Last day

Our last full day. . . It has been ten days of quality time spent with my daughter and granddaughter. We all agree it has been very restful. We have had a lot of laughs (mostly at my expense).

I’m not the sharpest tack in the box when it comes to technology, especially computers. Stacy teaches computers to elementary children. This week she has been teaching me a few things about maintaining a web site. Do you think this makes this trip a tax deduction? LOL

We had breakfast in the condo, lunch at Sanibel Café and for Shelby’s benefit, dinner was from Schnapper’s Hots. She loves that place!

It has been a lot fun doing this trip report, but I don’t think I will ever do it again. In the future I will try to comment and encourage trip reports I read, not just be a silent lurker.

Thank you to everyone who has read our trip report.

Sunday, July 18, 2010 (Shelby)

Nana took her usual sunrise beach walk. She was pleased to see that the tent that had been left out from the night before had been tagged. Nothing is to be left out from 10PM to 7AM. This morning we had breakfast at Over Easy. Nana had the Sanibel Scramble, Mom had the Portabella Omelet, and I had the pigs in blanket. When we came back we went to the pool. Our lunch was at Blue Giraffe. Mom had the Sanibel Island Wrap, Nana had the Greek Salad, and I had Shrimp & Chips. We also got a piece of key lime pie to go. We have always loved going to Blue Giraffe even when it was formally known as Gully’s. We spent a while at the pool again. Mom and I went to the beach for all of 10min… The sun started to hurt the sunburns on our shoulders. We decided to take a trip to Captiva to go to Keylime Bistro. We got our $10 key lime pie (one piece) to go. A little pricey, but very good. On our way back we stopped by Twilight Café to get an order of broccoli to go. We wish to thank Chef Robert Parks, Twilight Café, for gifting us with a double order of broccoli. It was fantastic! We had dinner at the condo. Here's a link to our Sanibel Pictures

Saturday, July 16, 2010 (Stacy’s turn)

This morning was nice& lazy around the pool. Basically it was all ours for an hour or so. We enjoyed a light lunch on the lanai, and then Shelby and I played in the surf for a while. After we tired out, we sat on the beach for a while with Mom. We’re now sitting here trying to decide what and where to eat. We ate at Jerry’s. I wanted a gelato from PocoLoco but I couldn’t even finish my Seafood Croissant. So the gelato will have to wait until tomorrow or the next day. We are going to go walk the beach now. Here's a link to our Sanibel Pictures We will update when we have time.

Saturday, July 16, 2010 (Stacy’s turn)

Shelby and I went to breakfast without Mom this morning, as she wasn’t feeling up to par. We went to Blue Giraffe to eat. We walked all the way to the door before realizing that we were too early. They don’t open for breakfast until 9AM and it was 8:30. So we drove to CVS to buy some more bug spray, which only killed 10 minutes. We then decided to try Island Cow. A few years ago we ate there and did not have a good experience, and being bullheaded, never went back. But I have been reading this forum since we came and had read many good reviews. I had the Coconut French Toast, which was fantastic, but very rich. I had to get a to-go box as I could only eat one out of three French toasts. Shelby had the blueberry pancakes and loved them. Just goes to show that reading this forum helps make our experiences here even more pleasurable. Here's a link to our Sanibel Pictures We will update when we have time.

Friday, 7/16/2010 (Sue’s turn)

Another great day in paradise. We ate breakfast “at home” and then spent the morning on the beach, at the pool, and in the condo. I am staying out of the sun more than usual and to my surprise, I am happy to just watch the waves from indoors. The view from our condo is wonderful. All condos at Ocean’s Reach are ocean front and only steps to the beach. The pool is also ocean side, which I like. Lunch was at one of our favorite restaurants, Doc Fords. It was very good, as usual. We stopped at the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum after lunch. We have toured it several times, this time we only went to the gift shop. Stacy bought Christmas cards. The afternoon was much like the morning. It has been very windy most of the day, but no rain. The waves were higher than usual and Stacy and Shelby had fun playing in the ocean. After a quick trip to Bailey’s for a few things (cake) we are taking a beach walk and then in for the night. Our trip report looks very boring, but we are having a great time. If I had done a trip report in the past it would be all about the shelling. I have taken more than my share of shells home. In fact, I have a small “shell garden” at home. But this year is different . . . . In April I was diagnosed with an eye problem. I have some weird restrictions: no heavy lifting, no bending over, coughing, sneezing or vomiting. That sort of eliminated the Sanibel Stoop for me. I wasn’t going to tell this, but I decided you needed to know why I’m not talking about all the shells I’m finding. Here's a link to our Sanibel Pictures We will update when we have time.

