"I DO"

So forty one years ago on Monday we said "I DO".  A few pounds, some gray hair and lots of wrinkles later we still Do.  Forty one years ago we didn't even know this place existed and even if we did we probably would not have been able to afford coming here.
We still DO


Our good friends Herb and Sue Maddox introduced us to Sanibel about 17 years ago.  Who would have thought that a small vacation with some friends would have turned into a life long family destination. We have been able to experience and share this place with other loved ones. They probably don't know just how blessed they are to be able to experience this place at a young age.

 A few hours at the Beach today then darkening skies to the south and distant thunder reminded us of getting caught on the beach a few years ago in a Southwest Florida thunderstorm.  You might think what the heck I'm wet anyway. Believe me its not a good decision to stay.  Rain driven by forty mile an hour winds seems to have a stinging quality to it.  We made it back in plenty of time to watch the skies open up. Watching a group in a large open bow boat travelling in the gulf trying to make it back to safety.  I would not have wanted to be on that boat.

 Today was a Win/Win for dinner.  The Beach Angels can still be a little picky when it comes to their taste in food.  Their meal of choice Subway.  Carol and My meal of choice Thistle Lodge at Casa Ybel Resort.

 Casa Ybel is one of those places on Sanibel that has an illustrious history.  George Barnes built Sanibel's first cottage in the mid 1880's after his boat ran aground on the island.  The place grew into a 30 room resort over the years.  It was one of Sanibel's first resorts.  Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were some of Casa Ybel's first vacationers. Supposedly George Barnes daughter married one of the resort guest in 1890's and he built her a grand manor on the property known as "Thistle Lodge"  Today a great place for dinner with some real old Florida 
charm.  Today the resort has over 100 rooms. 
Mango Margaritas at Thistle Lodge

Grilled Vegetable Cannelloni w Chicken& Slow Roasted Berkshire Pork “Osso Bucco”


Girls dinner


Casa Ybel then
Casa Ybel today

Our dinner was great as usual and the Beach Angels were happy campers as well  Finished the evening off with a walk on the beach time.


Another anniversary in the books.  Forty one more might be asking for a little much but we'll take whatever comes our way and hopefully many more in this beautiful place.






































Comments

Shelllady said…
Happy Anniversary to you both!! We found Sanibel on our honeymoon 20 years ago this coming November, we are so fortunate to call Ft. Myers our part-time home now, and hopefully full-time one day soon!!
June 16, 2017 at 10:41 AM
RC said…
As much as I would like to the same. We'll probably just call it our once a year Happy Place.
June 16, 2017 at 3:17 PM
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