As you may have surmised from yesterday’s post, I spent the past few days in Florida. Dale and I made a quick trip down to visit his son Brant, daughter-in-law Heather and granddaughter, Ambrynn last weekend. Like any good vacation, we crammed a lot into a short amount of time.
We visited shopping areas like Fisherman’s Wharf in Punta Gorda. I found some cool Jimmy Buffett themed Tervis glasses but I didn’t buy them and opted to try and find them online instead. It was fun to walk around in summer clothes, sightseeing and shopping.
Of course we went to the beach. Ambrynn played in the sand while Heather and I chatted.
And Dale and Brant hunted for shark’s teeth. Dale and I found 11 between the two of us. Brant found 50. I think he spends too much time doing this!
We went to Sanibel and visited the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. We saw lots and lots of birds, including this Roseate Spoonbill. I saw some telephotos lenses that I truly envied and I wish I had thought to rent one before we went on this trip. Next time I will, that’s a certainty.
While on Sanibel we had lunch at the famous Bubble Room and then went to the beach and searched for shells. The tide wasn’t cooperating so we only found 1 unbroken shell but it was beautiful and warm and a good excuse to walk the beach. I studied a few of Brant’s books on Florida shells when we went back to the house and I’ve got some ideas on how to do this better next time, too.
Naturally, I took lots of photos. Photos of palm trees and sunsets. Photos of birds and fish.
And photos of my family. As beautiful as the photos of the flora and fauna, this one is my favorite. All of us together in the warm sunshine. I miss them already.
Judy Said,
Sounds perfect ….sun….warmth..and NO SNOW!!
Nora Said,
Oh, lovely!! What a nice family shot. As soon as you said “Sanibel” I wondered if you had gone to the Bubble Room. I have been to that refuge, as well.
Glad you got away for a few days!
Julie Said,
Beautiful pictures, Carole, especially the lovely family photo! I’m glad you had a nice time.
Kate Said,
Wow… Ambrynn is growing up fast! Glad you are finding lots of time to get down to see them.
margene Said,
Such a beautiful place to be with beautiful people. Sand, sun, sand, sun…ahhhh.
Kathy Said,
How fun!! Ambrynn is so big!
jill Said,
Beautiful family shot. How wonderful to not only see the ocean and sunshine, but to be there with family.
Donna Said,
Ha ha – my parents were down in Punta Gorda at their house for the long weekend too! Looks like you had a nice time. I can’t believe how much Ambrynn looks like Dale as she gets older!
Kim Said,
I love the family picture! Ambrynn is getting SO big! What a treat for you and Dale this midwinter trip.
Beth Said,
That is such a wonderful photo of you all! And Ambrynn looks so tall and grown up!
Jo-Ann Said,
Sounds like an awesome trip
So glad you had fun! Love all the sunshine & palm tree pictures, but the best of all is the sun shining out from your face & Dale’s face in the family shot!!
Cheryl S. Said,
That must have been a wonderful trip. I’m afraid Las Vegas is going to be the best I can do for a little while.
blogless sharon Said,
I’m so happy for you. Glad you had a wonderful visit.
Cookie Said,
She has gotten so big! I’m so glad you and Dale were able to visit them. Wonderful timing weather-wise, I’m thinking. Lovely photos as usual.
Hillary Said,
All the pictures are lovely but the family photo is the best. How nice that you and Dale were able to have such a lovely vacation.
Vicki Said,
Wonderful photos. That one of Ambrynn is especially nice. What a beautiful girl — I can’t believe how big she is getting!
Patty Said,
My favorite vacation as a family was spent on Sanibel with some Red Sox spring training on the side. What a wonderful part of the world. Nice family shot Carole!
Doris Said,
Great pictures! That area is so nice.
Karen Said,
What a wonderful family–and the photographs show the fun you all had. It’s always sad saying good-bye, though. What a pretty girl Ambrynn is–and she has a pretty name, too!
Laurie Said,
Great time! You missed the Weather here.
Sara Said,
Glad you had a great time…Ambrynn has really grown up since she moved there!
Manise Said,
Glad you had good weather. Ambrynn has grown so much! Collecting shark’s teeth is fun and addicting!
kathy b Said,
Ahhhhh. Perfect images for me.
We are going to the area later in the Chicago winter.
I have never been.
THanks for the wildlife and bubble room tips. Will
check them out
Kathleen Said,
Ah, memories of Sanibel, the refuge, my first experience with Red Velvet Cake at the Bubble Room. We used to stay on Captiva for Spring Break when I was in high school – thanks for the trip down memory lane! Looks like you all had a lovely time.
elizabeth Said,
What a cute family!
Geri Said,
Oh! I love Sanibel! We visited last winter. This winter were stuck in N.E. nursing my husbands ankle replacement. Maybe next year!
JessaLu Said,
Sounds (and looks) like a wonderful time! I think you guys were within miles of R’s Dad, too!
Teyani Said,
what a lovely time you had! I am delighted for you that you got to see them all, and I send a big ((hug)) of understanding about missing them!
my, how grown up Ambrynn has gotten. She’s adorable!
great photo of all of you!!!
Leslie Said,
Oh, how fun! Your little Ambrynn isn’t so little anymore!