Living my Dream: Sanibel Island

Shells were plentiful, some finds

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.