Day Trip to Sanibel

We were up by 6:30 and got ready for our adventure to Sanibel for the day. The 6 of us were on our way by 8:15.  Savages drove separately so they could return a bit sooner so they would be back to take their dog, Tatem, out. There is always a lot of traffic on the drive to Sanibel, and today was no exception. It is especially slow when you get on the island.   We stopped at the visitors center to get a bike trail map and then got on our bikes and took the path around Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve.  We saw many birds, an alligator, and Ken was in all his glory - his favorite roseate spoonbill!  He was so excited to get several good photos of this beautiful bird.

White pelicans - not the ones yo 

The "token" alligator!

Look Closely!  This heron has a geico in his mouth!

An anhinga drying his wings before his next flight!

The 1st photo of Ken's favorite - the Roseate Spoonbill!

Love this photo!  What a unique flat bill!

The Happy Campers on the Preserve Ride!

This is a replica of Alligator Dung!

You open the box and it describes the animal and it's "dung"!

After our bike ride, we drove to Captiva and enjoyed a delicious lunch at one of our favorite spots - R.C.Otters.  We ate outside listening to live music. The 6 of us had done this same dining experience together last year - how blessed are we!  4 members of our group enjoyed the crunchy grouper tacos - grouper, another favorite of Ken's.  This was a special day for this boy!!!!!

Chuck and Melissa from Tennessee!

Neil and Nancy from Lancaster County PA

Ken and I enjoying every moment!

Lunch at R. C. Otters!

Ken's crunchy grouper tacos with black beans and rice!
Looks pretty good, huh???

Savages headed back to the CG when we finished lunch (already 2:15) and Chuck, Melissa, Ken and I went to Pinochio's, a homemade ice cream shop on the island.  Their Sanibel Crunch ice cream is sooooo good - vanilla ice cream with toasted coconut and nuts.  From there we went to Costco in Ft. Myers Beach area.  This was a 1st for them and they could hardly contain their excitement!  We had a good time!

We only returned to the CG around 5:30, happy but tired! The rest of our group decided to spend the evening relaxing in their "homes", but Ken and I went to the benefit concert at the Clubhouse with our friend, Slim Lehart and his wife Barb singing.  The musical group in the CG, The Last Resort, also provided some of the music.  The concert was to benefit the KOA Kids Camp that benefits children with cancer.  Amazingly, the campers donated over $1,100. and Slim did such a great job.  We really enjoyed the 2 1/4 hour concert.  We were so tired when we hit the bed at 10:30, but what a fun day!

This is Slim Lehart, who has been singing country songs
for over 50 years.  He was a headliner for the Jamboree
in West Virginia for 30 plus years, till it ended.

This is Slim harmonizing with his wife, Barb!  They are
quite the duo!

Slim and Barb with their back-up singers from the CG!

This is part of The Last Resort, the singing group that reunites
every year here at the CG.  They will play on Friday night!
Excellent singers and musicians!