Saturday, August 15, 2009

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye

Dear Sanibel,

What a wonderful week it has been getting to know you. I thought a week on the island would be nice but never realized exactly how much stress was pinned up inside this body just itching to get out. Just hearing the waves crash on the sand, watching the pelicans dive for fish, and searching the shores for amazing shells was all it took to make this one of the most relaxing vacations we have ever had.

My favorite memories from this week include picking up living sand dollars and starfish off the ocean floor, having a dolphin swim near the shore just 10 feet from us, getting to see more dolphins on the Captiva cruise, listening to the waves outside my bedroom window at night, and attempting to kayak with my sis-in-law, Marci (so what if we got stuck in clumps of tree roots and almost tipped a couple of times? and so what if we were asked if we had been drinking -- which sadly we had not and could not blame our lack of kayaking skills on that. and who cares if we almost wiped out an entire guided kayak tour because we couldn't steer around them? -- it is still a fun memory!).

We met such friendly people and were greeted with smiles everywhere we went. I don't know if it's the ocean air or the lush, green surroundings, but I smiled the whole time too, happy just to be there.

I can't believe that I got to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner for my family the whole time we were there -- what a treat! I love that there is no fast food on the island, and I loved having a great kitchen in our condo. (And, Sanibel, you don't know me too well, but I am definitely a room-service-breakfast-in-bed kind of girl, but something happened to me on this trip that made me happy every time I got to cook and serve a meal...) Plus, I can't believe that I finished two books while lounging on the beach. Heavens, I am becoming domestic AND a reader...

My only regret is that Chris had to work the entire vacation -- poor guy didn't get to see much of anything and definitely did not get to relax with me, Marci, and ChellBell.

Although we met only one short week ago, I feel like I have known you much longer. And I hope that we will be friends for a very, very long time.

Well, Sanibel, I'm not so good at saying goodbyes. So I will just say, "Until next time" which hopefully will not be too long of a wait.

Love,
Christie
The view from the lanai

The beaches of Sanibel are covered in shells

One of the living starfish we picked up off the ocean floor -- it's a little disconcerting to step on these... We also picked up living sand dollars the size of pancakes. Sanibel's rule is to put any living shells back in the ocean, so these guys didn't make it home with us...

The beaches were virtually empty, thanks to FL schools starting last week and it being off-peak season


14 comments:

  1. H Christie,

    So glad you were able to have a nice relaxing vacation. Too bad your husband had to work. Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  2. I can feel the gentle sea breeze now!!! You guys have a safe trip back home!

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  3. Oh, that looks fabulous! I sure hope I get to meet your new friend someday!! :)

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  4. How fun!! I am longing to go to the beach...but it will be a while before I can make it happen.

    So glad you had a fabulous time!

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  5. What a great trip! So glad you got to relax and have a great vacation. Sanibel is a great friend of mine too!

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  6. Sounds heavenly- I am so glad you got away and got to relax- you so deserved it!!!

    Can't wait to talk to you and hear more about it!!

    ~Becca

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  7. What a wonderful post. I totally want to go on a trip to the island now. I would love to go somewhere with now fast food. I also love the fact that you wore your Know It. All shirt on vacation. We also get asked all the time if we are from Houston, Texas, we always say well yes we are from Houston, Mo in Texas County.
    So glad you had a great time and I love the fabulous photos.

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  8. It's a magical, magical place.....being at the beach that is. This post made me miss it all over again!

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  9. What an amazing trip you had! Those shells are beautiful. We always go to the beach off season (labor day week - can't wait). It is so peaceful and not crowded.

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  10. I'm glad you had a lovely time (but sorry your honey had to work). My friend goes to Sanibel every year for about 2 weeks. I can't wait to go back to the beach.

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  11. Looks absolutely heavenly to me. I wonder how soon I could be there...

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  12. How wonderful!!!! I am jealous!! Those beach pictures are gorgeous, why do I live away from the ocean again?:-) Glad you had a great time...you deserved it!!

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  13. Oh it looks so beautiful! I'm so glad you got to relax and have a wonderful time!

    I'm a little jealous!

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  14. It looks and sounds wonderful! I am glad you had such a relaxing trip! I LOVE the beach and the ocean.

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