Operation Blue Suit, St. Lucie Inlet Update, and Romantic Beaches

If you have ever thought about spending time on a beautiful island surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, and one with fabulous fishing and world-class diving, after listening to Talkin' Tourism co-host Robin Hicks-Connor's first-hand account of her four-day Talkin’ Tourism “secret mission," you just might be on the phone now booking your own trip to San Salvador, Bahamas! Robin's mission was to see the island like a local, and by all accounts from Robin (and the very active coconut telegraph), she did that and probably a little more.

Listeners got to hear about Elvis, Peaches, Davey Crockett, Margonda, Hilton, Michelle and the great hospitality extended to Robin and her traveling cohort Lynn during their island getaway. Robin described the local night spot, the great local food, fabulous beaches and her personal tour of the island’s more remote areas. Her enthusiasm was off the hook (pun intended). Unfortunately, sea conditions were a bit uncooperative and she never encountered “the man in the blue suit” despite several attempts to visit his local haunts. Will Robin return for another try? We'll let you answer that question!

Other topics included a recap of the St. Lucie Inlet meeting on April 26 to discuss dredging and possible funding sources. Boaters from near and far, as well as those businesses who are impacted by the health of the marine industries, know this is a critical Treasure Coast, Florida issue. If you missed the meeting or last week's show, the audio file from last week's show will bring you up to speed.

Char Griggs, the executive director of the Stuart Sailfish Club, made a guest appearance on the show to share all the special details of this weekend's Stuart Sailfish Club Ladies Tournament. Will you be fishing? The weather is supposed to be great and rumor has it that History Lady is trying to field a team of ladies anglers. This Friday, we'll give you an update on any late-breaking tournament details.

Florida 2011 tourism numbers seem to be improving at a steady pace. Has that spread across the Gulf Stream to the Family Islands in the Bahamas? Talkin’ Tourism took a regional look and shared recent reports from the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board’s recent survey of hotels and resorts, which indicate better days seem to be on the horizon. If you'd like to hear those details, it's all on last week's show audio file, which you can download here.

Last, but not least, listeners learned about five of Florida's top-rated beaches by category. If you missed it, no problem, we've got you covered. Here's the audio file from last week to find out where you may want to go this summer for a nearby romantic beach vacation.

'See you' on Friday!

An Art-Mackin-Wahoo Show-tini!

Artist Dan Mackin, Ellen Peitz, Robin Hicks-Connors,
and Captain Marvin Steiding.

What do you get when you mix equal parts of a world recognized tropical marine artist, a world-class art festival in a small Florida downtown, and a world-class sportfishing captain, shake them rather than stir them, and then turn on the microphones? What you get is a fantastic edition of Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond!).

The 10th annual Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts was the catalyst that brought Ellen Peitz, Dan Mackin and Captain Marvin Steiding together for this great show. By the time you read this, the Festival of the Arts will be just a memory. But what a great memory it will be if you attended the show.

Ellen, thanks for doing such a great job of letting our listeners know how great a show it was going to be this year.

Having famed artist Dan Mackin in the studio was a flashback all the way back to show number three when Dan appeared as a guest. Listeners of this week's show got a real up close and personal look at what Mr. Mackin is all about, what inspires his art and why he chose to live in beautiful Hobe Sound, Florida. Dan also talked about his current collaboration with former Beach Boy Brian Wilson!

Continuing education is good for everyone, even those who love to fish! Captain Marvin Steiding was on hand to tells our listeners and fans about a great hands-on learning opportunity—Marlin University. And, if you're thinking about or planning a trip to San Salvador, Bahamas soon, Captain Steiding declared it's “monster wahoo season” in San Sal, so be prepared! If you don't have you're own boat to travel to San Salvador, Captain Steiding can hook you up!

Here is the audio file of last Friday's Talkin' Tourism show. Hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed producing it. See you next week!