Lazy Days on Sanibel

The 4th of July has come and gone.

We had a fun time participating in the 32nd annual Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club’s Fourth of July Road Rally.  This year’s theme was Rallying for a

Shell of a Good Time.  We were a part of The Margaritaville Marauders team.  Below is our battle wagon, which our leader had decorated for the occasion with bits taken from a few of Jimmy Buffet's songs.  He had even labeled the side mirrors with, fins to the right and fins to the left, along with a fin on top.  There were around 130 questions along with a few items that we had to retrieve and take back with us.  We don't know yet how well we did, but we had a fun afternoon. :)

This was one of the cutest decorated vehicles that I saw.  A lot of work went into this one.

 This morning we went to the airport to pick up two grandsons and one of their friends, who will be staying with us for almost 2 weeks.

On the way back across the Sanibel Causeway, we could tell that clouds were beginning to gather.

The boys were anxious to get to the house so they could change their clothes and get out on the beach.  About 30 minutes after we got home, this is where we found them.  Just as well, because it started pouring down rain a few minutes later.  There was some really loud thunder.  Then a helicopter flew low over our house about 10 times, as they were spraying for mosquitoes. The guys slept through it all. :)

Tonight we went to dinner at the Sanibel Grill.

Then we went to the beach on West Gulf Drive to  watch the sunset.

There wasn't much air moving and we had just had another rain shower, so the no-see-ums started bothering us right away.  We quickly hurried away.

A Pleasant Sanibel Day

Views from a West Gulf Beach this morning.

Views from Sanibel Causeway this afternoon.

First Turtle Walk of 2011 Season

 Yesterday I met friends for lunch at Gramma Dot's located in the Sanibel Marina.  This has always been a special place for me.  I love watching the boats coming and going and also find it relaxing sitting near the water.  They now have air-conditioning to make your dining experience much more comfortable.  It seemed to me that the service was even better than before.  The servers were very well organized and pleasantly handled a line of waiting patrons.  Our service was excellent, as was our food.

Crispy Coconut Shrimp

 Fried Grouper & Chips

 Grilled Grouper Sandwich & Chips

Last evening we drove to a Sanibel Causeway island to watch the sunset.

This morning was our first 'Turtle Walk' of the 2011 nesting season. We were looking forward to it, hoping to see a turtle crawl and a new nest. There have been 5 nests and 4 false crawls found on the west end already. 

We are walking a new zone this year, which is a mile long. We begin at Gulfside City Park and walk west to the Tarpon Bay Public Access.
As we walked out onto the beach, just before daylight, the first thing we saw was someone walking down the beach with a flashlight. It's disheartening when you find someone breaking the rules before you even begin. :(


It was windy and cool this morning, perfect weather for a walk on the beach. 

We quickly started passing by one sand hole after another.

A boogie board left behind.

 

There were a few small shells on the beach, but mostly crumbs.

This looked to be one busy crab hole, by the looks of the tracks.  :(  I only wanted to see turtle tracks!

Casa Ybel

When I noticed the pink sky, I realized that we were not going to get a direct view of the sunrise this morning.  Sanibel Island is shaped like a boomerang and we are walking at the southernmost point of the island, therefore no sunrise view this time of year.

Island Beach Club, some of you may know that because of the landmark palm tree leaning toward the gulf.  You can be quite a distance down the beach and be able to get your bearings when you see this tree.  Sadly the tree has died, but it still serves a purpose with an osprey nest on top.

Something strange was ahead, and in front of Sanibel Cottages.

Yes, another hole.  This one is going to have to filled in.  It's like a waiting trap for a sea turtle coming ashore to nest.

See the landmark tree?

Pointe Santo de Sanibel

Very quiet there this morning.

The end of our zone.

Tarpon Bay Public Beach Access

Sting Ray had one fin missing.

Pile of Pen shells

Only shell we picked up this morning was a black flat scallop shell.

About 35 cents???

Prettiest view of the walk. :)

Back at our access; one full bag of trash, no turtle nests.

A nice walk, nonetheless.