Little bit of paradise...

Our private beach in the early morning

It's been a week now since we got back from Sanibel Island, Florida, so it's starting to sink in that we're back to reality and our crazy life again.  Rolland, Weston and I met Rolland's mom, Melanie down in Punta Gorda...the tiniest airport I think I've been in to date.  We got our rental car (van) and then headed to the island, it was dark when we finally arrived, so finding the condo at Blind Pass was a little difficult at first.  Luckily we were able to rent a high chair and pack-n-play for Weston for a week for about the cost of what it was have been to check our pack-n-play on the airplane...without the lugging it part.  After we got comfortable it was off to bed so we could explore the next morning.

Amazing shelling on Sanibel beaches...

 

Moo...from the Island Cow

The first full day we were there we had to go to a grocery store...we actually went in to Ft. Meyer to Publix to get a bunch of the essentials and then we did a little exploring.  Most of the days we cooked breakfast and then we would each lunch out...a few of the places we went included: The Island Cow, RC Otters, Mucky Duck, and Doc Ford's to name a few.  Then we typically ate dinner at the condo so we could play in the water in the evening (and save a little money).  As far as adventuring goes, we didn't do a whole lot, one day we went to the factory outlets and had a fantastic Mexican lunch, one day we went to the light house, and the last full day we were there we went on a Dolphin cruise with Captiva Cruises...this was so cool because the dolphins were playing right in the wake of our boat (the kids loved it!). 

My favorite thing by far was being able to get up early and walk on the beach...the first morning I went by myself and it was so peaceful and I felt perfectly safe (and found some great shells).  Rolland and I went together twice and Melanie and I went shelling together once...that was by far the best morning.  We saw several crabs, dolphins, a stingray, and even a shark that came in about 30 feet from the beach where a man was fishing....so crazy!  The shells we brought back were beautiful!  I just never realized how much shells stink...literally, they smell gross! I soaked them in bleach one night and then I've just had to leave them drying in the garage since (hoping that the stink would eventually go away). 

 

Of course, I love my photos from our trip too...we always have so much fun, and these memories prove it.  All-in-all, we would definitely go back to this peaceful paradise!