Pictures from Paradise


Manatees behind Green Flash

Well we made it back home.  Reality is setting back in only a few short days till back to the daily grind.  I have posted several pictures from the week.  We get to have our annual  contest and decide which ones get blown up and framed to hang on the wall till next years visit.  It gives us something to look forward to while we are waiting.


















































 

 

Comments

Kim@Snug Harbor said…
Wow-you got some gorgeous photos! Remember I was there the end of may with my sisters and daughter? Well, my one of my sisters just booked a last minute trip back down with her husband for 5 days the beginning of August. I'm jealous!!
July 22, 2011 at 9:23 PM
Shelllady said…
Love the pics...you got some absolutely gorgeous ones!! Thanks for sharing...Less than 1 week and I'll be back there to return the favor!! :)
July 24, 2011 at 5:27 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Branson by the Ocean a.k.a. Gulf Shores Alabama

Image
So today reality sets in and its back to the daily grind.  I still haven't told you about our last day at Gulf Shores, Alabama so here goes. We left St. George Island around 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.  Next stop, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Alabama. We drove along the coast most of the way.  Lots of swamp logging going on in this area and somewhat unfortunate to see so many closed businesses and abandoned buildings scattered along the coast line. It was a different story when we got into Orange Beach/Gulf Shores.  I compare it to a place we have in the southern part of Missouri called Branson.  Lots of people, lots of cars, and a bunch of tourist type attractions.  So to me Gulf Shores was Branson by the Ocean. It has a higher density of people and high rise accommodations than my heart desires but we have never been here and now we know.      The slogan for Gulf shores is "Small Town, Big Beach"  The beach was wi...
Read more

American Icon Part 1

Image
So it's been awhile since I've posted. My co-pilot and I recently took a trip to the great state of Kentucky to visit an American Icon.  Bowling Green was our destination.   Some of you might call this a Bucket list trip, but I would prefer to look at it like just another adventure down Life's highway.  The whole bucket list idea has such a finality to it, and I'm not ready to kick any buckets anytime soon.  With retirement mode fully engaged, the only thing that stands in our way is ourselves. Is it being middle-aged crazy to think that I should take this trip in my corvette, or maybe rent a new one?  In today's world, what is considered middle-aged?  I already know what crazy is, I see it every day when I turn on the TV or open my phone, and I know that's not me! My car will turn 60 years old in February of next year.  The car's age factor doesn't bother me for making this trip, but there are things to consider, like Number 1- My co-pilot's hair...
Read more

Here's Your Sign

Image
 So today, my family and I got some terrible news, a close friend of ours passed away overnight.  Our family is of course devastated by this.   My blog has generally been about trips and experiences down life's highway.  Mostly about the good times and trips we have spent with family.  Occasionally I'll share a few life lessons I've learned along the way.   I'm typically not an outspoken person, but the blog allows me to convey what comes from my heart, and my heart is compelled to share this one with you. Let's start off with a little about faith and me.  My parents sent me to church.  We didn't go as a family unit.  I went with a neighbor.  Dad was typically not feeling well on Sunday mornings after spending most of his day and night on Saturday at the local bar.  I know he believed in god, but there were also demons that chased him through life. In his later years the alcohol and smoking took a toll on his body, he'd sp...
Read more

Tuesday's addition chasing the sunrise

Image
So Tuesday we spent on the beach.  The nice thing about being right on the beach is you seem to spend much more time on it.  We have logged quite a few hours on beach time this week.  Since we only see it once a year the more time soaking up the sun and the surf the better. On Tuesday morning we got out early Carol wanted to see if she could get some pictures of the sunrise.  We are not on the best part of the island for sunrise or sunset pictures we are spoiled from spending so much time on Captiva where sunset especially, is worshiped. One beach Angel (Taylor) was up for the task the other Beach Angel (Lexi) did one of her favorite things SLEEP! When we hit the beach like a kid and a mud puddle I'm drawn to the water and automatically go into treasure hunting mode.  I looked up and Carol and Taylor are gone.  They were on a mission to find that sunrise and it was some where down the beach around the bend. A quick check of my pockets, ...
Read more