Thursday, July 15, 2010 (Shelby's turn)

Went to breakfast at Sanibel Café. While we were there we ran into Tootie & Gary! Good food and service. We bought the wedding present and had it shipped back home. We spent an hour or so at the pool before eating lunch at the condo. Thriller! South Seas! We arrived at 2:30 to get the good seat in the back for our Thriller adventure. Barely out of the marina we saw our first dolphins! The farther we went the darker the sky got. By the time we came to the end of Captiva, the sky was very angry looking. Finally, after circling a few times, our captain took the boat into the marina at South Seas. By this time the wind had really picked up and it was thundering and lightning quite a bit. The harbormaster gave us permission to dock and to come ashore to wait out the storm. We milled about in the marina gift store waiting for the all clear. Later we found out this was the first time something like this has ever happened on a Thriller adventure. The man across the isle from Nana was singing the Gilligan’s Island theme song. Finally the captain gave the all clear and we had a safe journey back to the Sanibel Marina. To celebrate our safe return we went to Pinochio’s and had ice cream. Now we are staying in for the night.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 (Stacy’s turn)

I can’t believe this is “hump day”, we are half way through our vacation. . .

Sue slipping in here-“I started my day with my usual walk east into the sunrise. Walked for a while with a nice woman who is a volunteer walker with Sanibel/Captive Conservation Foundation’s turtle checking program. As we passed an abandoned up-side-down beach chair in front of Gulfside Park I remarked how annoyed it made me, and that it had been there for several days. (On my way back I picked it up and carried it to our condo storage unit!)”

We are having a calm, relaxing day. No big plans. We called for reservations for the Sanibel Thriller. Both morning and afternoon excursions are sold out today! I’m glad they are doing well. We have reservations for tomorrow afternoon. We really enjoyed it last summer and I’m sure we will again.

This morning we did a little shopping up and down Periwinkle. Mom bought Christmas cards and Shelby bought a necklace. Mom is hunting for a wedding present for my cousin

We are eating lunch out of the refrigerator.

Shelby and I braved the ocean for a while this afternoon. Didn't see any gators, and believe me, we were looking.

All three of us are readers. Sue is reading the latest Janet Evanovich book. Sizzling Sixteen Pure beach reading trash! She’s enjoying it.

I’m reading Insatiable by Meg Cabot.

Shelby is reading The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper

Rain! Finally! We had a nice shower, but now it is extremely humid, and no wind what-so-ever.

I hate to admit this, but Shelby's vote was for Schnapper's Hots...not that she's spoiled or anything, we had dinner from there.

I haven't mentioned this, but last year when we were here the beaches and the shallow water were covered in brown kelpy stuff(I know, not technical). This year the beaches are very clean, as is the water.

July 13, 2010, Day 4

OMG! On my early morning sunrise beach walk I saw an alligator in the ocean! It was very close to shore and 5 to 7' long. I stopped to see what a man was photographing and he and I stood and watched for 20 minutes or more. I think I will swim in the pool today. .

The rest of the day went more calmly. After the alligator event we went to Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop. If you have never been, you don’t know what you are missing. It is Tuesday and Friday, behind Saint Michael and all Angels Church. It opens at 9:30 a.m. and the parking lot is full. We only bought one item – a cute Abercrombie & Fitch top for Shelby - $3.00.

Several years ago when we still drove Missouri to Sanibel I bought quite a lot of stuff there. One thing I remember was a large glass base lamp filled with golf balls. The plan was to remove the golf balls and replace with sea shells. When we got home I sat the lamp on the checkout counter of my antiques shop and promptly tripped on the cord, knocking it to the floor. Golf balls and glass went flying and it made a loud bang. People ran for cover! Hauled it all the way home safely and then I broke it.

Lunch was at Cantina Captiva and we approved. I have read mixed reviews, but we had good food and good service. To- go- boxes, plus take out desserts for dinner tonight.

July 12, 2010 (Shelby’s turn)

Woke up with camera in face.

Nana strikes again.

Light House Café for breakfast.

Apparently the earlier you go the less people.

Found and fought with a folding cabana from our storage closet.

