A Sanibel Thursday

The temperature today reached 86, but the cool SW breeze made it a perfect evening on the beach. Walking out onto the beach at resident access 7, I could see that the water still has that beautiful aquamarine color.

There were shells left at the tide line and the waves were uncovering some shells that had previously been covered in sand. I only picked up a few small shells, but when I found one tiny little horse conch, I was happy.

There were very few people out this evening; just a couple people walked past and a couple people were fishing. Either most people had already gone for the day or it is a sign that season is at the end. Either way, it's very peaceful and almost like having your own island.

From access 7, and walking west for about 1/4 mile you see a huge, beautiful, thatch roof house that is used by most locals as a landmark. If you tell someone you were near the thatch roof house, they know exactly where you were. You can see this house at the beginning of the first video.








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At the beginning of this video you will see another thatch roof house. Could it be illegal housing on a Sanibel beach? :-) Someone built a makeshift lean too on the beach. It was actually much longer than it appears in the video. Normally it wouldn't be a problem but tomorrow is the first day of sea turtle nesting season and all obstructions are supposed to be removed from the beach. This includes beach chairs, umbrellas, garbage of any type which can endanger a sea turtle's life. All sand castles should be leveled and holes filled in by the visitors that created them.

Sanibel Slackers World on Wednesday

The pictures and video were taken today at resident access 6 off of West Gulf Dr.The temperature got up to 88 degrees and the Gulf is 77 degrees. The breeze was strong and cool, making it very pleasant. There wasn't much action on the beach; only a few people fishing and sitting in the sun, but nobody was shelling at the time. There were a few shells but none that I had any interest in. Quite a way up near the dunes, there were a few older shell piles, which I'm sure have been searched through many times. Late this evening we had a few drops of rain. We could sure use much more.

Walking out from access 6, onto the beach.



I had to laugh to myself, when I saw this fellow fishing just a few feet from the shore. Normally the water wouldn't even be half way to your knees. There must have been a trench washed out in that area or the man's legs were really short. Made me think of 'Dorf Does Fishing', done Tim Conway style. :-))))

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Sanibel Resident Access 2 Tuesday

We met the bride and groom for breakfast today at Jerry's, in order to give them their wedding photos. It was nice having the time to get better acquainted. After breakfast they were heading off the island to spend a few days at Key Largo.

This afternoon there weren't many people on the beach off West Gulf Drive, at Resident Access 2. It was 88 degrees, sunny and there was a cool breeze. Walking in the water was very pleasant because the water temperature was 77 degrees and pretty clean, clear water, for Sanibel. There weren't many shells moving around today. I only picked up a few jingles.






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Monday Sanibel Wedding

It was 88 degrees today. I didn't get out to do anything until this evening, to take some pictures at a wedding on a West Gulf Beach near Mitchell's Sandcastles. It had cooled off quite a bit by then, but there wasn't much of a breeze where we were. Because of that, the noseeums were really annoying.

The bride and groom were waiting, when we arrived. We introduced ourselves, since we had not met in person previously, only on an internet message board. We had arranged to do them a favor by taking photos of the ceremony and be witnesses, because they were coming to the island alone. Shortly after that, the minister and his wife came. Another very sweet couple who live on West Gulf Drive, allowed the couple to use their beach front property for the wedding. The sky was really beautiful as we walked out near the beach.



The minister performed a very nice sand ceremony, the blending of two lives joined as one. The kind homeowners came out onto the beach, just at the conclusion and tossed handfuls of jingle shells over the couple, and also gave them a beautiful large horse conch as a wedding gift, along with their good wishes for a happy future together.



After a few more photos, we said our goodbyes to the newly married couple, who were very nice. I hope they will return for many anniversary trips; and we will get to see them again.



(Those of you who know sweet little Dottie, will know she's the person with lots of lovely shells to toss.) :-)


This is the beach just a little east of resident access 4.


The sunset, just after the ceremony.

Sanibel Sunday Scoot

Today's title is in honor of a person that I ran across on the Sanibel Forum on Trip Advisor. Her name online is 'WhiteDiamondScoot'; and yes she does have a white diamond color scoooter. She, her husband and some friends are here at Sanibel on vacation this week, along with her scooter. I'll have to say, this is a perfect place to make good use of a scooter. When she found out that we were doing a bar crawl today, we made plans for her to meet us at the Holiday Inn Pool Bar. There were five of us already there, and since she had given us a description of herself, we knew her as soon as she walked up. Mr & Mrs Snowbird & Tink were also in attendance and we struck up a conversation which kept us occupied. We also had a sandwich there for lunch. By the time we decided to move on to another place, Ms WD Scooter, had to leave us. She was very nice and We all enjoyed meeting her. I hope we get to see her again before she leaves. It never ceases to amaze me how you can meet people through the internet and then actually get to meet them in person.



