Did you get some wonderful sea shells? I remember my parents telling me about them. But that was some time ago.....maybe the shells no longer land there in such large numbers.

We were there last May. Woody's cousins live on Pine Island (next island up the chain)and we went over to walk the beaches one day, and plod around in the water, feeling for shells. That made me so nervous, I felt just like shark bait. Then we had lunch at a fancy resort, yes, pricey, but nice. It IS lovely over there and I wouldn't mind living there again if I had a place right by the beach. Otherwise, it's just hot and sandy and crowded. :)

OH man I love that place it is like Heaven. Wish I could live there! Lucky you for having had those 5 glorious days.

It's been too long since I was there but I love Sanibel Island.

The shells were incredible; everywhere you look there are people bent over the sand! I've since been told that going on the off season is a little easier on the wallet AND the traffic!

Didn't feel like shark bait, but the sting rays were VERY abundant. I just stay about ankle deep and then I can't get "eaten". LOL Saw a dolphin feeding about 5 feet from the shore. Most incredible thing I've seen in the "wild".

Picking up all those shells causes the "Sanibel Stoop". I've had it before. I love Sanibel. Did you go to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. I love it there. So many birds and animals to see including gators.

Linda

Wow! you bought back some wonderful memories!! We went with our daughter, sis and bro-law about 25 yrs. ago. Stayed
in a condo, had a super time. I wasn't the "nature" person I am now--too young, so we drove past Ding Darling. What
a great time we had!
Nice thoughts as I sit in Ohio--lol! Waiting on a nice
day to come along.....

lol Linda, "Sanibel Stoop"....that is for sure!! It was almost cult-like all the people shelling!!

Yes, we went to the Ding Darling Refuge.....all I can say is "zzzzzzz" the ONLY thing we saw were those white birds. We wanted to see some gators or SOMETHING! Guess it didn't help having a fussy 11 month old in the car.

One of our favorite places...We go to Ft. Myers every winter and always, always visit Sanibel....And, Flamingo, oh Pine Island...There is a little place way at the end of the island that serves the best grouper...When we 1st "found" the place it didn't even have screens on the windows but they have fixed it up and there are times, you can't get a seat. Not sure of the name, but next stop would be in the bay....Wonderful food......

A large portion of Chicago's North Shore migrates to Naples and Sanibel for the winter -- or for school breaks, depending on age group! (Kind of 'getting away from it all, but taking it all with you'. LOL) Living near a beach is lovely when the weather cooperates; bone-chilling and damp when it does not. Happy YOU had nice weather and a good time!

only have been once for dd's destination wedding...didn't get to take advantage of the beach or shelling, sigh...

did you eat at the mucky-duck and watch the sun go down?

We used to go just for a getaway weekend. And when Harry was taking courses to renew his teaching license we shared a condo with some friend right on the Gulf. Had lots of stone crab. crusty bread and wine on the balcony for dinner one night. Good memory.

Another neat getaway place is Anna Maria Island. So pretty!

Last time we went to Ding Darling we didn't see much either. I think it was actually this time of year. We have been there and see abundant wild life. One time we lost count of how many gators we saw but it was at least 10 that trip. The Roseate Spoonbill are really awesome to see.

SunnyDJ- The Waterfront Restaurant? Yes, we've eaten there, it's just a few blocks from cousins' house.... great food, nice casual ambiance, fun view. They eat there quite a bit, so it was like eating with friends, which is fun when you're on vacation.

I think Sanibel had a little trouble with gators a few years ago, they kept it pretty quiet but some people died. I imagine they've lowered their numbers a bit since then.