It won.

Went and bought an umbrella for the beach.

The three of us attempted flying a kite on the beach.

Finally it took flight.

For five minutes.

Ate leftover pizza for lunch.

Set up umbrella and chairs on beach.

Day 3, still NO cake!

That will end soon!

Went on a cake hunt at Blue Giraffe.

Had light dinner.

Went shelling.

Cake fast ended.

Coconut Layer Cake.

Chocolate Fantasy Fudge Cake.

Turtle

I had an exciting early morning walk on the beach! There are fresh turtle tracks in front of Ocean's Reach! Unfortunately, it is a false crawl. . . While I stood there trying to figure out the tracks, the volunteer turtle checker from SCCF came by and explained it to me. He flagged and photographed the crawl tracks. It is very exciting, but also very sad that the turtle didn't stay on the beach and lay her eggs. Maybe she was confused by the sand sculpture in her way.

Sue

July 11, 2010 (Stacy's turn)

We slept in. Usually we eat our first breakfast on island at Lighthouse Café, but decided it being Sunday; it might be more crowded than usually. We’ll save it for tomorrow morning. Also, Shelby (she’s 17) woke with a bad migraine. We sent her back to bed with medicine, dark room, and cold wash clothe. Poor baby.

The beach is not overly crowded, but still, fairly full. My plane seatmate changed her family’s vacation plans at the last minute. They were supposed to go to Gulf Shores, but because of the oil spill decided to try Sanibel on the recommendation of a friend. So I’m wondering how many more have changed plans, and are first timers to Sanibel.

It’s been a very lazy day. Either Mom or I have stayed in the condo in case Shelby needs anything. It’s been a gorgeous day! Thankfully, around 4:00PM, Shelby finally felt well enough to roll out of bed. We then decided to go to Bailey’s and look for ideas for a wedding gift. My cousin was married here last month, and we thought a gift from Sanibel would be appropriate.

We ordered pizza from Schnapper’s Hots. We had never gotten a pizza from there before, before we’ve always ordered from Island Pizza. They both are very good, but Schnapper’s veggie pizza was $8 cheaper. (Personally, I think I preferred Schnapper’s Hots. If I’m remembering correctly, not as greasy)

After dinner, Shelby felt well enough for a walk. We took a short stroll on the beach. Shelby likes to look for tiny shells, under ¼”, usually smaller. In the 30 minutes we were looking, she found Banded Tulip, Horse Conch, Lightning Whelk, Olive, Florida Fighting Conch, Gulf Oyster Drill and a Florida Cone. My first find this year was a Nutmeg and Banded Tulip (my 2 favorites!) lying together in the surf.

Again, we went to bed early.

July 10, 2010

I always say I'm going to do a trip report, and then I get lazy. This time I am going to try to post each day. . .

Who: Me - Sue, my daughter - Stacy, my granddaughter, Shelby. (The three S's.) I mention this for RC.

We drove to St. Louis Friday evening and stayed in a hotel by the airport.

Sat. morning we took the hotel shuttle to the airport and boarded SWA at 10:00 a.m. and arrived a RSW at 1:30 p.m. YEA!

I called Tom, from Sensible Car Rental, as soon as we landed and he picked us up within 5 minutes of getting our luggage. He drove us to his office where we filled out papers and from there we had a short 15-minute drive to Sanibel.

As always, my heart got very happy as we went over the causeway. Stacy was driving and I could fill my eyes and soul with all the wonderful sights, smells and sounds of the ocean. Shelby was in the back seat and she was also grinning from ear to ear.

Our first stop is always Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce on the right at the end of the causeway. To save time, (we weren’t yet on relaxed island time) I was in charge of picking up the newest magazine, Stacy was in charge of brochures on any new adventures & tide charts, and Shelby was in charge of menus. We were in and out quickly!

Our next stop is always Schnapper’s Hots – Shelby’s favorite. We got hot dogs, fries, and drinks. Oh, and also an order of buffalo wings. Then we headed for the condo. It is like coming home when we pull into Ocean’s Reach. We enjoyed the ocean view while eating our dogs.

After we ate we checked in with Dru and Andy at the Ocean’s Reach office and toured the new butterfly garden and shell washing station. We then got around to unloading our car (we travel very light). After a quick walk on the beach and some pool time we went to Jerry’s and stocked the kitchen.

It was an early to bed night for all of us.