the plasticity of manufactured entertainment, hidden behind the planned neighborhoods, and endless miles of manicured fairways exists a Florida that breathes the spirit of Hemingway.

On the South West coast, a few short miles from Fort Myers is a small fishing village named Matlacha. This tiny strip of land, forgotten by developers, ignored by the traffic of the masses headed south to the Keys, is the manifestation of "Old Florida" that inspired countless tomes of literature by authors such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Jack Kerouac, Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams. Matlacha has been immortalized by author Richard Powell in his novel Pioneer Go Home, which was made into the Elvis Presley movie "Follow that Dream".

Matlacha has been considered an "Old Florida" retreat for more than 50 years. During World War II, soldiers from Page Field in Fort Myers would use their weekend passes to experience the "Fishingest Bridge in Florida". Today people still flock to this bridge to catch the much sought after game fish teeming the sound and shallows of Matlacha Pass. World records have been broken on this bridge.

The main strip, Pine Island Road, is lined with fishing shacks, colorfully converted into art galleries that boast magnificent examples of creativity and world class talent. These examples of converted history are not to be mistaken as the tacky t-shirt shops found in the heavily populated tourist destinations scattered throughout the state. Matlacha offers the real deal in Florida Cracker ambiance.

Recently I had the privilege of staying in a vacation rental home provided by Cape Coral Real Estate and Property Management. The moment I stepped through the wooden gate into the palm strewn garden I felt a physical transformation take place. The hat of a fast paced digital nomad blew away and was replaced with a straw hat of a taciturn gentleman of leisure. As a writer I am usually plagued with a head full of cliché adjectives and loquacious ramblings. Of the entire visual stimulus associated with a new place, one word stuck out above the rest, "Real".

For once I was not brought through doors of pseudo-reality into a fabricated version of the old south created by developers. This wonderful little cottage laid out amongst the tropical flora, protrudes over the still water of Matlacha Pass. As if on cue a pair of dolphins breached a few yards beyond the old wooden dock emitting a misty welcome. A great blue heron stood like royalty amongst it's serf like egrets scattered along the worn planks.

It became instantly apparent that while a certain attention to historical detail for the sake of charm had been maintained, there would be no omission of comfort and amenity. The crystal swimming pool, tempting and secluded by over hanging palms, offered a vision of moonlight swimming. Many satisfying hours of pail and shovel construction would be had on the raised sandy beach by my anxious little girl, while my wife would while away the hours under the warm winter Florida sun. The hammock informed me that little work would be accomplished during my stay.

Through the polished French doors a tastefully decorated home away from home was filled with all of the creature comforts. Two spacious bedrooms with private baths reminded me of the difference between the dull hotel vacations versus the significantly more comfortable option of a vacation rental home.

We spent the first night settling in and shedding everyday life away easily. The following morning I served eggs benedict with fresh Florida orange juice on the deck. Prepared in a well equipped kitchen and enjoyed under a cloudless sky painted with a gentle sun.

The afternoon was spent with a vigorous paddle in the provided kayak which carried me across the open sound and through some quiet and twisting mangrove lined passages. Wildlife everywhere - above and below. After a swim and a shower we walked the short distance to the fish market to purchase a fresh catch of grouper and oysters. Both were later cooked on the gas grill and enjoyed under a starry sky accompanied by several bottles of Pinot Grigio.

The night grew chilly and we retired inside for a night of games. There is something about a vacation rental, no matter if it is a winter ski trip, a summer on the lake or a tropical getaway, that entices a gathering of family for board games. A victorious ending in Monopoly capped off the ending to a perfect day.

Staying in hotels becomes routine and mundane. More often than not a vacation rental home provides so much more at a considerable savings. The ability to enjoy the privacy of well prepared meal at the fraction of the cost of eating in a restaurant is only one of the many benefits of staying in a vacation home. Comfort and the room to relax cannot be discounted. Overall the vacation rental experience shines far above the hotel stay option.