After spending the last 50+ years with only 3 months of summers and very long cold Maine winters we decided to go in search of a warmer land and a home away from home in the "Sunshine State" of Florida. We wanted to find a place that in our off season months could offer everything the summers in Maine did. After a long 8 year search we drove across the Bridge and on to Marco Island and found just what we were searching for. We purchased a condo in 2015 and after two years decided we wanted a place we could entertain our entire family at so we went in search of a house. When we walked in we knew it was the one for us, after returning to view it three times we made an offer and took possession in early June 2017. We immediately began renting our property and didn't even have the chance to stay one night in our new home before Marco Island endured a direct hit by Hurricane Irma. 3 days after the storm we arrived to see the chaos that ensues following a powerful category 3 hurricane. Although Hurricane Irma did try to rain on our parade we were truly blessed to only sustain minor damages and were able to continue to open our home to renters, some who had vacation properties cancelled at the last minute due to storm damage. It was certainly a learning experience and far different than a Maine Noreaster. Having now endured multiple hurricanes Irma 2017, Ian 2022, Milton. And Helene 2024 and after unexpectidly being stuck and riding out Ian's terrifying record storm surge at our home, watching helplessly as our boat listed and took on water, and the water rise to within 6 inches of breaching our Lanai and garage we knew it was time for some updrades. These much needed upgrade include
full hurricane shutters in April 2025, and a new dock and seawall being built in Aug/Sept 2025 to get our elevation from the current 8 ft to 11 ft.