On Thursday morning, my husband and I, said goodbye to our two year old son Lucas and ventured to Sanibel / Captiva Island for a three day, "toddler free," "honor your down time or die" mini vacation. The objective was to rest, heal, and reconnect with one another after experiencing three weeks of illness.
After only a 2 1/2 hr drive, we safely arrived at the Sundial Sanibel Resort, which on a scale of 1 to 10 is a 5 and not worth a return visit and headed straight for the beach. What we found once our toes hit the sand was a festival of shells, sea urchins and whelk egg cases all along the coast line. We had heard that it was what locals call "shelling" season but this was outrageous. I have never, in all my travels, experienced such an abundance of vibrant colorful shells in all shapes and sizes for the picking. There were sand dollars, sea horses, fan scallop shells in golden yellows and ruby reds and purples. It was beautiful, exciting and like all the other visitors i could not wait to begin my treasure hunt. Fathers were shelling with their fathers, daughters were shelling with their sisters, brothers with their cousins and multi-generational groups of traveling friends all shelling with one unified mission = to find that one special, "Oh my God, this is the best one yet "shell. After three days, Stephen and i collected over 60 amazing shells and the center shell was a Stephen winner.
Overall, the mini vacation was excellent and here are my Authentic Take Aways:
- Forget Sanibel, head straight for Captiva Island for better everything: sunsets, shells, food and overall experience.
- If in the mood for a massage, try a service at the Spa at the Tweens Water Resort and ask for Amanda = Excellent
- For best "down to earth" dinner and sunset experience head to Mucky Ducksa pub style, best grilled shrimp ever spot since the 70s.
- For a day on the water venture on one of Captiva's day cruises to Cabbage Key = a amazing small island with only one Inn on it which was the inspiration for Jimmy Buffet's song, Cheese Burger in Paradise. Paradise it was. The island that is.
- For active pursuit, rent a bike on Sanibel and ride to the Sanibel light House. I had not been on a bike since i was 14 and collided with a taxi and it was amazing. May have to get a bike now.
- Bring your own wine, and munchies and have a picnic on the beach any late afternoon.
- Last positive take away: when in the area, always try to read a editorial; you never know what great stories you may find, like this one by Jonathan Alter, a senior editor with Newsweek who wrote a a fantastic piece about his mother's political quandary "Everymom" conflicted over Clinton vs. Obama.
- Only downside to both islands: I was the only brown face every where i went besides the restaurant staff. There is a lack of diversity amongst the visitors. Lets change that, shall we!
