Hump Days are "BS"

With all the "BS" going on this week, things really got away from me.  So I'm going to have to lump some things together this year. 

I know for most of you, Hump Day is a good thing, but when you're on vacation it's pretty much "BS".  It signifies that point in the week when vacation is on the downhill slide.  It has been a good week, and the fact that it will be over soon is of course total "BS".  

Beach Snacks

On Wednesday, we ran into an old acquaintance on the beach.  He's a shady character, has a long list of priors, and I believe he's even a jail bird.  This dude can make off with personal items and snacks quicker than you can say  "Nacho Cheese Doritos".  He stalks you from afar and when the timing is right swoops in to commit his crime.  If you are ever down here, be on the lookout!

Did someone say "Snacks!"


Bracelets from the Sea

The shells have not been very plentiful this week.  That's the price you pay for having pleasantly calm days in the gulf.  While I love searching for shells, I also love soaking in the calm waters of the gulf.  We were out in the gulf partaking in some Salt Water Therapy and our youngest Beach Angel was pulling shells up and found a couple that had small holes in them, so she Crafted Nana and I some bracelets straight from the ocean.  A small sliver of seagrass and the perfect shell, unfortunately once the seagrass dries out the bracelet  breaks.  By the way, Taylor, even though the bracelet broke, I still got the shell!  When Taylor was much younger  in June 2015 she found an Imperial Venus shell. (they are rare to Sanibel)  You can see a picture of it by looking at an old blog of mine titled "A Special Find" When we got back home that year we put it in a little display box Taylor still has it today.  These are the priceless memories that last a lifetime.

Bracelets from the Sea by our Beach Angel

Beach and Sand Fleas

While we were working on Oliver our sand art project, I apparently found a group of Sand Fleas, or  should  I say they found me.  For you Missouri folks that are not familiar with sand fleas, let me just make this comparison.  "Chiggers x10" When God made Sand Fleas, what was he thinking??  I'm sure they must have a place in the whole circle of life, but why must they spend their time chewing on an old man's feet and ankles?  Carol is constantly telling me: "Stop scratching". ME:  "I'm not scratching, I'm rubbing!"  I also came back from the beach on Thursday and a small crab fell out of my swimming trunks.  So I got fleas and crabs all in the same week on Captiva!  No "BS".

Buck Key & Slipping through the Mangroves

On Thursday, we went on an adventure. We took Kayaks and explored Buck Key.  Buck Key is a small uninhabited Island which is just east of Captiva.  It's mainly a nature preserve, but there are 14 acres for sale if you can come up with a cool $22M.  It's supposedly deemed as one of the last buildable uninhabited island off the cost of Florida.  It was once inhabited in the late 1800's. I have attached a cool little video about the history of Buck Key.  You can click on the link at the end of my blog to check out the video. Take the time, the video is short and very well done.

I really enjoyed our kayak adventure, it was very peaceful. Only the sounds of gently splashing water as our paddles slipped below the surface of the water. We went around the key and through a mangrove water trail which cut through the island and opened up into a big lagoon.  We saw Manatees, Dolphins, and various birds while gliding peacefully through the water.  I will definitely explore more of the area by kayak in the future.  It was also good to see the Beach Angels get in touch with nature for a bit.  It's hard to get these teenagers to unplug today.

There was a group of birds (Comorants) that followed us for a good part of our adventure.  They would fly down right by the kayaks and swim alongside.  Before you knew it, they would dive under the water and catch a fish.  I really think they were used to being fed by fishermen who were out in the area fishing and were tagging along for possibly a handout.


Unplugging a teenager




Our mascots



Just swallowed a whole fish!


Osprey with lunch

Paddling through the mangrove trail


Beach and Sunset

Why are we drawn to the sunset?  There are people all over the world that take the time every day to stop for a few minutes and admire that circular ball of fire as it slips below the horizon.  It's never more apparent than when you're at the beach.  Every day in the last few minutes of daylight as you look up and down the beach they come.  Like moths drawn to a porch light, they are drawn to the sunset.  I'm not sure if we are there to pay thanks and reflect on the day, or in anticipation for the next day to come.  If not for the sun, we would not exist, so I guess in itself that's a good reason to spend a few minutes if nothing else just to admire it.  It's easy to do when you are on the beach on vacation. It gets a little harder when we get tied up in day to day living.   Remember, we are nobody without it.












Here is a neat little history of Buck Key.  Cool little video, check it out.

https://youtu.be/Z922C1Pjzjo















Comments

Jim Manahan said…
Awesome pictures! Another great memory in the book of RC adventures! Thanks for sharing!
June 20, 2022 at 8:54 AM
Shelllady said…
What a wonderful adventure and gorgeous pictures!
November 1, 2022 at 8:22 AM
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