Tag: Sanibel Florida

Place – Sanibel Island, Florida

On By TimelessladyIn Place4 Comments

We recently spent five days on Sanibel Island, Florida. It was our fourth time down, and the devastation from Hurricane Ian is still visible. Yet, the islanders and businesses are booming back. There were still shuttered areas, but many businesses have reopened. We were saddened to see that the hotel we always stayed in, The West Wind, has been torn down, but we are hoping they will rebuild it. The place we chose to stay in, Periwinkle Cottages, was terrific and a perfect substitute for The West Wind.

Sanibel is known for seashells, and the beach did not disappoint us. Fighting conchs, enormous cockleshells, and pristinely pink scallops, the photograph does not show the beauty of the shells. We also found a few olive shells, whelks, and many small shells with holes for stringing into projects or jewelry. I also found an intact angel wing seashell and managed to get it home in the same condition. If you have a chance to visit Sanibel Island, I can promise you will find shells.

I have to limit myself on how many I bring home before I even step on the airplane. I packed a large plastic container inside my suitcase to be filled with seashells. Doing so keeps me from bringing home too many. There were mountains of shells on the beach while we were there. I highly recommend wearing water shoes if you plan to go. Seashells are beautiful, but walking on them can feel like sharp gravel under your feet.

Phun – A Unique Shower

On By TimelessladyIn Phun6 Comments

“The lizard in the image is a Common House Gecko (also known as Asian House Gecko, Pacific House Gecko, or Moon Lizard), scientifically known as Hemidactylus frenatus.” ~Google

A common gecko was small enough to wander into the shower through a small drainage slit in the window frame. He was so adorable. I didn’t want him to die in the cottage we stayed in by becoming shut up in a closet or cabinet. With just a small prod to his tail, he jumped on my thumb; he was half the size of it, and I deposited him in the front garden. I hope he enjoyed the shower we shared.

The photo was taken in Sanibel, Florida.

Pathway & Project Part 4 – Atlantic Ocean & Delaware Bay

On By TimelessladyIn Paths, Projects4 Comments

I might be slightly stretching the challenge subject of passages/paths to consider walking alongside the ocean and bay a pathway, yet my way has a water border and dry sand on the other side. I walk on the wet, hardened area swept over by the waves. On further reflection, I think of walking along the ocean, a definite path. 

The first photograph is one of my favorite places, Fortescue, New Jersey, along the creek that flows into the Delaware Bay. This area is a popular spot to fish. Again, I found the photograph quickly because it is set aside as a scene I would like to paint.

Another favorite area is Strathmere, New Jersey. We walk to the point across from Corson’s Inlet State Park. The beach has large cordoned-off areas for the shore birds that raise their young in the sandy stretches beyond the reach of the waves.

Whatever beach I visit, I collect an assortment of ocean treasures. I keep them in baskets and jars, paint them, craft with them, and have them in my living room as decor. Today, I created a decorative basket with a few. I especially like the piece of seaglass on the front. I found the glass with the small oyster shell firmly attached. I imagine that oyster had quite a whirlwind life while it was alive, tossed around in the waves with its piece of glass host. The small shell included on this piece is a cat’s paw collected on Sanibel Island.

On the subject of Sanibel, I’m including a clip of one of my favorite YouTube Channels: SWF Beach Life. This clip includes Sanibel Island. I love her channel; it is so relaxing and fun to live through her as she gathers beachy treasures. On a scale of 1 – 10, I give this YouTube channel a definite 10. If you feel stressed, or are just interested in seashells, check out this channel.

Place – Sanibel Island/The Land

On By TimelessladyIn Place4 Comments

I am not exaggerating when I say I have wanted to visit Sanibel Island, Florida, for more than four decades. We tried to drive down once with our seven month old son in his car seat. We only drove for seven hours before realizing the nightmare of a long drive with an active baby was not going to work for us. That son is now over forty, and that’s at least how long I have wanted to see this beautiful island.

You might wonder why. What is the pull? Easy to answer…the lure of the island for me is the seashells. Sanibel beaches are considered some of the best for shelling in the world. After visiting in early October of this year…I can totally support the claim. I have never seen so many shells, or so many beautiful varieties, strewn across a beach.

Beyond the lure of the beaches and warm water of the Gulf of Mexico is the beauty of the plant life. I love flowers and foliage of all types. The island supports many tropical plants and trees. The West Wind Inn, a beautiful place built on the beach, has gardens filled with lovely flowers and trees.

I’m not sure what this tropical beauty is named, but I am using it as part of Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Another flower I saw in abundance was this tropical version of Black-eyed Susans. The flowers resembled the ones I grow, but the foliage was very different, thick and dense, able to withstand the heat and salt in the air.

We visited two beaches in addition to the beach in front of the West Wind Inn. The Lighthouse Beach has a fishing pier. We saw dolphins in the water there. There is quite a bit of parking, but the restroom facilities were a long hike.

Our favorite beach was Bowman’s Beach. It was a long, long walk from the parking area/restroom facilities to the water, but so worth it. We went here twice, and some of the best shells we gathered were found on this shoreline. I waited a long time to go to Sanibel, I hope I can go back soon, and not have too many years between my visits.