Shelling in Sanibel

Before Brian and I even thought of buying a camper, we made plans to spend a week on Sanibel Island.  So just days after we got back from the KODIAK MAIDEN VOYAGE, we headed back on the road.  No camper...no cat!

The theme for this trip was SHELLS.  I enjoy walking on the beach looking for shells.  And I didn't have to go any further than the beach outside our resort.  There were drifts of shells.

Lots of common shells, but there were plenty of surprises, like this live tulip shell. (my sandal is for reference).  Yes, the orange part is the mollusk.

Here what I collected on the beach.

If you don't find what you want on the beach, just stop in at one of the several shells shops.  So many shells...so little time.

You may wonder...what do I do with all the shells that I collect (beside store them away in boxes).  My Dad covered Styrofoam balls with shells.  Some of these are over 30 years old and are one of my favorite shell pieces.

In addition to the shell balls, I display shells in trays, make refrigerator magnets with miniature shells and silverleaf shells.

While I was shelling, Brian did some fishing.  I definitely collected more shells than Brian caught fish.  But we both enjoyed being near the water.

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

To round out my shell experience, I spent an afternoon at the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.  The museum exhibits cover everything you need to know about shells...history, biology, art.  During the Live Tank Talk, I learned how shells grew and what they ate...surprisingly some eat other shells!  It's a "Shell Eat Shell" world out there under the waves.

Edison & Ford Winter Estates

I didn't spend all my time with shells.  Brian and I toured the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers.  Turns out Thomas Edison may have been the first snowbird!  The tour and displays provided interesting information on both of these men and their friendship.

Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Brian and I liked the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge so much, we went there twice.  The refuge has a 4-mile drive where you can pull over and view the wildlife (mostly birds).  We kayaked through the mangroves for a closer look at the wildlife.  We saw jumping fish, birds and some elusive mangrove crabs.  It was the first time I saw a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron and the Roseated Spoonbill.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:  If you are over the age of 62, get FREE admission to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge with a lifetime Senior Pass to the Federal Parks and Recreational Land.  This will be the best $10 you will spend.  Check out the Federal Parks webpage for details on how to buy the pass and where you can use it.

Bike Paths and Geocaching

Sanibel Island has 22 miles of great bike paths.  Not bad for an island that is only 17.91 square miles of land.  There are lots of geocaches along the bike path.  Brian and I picked up 8 caches while on a bike ride.  These caches are referred to as "park and go" caches.  Not real interesting, just stop and sign the log.  I found two other caches on the island.  One was at a small historic cemetery.  Lots of the headstones had shells, trinkets and coins on them.  

I found another interesting cache on the causeway.  We stopped there for some fishing and kayaking.  I  noticed that we had parked close to a cache.  Not only did I score a cache, but I found a banded tulip shell and a crucifix bone lying nearby.  The crucifix bone is from a gaff top sail catfish.  

Of course, the natural beauty continues to fascinate me.   The highlight from this trip was the Banyan Tree that Thomas Edison planted and the beautiful blooming Royal Poinciana trees.

Another great Florida adventure!