Sanibel Island Florida July 2021
This is not a travel blog, just my rambling thoughts as I
continue to move forward in this new chapter of my life. So here goes my first
visiting trip that requires a flight or two across country. Last summer was my
first solo car trip to Colorado.
I am on my way to visit Chris who will be my roomie on the
Mediterranean Cruise in October, fingers crossed the cruise does happen. David
and I met Chris and her late husband, Charles through our RV club annual rally
– Escapade. It’s really this blog that kept us connected. While we don’t know
each other really well we do have a lot in common, good things along with the
sadness of losing our husbands. This will be a good trial to see how we will
get along as roommates for the cruise. And I must say it is starting off well
with me in my red vest and pink shirt and Chris (sorry I’m telling this on you)
in her pink (it looked red in the closet) shirt and red crocs! The laughs
started with that and just continued. BTW, my vest with 18 pockets and the pre
approved TSA made the whole flying check in experience a breeze. The vest is
great for travels. Important things handy and organized.
I took all this as a good omen that I was heading the right
direction. Also, this was a favorite place of Janie, my mother-in-law. She
loved the island and collecting shells. I had wanted to visit it.
Even on vacations stuff still happens. This morning the
power went out. Thank goodness, for me, I had just taken my oatmeal out of the
microwave. That was my pre breakfast as Chris was going to make eggs and bacon
for herself and I’d have a bit of a second meal. However, since the stove is electric,
not sure that will happen. Chris got the last cup of coffee before it went
cold.
We plan to go to J N “Ding” Darling national wildlife
refuge. May bring the dogs (Charlie and Bailey) along as there is no a/c in the
cottage. Fortunately, it came back on rather quickly and all is well.
Before the trip, I’d purchased some concrete turtles for
yard ornaments in El Cajon. And suddenly I am now collecting turtles. I had
discovered colorful metal critters on a metal pole that will twist and turn
with the wind. There was a choice of several animals and figured metal turtles
would get along with the concrete turtles. Now here I am on Sanibel Island,
finding/buying more turtles. First off, the cottage I am staying at with my
friend is called Turtle Tracks West. Twice now driving we have slowed the car to avoid
us or others from running over the endangered gopher turtle(s) crossing the
road(s). And shopping for a Sanibel Island memento, I picked turtle earrings.
This was all topped off with ice cream, flavor – turtle, of course! And no, I am
not going to start collecting turtles.
I’m enjoying the trip; the company; the food; shell hunting
and painting and the dogs. Bailey has taken a liking to me and when I sit down,
he immediately comes over to sit by my side. I’m gonna miss him. There really
is just too much to share it all. I am so glad I once again stepped out of my
comfort zone to take a cross country trip to a new place; meet new roomie; new
challenges too. Like Elsa hurricane warnings; deciding to leave the island a
day early; delay my departure; spend a couple days with Chris at her place in
central Florida. I had to change my departure date and airport. Glad I got to
spend a couple days more but it back-fired a bit. The storm did not do exactly
as we thought so my departure out of Orlando turned into yet another adventure.
Still good that we left the island, there was flooding.
Orlando started out great. However, waiting to board the
delayed flight notices begin. Then the delays meant my 4+ hour layover in
Atlanta began getting shorter and shorter until, Atlanta flight left before I
would get there. I could write quite a story on this. Basically my 1pm flight
left about 6 pm; I had minutes to make my “new” connecting flight. My luggage
didn’t make it. There was a little stress; panic; concern and finally calm to
walk through it and trust the process. Nice people along the way. Kiosk man who
had to help me use the self service check out (I was starving and thirsty and
realized waiting to get on the plane was out. Well I did have snacks in some of
the 18 pockets but…). Then the gentleman who saved my seat in the now crowed
waiting area while I went to use the facilities. On the plane another gentleman
who offered to get my bag out of the overhead (even tho I didn’t have a bag
stowed). And especially the flight attendant who had to answer several
questions on my “seat controls”. Even tho I was tired; hungry, I laughed to
myself. David would have been pushing buttons and lifting trays and thoroughly
enjoying himself. Oh, did I say, I treated myself to first class on the way
home. What a treat! Seat made into a bed; large monitor; my own private
cubicle. Then I go and spill my coffee and later can’t get the bathroom door
open, flight attendant to the rescue again. Oh well!
After not finding my luggage on the carousel in San Diego;
reporting it where I discover it never left Atlanta; getting a Lyft ride; it’s
almost midnight (more like 2 am to my body) I’m back in El Cajon! And when the
delayed baggage arrives the next day this adventure ends.
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| Choices! |
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Ready to fly; headphones on R Individual cubbies |
Good things are coming down the road, don’t stop walking. That’s what I’m trying to do. And you?