Time

Image
Time, no matter how much we will it to change, it's the one thing in life that is constant.  We watch it pass us day by day.  Sometimes it feels like time is something we are loosing.  I sit here today watching my firstborn grandchild transition into adulthood.  I feel like it was only yesterday I held her in my arms for the first time. I was there for Baby Einstein, Barbies, and Dora the Explorer.  Then there were sled rides, Power Wheels, Go karts and more.  From Crayons and Cartoons to Cars and Cosmetics, wait time, you've gone too fast. You were my first original Beach Angel, and I still remember our time experiencing the beach together. I watched you run and chase the surf with squeals of excitement, I watched the fading sunset shimmer through your long curly hair as you looked out towards the ocean in amazement at the vast world that was before you.   I was there when you showed your sister the beach for the first time, your little hands gra...
Read more

Our Journey 45 Years Down Life's Highway

Image
Normally  we would be on the road today heading back to reality.  But today is a bonus day.  Tonight we stay at "Casa Ybel" on Sanibel. June 12, 1976,  Forty-five years ago.  It would cost you 13 cents to mail a first class letter.  Gas was 61 cents a gallon.  The average annual income was $12,688.  A new home would run you around $49 grand. Platform shoes, flares, afros, and mullets were all in style.  On the TV there was M.A.S.H., The Carol Burnette Show, and Hawaii Five-O.  The top song was "Silly Love Songs" by Wings. Our non-married friends would come over to our apartment on Saturday nights and pass out on the couch watching "The Three Stooges". We were young.  We were unsure.  We had no idea where Life's Highway would take us back then.  But through love, dreams, and hard work we plotted a path and worked on this journey together and look at where it has taken us. Life lessons along the way were all landmarks in the...
Read more

Shin-Zen-Bi

Image
The Bonsai represents the three virtues or Shin-Zen-Bi, which translate into truth, goodness and beauty. Saturday was our last day on the island.  We ventured out on another field trip.  This time to North Fort Myers area to check out Wigert's Bonsai Nursery. Not sure if I should call it a Hobby, Obsession, or Passion but I am a koi keeper.  My current pond has been up for around 4years now.  I have kept Koi for around 17 years. Our Koi Pond The gang I  have also always been fascinated with Bonsai.  I feel like the link between the Japanese art of Bonsai and keeping koi are so closely related that many Koi keepers also have a natural tendency to be drawn to the art. Since we were down in the Fort Myers area for the week I decided to check out Wigert's Bonsai nursery and maybe scratch this itch I have for Bonsai. This place didn't disappoint This was a very eye opening experience and to be fully appreciated taking a camera along is a must.  As many of u...
Read more

Prepping for Paradise

OK! Its time to blow the dust off this blog and get ready to share our next adventures in Paradise.  In my book Paradise is Captiva/Sanibel Florida. A place where we call our home every one-two years for a week away from the daily grind. I'm drawn to Captiva so that is where we set up our home base for the week.  We also seem to zero in on Laika  Lane.  We have stayed at several of the houses on Laika lane over the years and this one will be no different.  This one is a Cutie! Our group this year will be the usual suspects.  My granddaughters, the beach angels.  My daughter, wife and a new rookie to Sanibel/Captiva my daughter's boyfriend. So the truck is washed, waxed and ready to load.  Its become somewhat of a ritual to put a coat of wax on before the trip.  Some say its because I want to have a nice looking vehicle to start off on the trip.  In reality it makes it easier to clean all the love bugs and other unfortunate insects...
Read more

Not So Welcome Mat

Image
 So we're back! Time to blow some dust off this Blog and share another week of "paradise" A.K.A. Sanibel/Captiva Island. New experiences in store this year for starters we got a new "Beach Angel"  Skylar, she's our newest grandchild. She, her two sisters and Mom and Dad are with us this year.  At four months old she now takes the title of the youngest to share this special place. Today Skylar and I spent some quality time on the Lania (also known as the screened in porch for you folks back in the midwest).  As you can see Skylar thinks PaPa is a hoot! A long drive which started at 2:45 a.m. Friday Morning.  Our first leg of the trip was quiet because the Beach Angels rode with their Mom & Dad till we met up in Kentucky for some Smiley face pancakes in Paducah.  We started a routine years ago when the Beach Angels were little where NaNa would give them surprises along the way. It was typical five & dime type stuff that was meant to occupy them so we ...
Read more