Sanibel Island 2013 Day 1

If you ever want to visit a true island paradise, then you have to go to Sanibel Island, Florida.  The place is magical and just being there does wonders for my soul.

Less than half an hour ride from the airport, we approach the toll bridge...

and eagerly look forward to our first glimpse of the famous Sanibel lighthouse...

This year we chose to stay at Shalimar Resort.  I have to say that this place was one of the cleanest places we've ever stayed on the island and everyone who works here was extremely nice.

 

 

 

We also had one of the best views we've ever had.  We chose to stay in the motel and we booked the second floor, end room, which is practically on the beach....

 

You don't get much closer to the beach than this - what a view!

 

 

 

 

 

We wasted no time jumping into our swimsuits and hitting the beach.  I don't know about you but I can't wait to kick off my flip flops and get my toes in the sand.  This year the water's edge was littered with pen shells, but thankfully, no red tide to be found.

 

After a stroll along the beach, deep breaths of fresh salty air and a quick dip, we showered and headed out to Captiva for dinner.  This year we gave RC Otters restaurant a try.  We've never eaten there before, but it quickly landed on our list of must-do restaurants.  Decorated in shades of purple and blue, the funky restaurant has a musician sitting outside playing the guitar and singing beach type music.  A friendly waiter, a pleasant atmosphere and delicious crab cakes hit the spot!  We will definitely be back.

 

You know me....  I have to find a geocache no matter where we go, so after dinner I dragged Chablis down the street to find a geocache.  Hidden just off the main street, it was behind a curtain of brush and looked to be up this tree.  Hmmm....  a girls gotta do, what a girls gotta do!

 

 

 



Success!  I even found a TB inside that I snagged to take back to Chicago.  It was from the United Kingdom and had never been to the states, so I think I'll take it around to visit some caches before releasing it again.

After embarrassing Chablis with my tree climbing antics, we headed down the road to the public parking lot and decided to walk out to Red Fish Pass to watch the sunset.  It was a perfect evening to be out on the beach.  No bugs for a change, light breeze, very few people and a killer sunset.

 

 

 

After sunset we stopped at The Bubble Room and got a piece of their Orange Crunch Cake to take back to the room for dessert.  Sorry, no photo of the cake as we devoured it before I thought to take a photo.  Take my word for it tho - it was YUMMY!!

 

Come back tomorrow for day 2.