Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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.



19 comments:

  1. beach, shells AND caches - paradise!

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    1. LOL - I know - that's like the PERFECT day for me. xo

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  2. I can't wait to head off to the North Carolina coast this August for family vacation. A week of waves, grandchildren, time with my parents and geocaching! It will be great. Thanks for getting me excited about what's coming.

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    1. I've never been to NC coast. I' sure like to see pictures when you go.

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  3. What a great room. Staying right on the beach is the best. The Bubble Room with all it's collections & stuff puts me into sensory overload. I usually get one of their humongous desserts to-go too.

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    1. Yeah, I've never actually eaten in there. It's always cake to go!!

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  4. What a beautiful place! Looks like you had a fabulous time. Love the sunset pics.

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    1. Come back all week and see what else we were up to. We got some super photos.

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  5. You are in FL? Are you planning on attending Geowoodstock?

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    1. No, I couldn't make the dates line up for that. :-(

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  6. Nice! Just when I think I've got my Sanibel craving under control, you post this trip account! I sure do love those beaches, sigh.

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    1. Gail I cannot ever get my sanibel cravings under control. I think about sanibel all the time. It's really my special place.

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  7. Kim!!!! I am so happy for you!! You are on the Island!! That does look like a great room - so close to the beach. I am so jealous!!! lol

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    1. It felt so good to be here, especially after missing last years trip. The days on sanibel fly by so quickly and the memories have to last me another year.

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  8. Love, Love, Love Sanibel (as you know!) Wonderful Pics Kim, it sounds like you were in heaven with Geocaches and such a great view!! I think it's cool that you got to reach out and grab the sun while you were there! :)

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    1. Just a few weeks and you'll be there. I can't wait to see the amazing shells I know you will get!

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  9. I went back a page to start at the beginning! WOWZA! What a great place to stay...such a wonderful location! I'm going to write some of this down and hope to visit some day. Better email me if you find something to avoid! heehee! You both look so pretty on the beach! WOWZA...oh I said that! HUGS!

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    1. Thanks Diane. Have you ever been to Sanibel? If not, it has to go on your "To do" list.

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  10. Wow! That hotel definitely feels as if you had your feet in the sand! And the food looked delicious!!! :o)

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