The final installment of my Florida manatee adventure. Took a while to get here!
January 29 – Explore Sanibel Island and Shells
Thursday was the penultimate day of the trip. To make it down to Sanibel Island from our Condo was a four drive. So, it was another early morning. I had my doubts about whether a trip to look at “the best shelling” was worth it, but I hoped there might be birds or other wildlife to be found.
When we got there, we went out to brunch, then hit a local park for beach access. I did a lousy job of capturing just how much fun looking through the billions of shells was. In the picture below, you can see the beach. What you can’t see is that the sand isn’t “sand”; it’s shells. And an amazing number are intact. Of course, the closer you go to the water, the more that are intact.
I was pretty determined to enjoy the shells but not take any home. Yeah, that plan didn’t work out, though I felt like I was pretty restrained. I didn’t help that random people kept showing me what they had found and offering me additional treasures.
After enjoying the shells, I needed to use the restroom and started a walk back to the facilities. Per usual, I got lost (took one “off ramp” too soon) and came across a gopher tortoise.
I sat down on my towel and watched him for a while, but he didn’t want to be friends. Took some other photos while enjoying GT.
Our next stop was a local shop called She Sells Sea Shells. For me (something of a minimalist) this would have been a ten-minute stop. It turned into a couple of hours, pushing the plan to have dinner on the beach out. We ended up having tacos in the parking lot of the shop. It was a moment made wonderful by my traveling companions. The only reason this really bothered me is that we were in a parking lot during golden hour.
Eventually, we made it to the beach again for a stunning sunset.
While the sunset was nice, it turned out there were a few really great birds there, but it was basically too dark to get good photos.
Sigh.
I did kind of like this “failed” photo just for the cool effects.
January 30 – Free Day, Bird Tibet-Butler Preserve, Recap
Friday was scheduled as a free day. I think most of my traveling companions slept in. I had discussed the idea of taking a ride share to a local birding hot spot with fellow travelers KH and AM around 9am, but they got up early (sickos) and had found some good birding nearby and now wanted to delay the excursion until after a planned brunch. I am not sure I made the right choice by agreeing (FOMO) but we eventually got to the Tibet-Bulter Preserve where we split up and enjoyed our own company.
A few hours later we reconvened and headed back to the condo for a farewell dinner and experience recap. I faded out pretty quickly and went to bed to get up at 3:00am for my flight home. Who is making these travel arrangements? We need to talk.
About Humans and Painting
Although I didn’t mention my fellow traveler humans too many times in this series of posts, I was very aware of them and wish to say Thank You.
Humans are not my favorite thing, and group of humans make me anxious. Frankly, I was worried about being part of a group more than I was worried about the activity level or any other part of this experience.
I lucked out. Every member of the group was the kind of person I could imagine becoming a good friend. We all exchanged contact info before leaving, and I hope we keep in touch. The eight of us spent our time looking at wonderful things, not trying to be anyone or anything. But they were something. They were wonderful.
- Carrie (guide): Passionate, engaged, thoughtful.
- KH: Quiet, nuanced, inquisitive.
- AM: Outgoing, warm, adventurous.
- CL: Restrained, helpful, hilarious.
- KW: Open, supportive, patient.
- TM: Young, enthusiastic, talented.
- SL: Laughing, in-the-moment, practical.
I was hoping the humans would be awesome, so I brought bookmarks to paint and giveaway as a thank you. I spent my down time on the last day finishing them and put them out for selection that evening.
January 31 – Return Home (Still My Favorite Place)
Getting up early. Plane ride. More plane. Driving. Home..
It’s been almost a week and I’m still a little giddy. Still struggling with swimmer’s ear. A little sleep deprived. But… isn’t that what travel is about?