Next stop was at the West Wind Inn Pool Bar. It was 86 degrees today and sunny. But, there was a strong and cool breeze that made it really pleasant to be outside. I did consume a bottle of cold water at this stop though. There were just five of us again. In a little while, the Snowbirds said their goodbyes, because they will be leaving for their other home in Ohio, next week. Tink also decided it was time for her to head back to the causeway and take the 'Sad Lane' back across. Just after they left, three more friends made their appearance. Mr & Mrs Sanibel Lover and a friend that is visiting this week from Kansas City. We enjoyed a nice visit with them before they day ended on by taking a walk out to the beach.

There weren't many shells there, and the friends had been further over on West Gulf at Access 7 and there were few shells there, as well.




Another cool tree at West Wind Inn.



Beach at West Wind Inn.
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Blue Sky Friday

It was 88 degrees today, which would make you think it was hot. But, with a strong, cool seabreeze, it was very pleasant on the beach. The water was 78 degrees, calm and still pretty clear. No shells were washing in, but there were a few shells at two different tide lines. I didn't find any I wanted to carry away with me though. There were lots of fluffy white clouds around today, which looked beautiful against the bright blue sky. The photos and videos below, were taken at Resident Access 5, off West Gulf Drive.







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Blind Pass Thursday

It was 65 degrees last night and up to 82 today. It was breezy today, so low 80's feels very nice; not hot at all. After doing some errands, like picking up a couple of Kiwanis coupon books for the restaurants here and a stop at the bank, drove on out to Blind Pass to check out the progress being made with the dredging project.

There is still a lot of work to be done before the newly scheduled finish date of July 8th. A small part of the containment cell has been opened and it looks like sand is in piles to be trucked away. There is water all the way under the bridge now, nearly to the containment cell.

Several people were fishing on the Captiva side of the pass. I saw no shells in sight there.

On the way back, walking across the bridge, I saw a boat come under the bridge, making it's way toward the bay. It was just a small boat with one of the project employees in it. But it was strange to see, even though it didn't come from the gulf yet. I could see a fish swimming on the bay side of the bridge and another one a little further away, that jumped out of the water.










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Gulf side of Blind Pass Bridge


Turner Beach/Captiva side of Blind Pass


Bay side of the bridge.

Sanibel Wednesday Sunset

The video and photos were taken at resident access 5 off of West Gulf Dr this evening. The high today was only 79 degrees and there was a steady cool breeze. The water is still really clean and clear and there were some small shells at the water's edge and also on two of the high tide lines. The beach seems to be getting back to normal again, as the busy season comes to a close.











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Today's sunset.

Sanibel Tuesday

The high temperature today was 76, and a wonderful sunny day. This evening at the beach off West Gulf Drive, at resident access 3, the wind was getting a little cool, but for me, this is perfect weather. The wind is also in the NW again, hopefully that will bring more shells. There weren't many coming in, while I was there. The people here on vacation this week, should be enjoying themselves. :-)





There was a little excitement going on near Mitchell's, where a man had a fish or something on his line. I was curious to see what he caught, but after watching him work for about 20 minutes trying to land it, had to leave. Time was running out because there was a meeting and light dinner at SCCF for the Sea Turtle Volunteers at 6 PM.

The dinner and meeting was held outside on the large deck at Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. It was a nice opportunity to meet some of the other volunteers and also the couple who will be our Permittees this year, who as it turned out, are neighbors that we had not yet met.

Since I had already done a post about the 'sand holes', I was surprised when that was brought up in the meeting. Amanda Bryant the Sea Turtle Coordinator said that it is a problem that has been getting more prevelant lately. She has been talking with the Sanibel Police and they are trying to find a way to get beach goers here to understand that the holes have to be filled back in before they leave the beach. Not only are these holes dangerous for people, they are very dangerous for the nesting sea turtles. There has also been a problem with deep trenches dug on the beach. One lady said that she was very surprised recently to see a 20 ft long trench about 2 ft deep, one morning when she went on the beach. There may soon be a fine involved. I posted a news release on my 'Turtle Talk Blog' that was sent out today by the City of Sanibel, with some guidlines to follow for the sea turtle nesting season that will begin, May 1. Hopefully everyone will do what they can to help the sea turtles survive.

