Another Hurricane Ian Victim

Thoughts and Prayers

First, please let me recognize the tragedies and ongoing struggles for the people of Florida affected by Hurricane Ian. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. I wish you the strength and determination to get through this time of mourning, recovery, and rebuilding. Furthermore, while no where near the biggest tragedy of Ian, I did want to recognize another Hurricane Ian victim that was personal to me. In March 2020, one of my first blog posts was the story of Snook Haven. Actually, this is going to make a lot more sense to everyone if you click on this link to review the original post…

SNOOK HAVEN

A Culinary Legend

I have close family in the Venice, Florida, area, I have been visiting Venice regularly for several decades. No trip to Venice was ever complete without a stop at Snook Haven. As I said in the original post, when I created the blog category of “FINE DINING”…the Snook Haven is what I was thinking about. This river-side dining experience is part biker bar and part geriatric sanctuary. I love this place and all the memories it has given me and my family. Sadly, our Snook Haven memories may be done.

Yes, very sadly, Hurricane Ian may be the end of Snook Haven. Even before Ian, the future of Snook Haven was getting worrisome. Their lease was up in 2023 and some “makeover” of the location was in the plans. I can not think of a establishment less in need of a “makeover.” So, between the makeover plans and being submerged in the Myakka River, some are doubting whether the Snook will ever open again. Certainly, if it does, it may not be the Snook Haven that we know and love.

Past, Present, and Good Bye

The first picture below is the good old days of the Snook Haven during one of my many visits. The next picture is the same building taken several days after Hurricane Ian. I usually boated to the Snook via the Myakka River. Everything that made Snook Haven the perfect out of the way dive for wings and beers…also made it an easy victim for Ian.

Just a couple of weeks prior to Hurricane Ian, my son and his beautiful girlfriend were on vacation in Venice. In the tradition of our family, they boated down the Myakka for the obligatory visit to Snook Haven. As we now know, their visit constituted the last official family visit to the Snook Haven that we knew.

So you say there is a chance…

Will I ever get to visit my beloved Snook Haven again? I don’t know. It’s closed for the indefinite future. Then, there is this makeover project pending. My guess is that IF they decide to open the Snook again, it will only be after the makeover. And, I don’t like the idea of the makeover. Nothing is ever the same after it gets gentrified. I like the Snook Haven in it’s current rough and rustic condition. So, for my own pessimistic approach to life, I am just going to think of the Snook as another Hurricane Ian victim. Here’s is to the Snook Haven…gone but never forgotten. PT

I hope you have appreciated “Another Hurricane Ian Victim” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.

The first post on Snook Haven https://travelingwithpt.com/snook-haven/

Check out their website to see what we will be missing https://www.snookhaven.com/