Much better viewed in HD on YouTube, by clicking on screen below.


The house at the begining of this video used to belong to Porter Goss. He was Sanibel's first mayor and afterwards head of the CIA. The house is 21,393 square feet with 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, a tennis court and a 70 ft. pool and is named CASA YUCCA. If you feel an urge to move here, it is for sale and you could purchase it for only $13,875,000.

Sanibel Sunday On The Beach

Today was sunny and 82 degrees with a nice breeze that made it feel cooler than that. A visit to a West Gulf beach at resident access 7, revealed less shells than yesterday. It was still fun looking through them for small shells anyway. Some of you know Ms Snowbird, and she was there before me. So, she probably carried off the better ones. :-)) I hope so anyway. Before going to the beach I talked to her on the cell phone and she was at access 7, and told me that there weren't as many shells as she saw on my blog last night. :-) I imagine folks in that vicinity that had done lots of walking on the beach earlier today, found some nice shells though. It takes more effort to find them, than I have put forth lately. It was a wonderful day to just relax on the beach.

I'm guessing that the shells are gathering off shore, and will be coming in during the month of May. That will please all of you people who are coming next month. Don't forget your shell bags! :-)

Saturday's Hope

Daughter #1 wants a breast cancer door mat to put outside her front door. So, after lots of searching on the net, some were located at Carpet One. They carry several different ones and some for holidays, as well. After getting the address for the nearest location in Ft Myers, we headed out this afternoon with high hopes of finding exactly what she would like. With a little help with directions, from the lady who lives in our dash, we went straight to the store with no problem. I couldn't believe my eyes! They had the perfect one and another that was hard to say no to, so we got them both. I can't wait to send them to her now.





I took a few photos on the way off the island. Both sides of the causeway islands were lined with fishermen today. There were also groups of people enjoying family picnics. The clouds and blue sky were beautiful. I noticed the last two times I've been through the toll booths that they are replacing some palm trees and working on the landscaping again. I read that irrigation and landscaping will also be installed along Summerlin between Pine Ridge Road and Sanibel Island. That should be a very nice improvement.











Went to the beach at resident access 7, off West Gulf Drive this evening. The weather was wonderful today and there were plenty of shells to search through. I took a bulging pocket full home. :-) I think there were as many dogs out taking their owners for walks, as there were people on the beach. One doggie was so cute, that I would have brought it home if they would have let me. There were also dolphin swimming pretty near the shore. It was just a perfect evening!


A variety of shells and plenty of them.

There were sun rays again today.

A pretty yucca plant on access 7.

This is what you call sky watching, on the way back out access 7. :-)

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Cloudy Friday

It was kind of cloudy all day and 81 degrees. I stayed busy helping a friend who was moving, so no time for a beach visit. The house they are moving into is right on a small lake. They had all of the windows open this evening and there was a wonderful, cool breeze coming in over the water from the NE. Especially in the kitchen which has several windows facing the lake.

I also had a chance to see an alligator swimming in the lake and I went out to take a photo while it was relaxing on a log.

This photographer was further back than it appears. :-)

This was how the Sanibel Sky looked most of today, cloudy but pretty. The photos don't show the sun rays that were shining down. :-(




Today Snowbird put a link in a comment she left, on the post I did yesterday about the danger of sand holes. The link takes you to a post made by the mother of a little boy who nearly died in one. You can read for yourself, her story of the terror they experienced. Thank you Snowbird for sharing that and a special thanks to that mother for sharing her story.

Last, but certainly not least: This COMMUNITY ALERT, came in my email today!

FIRE POTENTIAL FROM FLARES

Today, the Sanibel Police and the Sanibel Fire Department responded to a small grass fire in the area of Periwinkle Way and Tahitian Gardens along the shared use path. The fire was quickly extinguished. A witness reported seeing a flare being shot into the air, landing and causing the fire.

Evidence recovered at the scene showed what appears to be a "Marine" type flare. Three of these types of flares have recently been turned into the Sanibel Police Department.

If any flares are found, please contact the Sanibel Police Department at 239-472-3111. The Police Department will respond to properly dispose of the flare.

Sanibel remains under High Fire Watch Conditions. This type of flare burns extremely hot and can cause extensive fire damage as well as personal injury.

Could somebody please tell me why anyone would do something so stupid? Hardly a day goes by, that you don't see at least one person throwing a cigarette butt out of their car window, even though they know how dry it is now. Talk about careless. There are constant reminders on radio and tv about fire hazard conditions, and these kinds of things still go on.