A Kayaking Adventure!

Ken and I had a great night's sleep.  We woke at 7:15, did some reading again, and then Ken and I worked together prepping for breakfast.  We had delicious omelettes and fresh fruit.  We packed some snacks, drinks, and necessary clothing and water proof bags for a kayaking trip.

Ernie and Noela arrived at 9:45 and after some organizing of the CRV we left the CG and headed to Monroe Marina right down the road.  We had each rented tandem kayaks for the day and by 11:00 we were paddling our way around the south part of St. James City.  

Paddling down the canal when we left the Marina!

Pretty fancy boat!

We passed behind some beautiful homes along the canal that had interesting places for sitting outside. 

Not a bad place to watch the boats go by or watch the sunset!

Then we came to the end of the canal and paddled in the Gulf.  What a peaceful and relaxing paddle.  We got close to Galt Island and then found a canal that would take us back to where we started our adventure without retracing most of our trip. 

Paddle left, paddle right and then repeat the pattern!

This looks like a relaxing way to get through the Gulf!

One large catamaran!

You  do have to paddle if you want to move!!!!

I loved this paddle in the Gulf!

Beautiful!
 

A stately anhinga!

A Blue Heron!

Totally in sync, but not going anywhere!

This Anhinga thinks he is hiding!  We see you!!!!

 Some large homes along this canal. 

Some of the homes had 4 levels.  I am sure they can see
for miles!!!!

I think you got off the "path"!

To get back to the Marina, we had to go through this "tunnel" and return to the original canal.

We did have to go back the canal where we had left the marina.  All in all, we paddled for 3 hours and it was delightful.

We are getting close to the Marina and LUNCH!!!!
This is Woody's on the Canal, but we decided to go to The Low
Key Tiki Hut!

Note all the boats tied up at Woody's so the "sailors" could
have lunch! It was a busy canal today!

At the marina they were celebrating their anniversary with free food and live entertainment.  It was very crowded so we decided to go next store to the Low Key Tiki Hut and eat at a table along the canal.  Ken and I both got their chicken skewers and as per usual, they were delicious.  We also drank several pitchers of iced tea!

This is the Low Key Tiki Hut - rather busy today!

The Happy Kayakers with full bellies!

Not a bad setting for lunch!

Looking down the canal from our table!

On our way back to the CG, we stopped at the St. Jude Trail, about a 1/2 mile trip to the back bay.  It is a nice trail ending at a small boardwalk.  It is one of Ernie and Noelas favorite small walks.  We headed back rather quickly for the no seeums were starting to bite.

This is the beginning of the St. Jude Trailhead!

Ibis among the mangroves!

The end of the trail and time for the ladies to rest!  Don't
jump, Ernie!!!

What a view!

We also saw this red tailed hawk!!!!

We arrived at the CG around 5 and Ernie and Noela left for their trip back to Harbor Lakes.  What a wonderful day with special friends.

Ken and I unloaded the car and put things away.  Then we went across the road to talk to the campers in a Minnie Winnie.  After a nice chat she expressed an interest in seeing my jewelry.  She asked if she could purchase some - I think YES! So she came inside Waldo and we went through my finished products and she purchased 4 sets - thank you so much!

Ken had a salad for dinner, but I really wasn't hungry.  I got a fruit tray together to take with us tomorrow when we visit Dave and Sharon Horst.  Ken cleaned up and did the dishes while I showered.

Then I worked on the blog and Ken sorted through the photos he took today. We watched some TV and packed the beach bag for tomorrow's adventure in Goodland (near Marco Island) with the Horsts.  It will be so much fun!

Clean Up and Catch Up Day at the Campground!

Ken was wake early - appears he may be getting another cold.  His nose just won't stop running and his cough is back.  What is that about? Hopefully it will run its cycle and he will get rid of it quickly.

We were up by 7, did some reading, showered and got ready to go out to breakfast.  We picked up Ed and Sandy, who have a beautiful park model in Pine Island CG and whom we had met here about 6 or 7 years ago.  We only see them here at the CG, but we always try to spend some time together.  We decided to go to breakfast at RayMary's here on the island.  We left the CG at 8:30, had a delicious breakfast and a great time of "catching up" and only returned to Waldo around 10:45. 

Ken left to run some errands, including reserving 2 tandem kayaks for tomorrow for Ernie and Noela and Ken and I to paddle around Pine Island.  You rent them by the day, so we will stop for lunch during our adventure.  He returned by noon.  I had spent that time reorganizing all the cupboards in Waldo and then cleaning up.  

We made a call to Lanie and had such a nice chat!  We also talked to Katelyn and what a joy.  She can carry such a great conversation and always seems so excited!  Lanie is the only one in their family who hasn't been sick in the last week.  The girls had a 24 hour bug, but Bob had a full blown case of the flu and was very sick.  He still has little energy!

When Ken returned he made a salad for lunch and then started working on the computer checking bills and any other details that needed attention.  I continued cleaning and got everything scoured, dusted, and vacuumed.  Not my favorite chore by a long shot, but it is done!!!

Ken took a nap while I started the blog and then got out my supplies for making jewelry.  We made salads for dinner and then went for a short walk.  When we returned Ken put onions and peppers on the grill as well as a chicken breast.  We ate our delicious salads and then Ken left for Celebrate Recovery at the church in Cape Coral.  I cleaned up and made jewelry.  Reggie and Paul stopped by for she wanted to purchase 2 sets of jewelry for gifts when they go back to Michigan.  We had a nice visit.  I wached some of Survivor and continued making jewelry.  

Ken was back around 9:45 and after some talking we called it a day.  Looking forward to kayaking with Ernie and Noela tomorrow!

A Trip to Sanibel with Ernie and Noela!

Ken and I were awake at 3:15 AM because he heard something "dripping".  So, we both got up and listened to where we thought the sound was coming from. We determined it wasn't the shower, toilet, or bathroom sink.  Then we moved to the kitchen sink and refrigerator, but it didn't seem to be coming from either of them.  Back to bed, but we had trouble sleeping.  So, now Ken decided to check outside and sure enough, he found the dripping "culprit".  The park model next to us has metal awnings and water was dripping from the roof onto the awning, making a loud sound.  Hallelujah, we could go back to sleep.  It wasn't very hard for me, but Ken read for 1 1/2 hours.

We were up by 6:45, did some reading, and then I prepped for breakfast while Ken got ready.  Then as we often do, Ken finished breakfast and I got ready. Today we enjoyed flax pancakes with lots of fresh fruit. 

What a view from the window of Waldo.  Not bad, huh???? 

We got snacks, drinks, and extra clothes and shoes ready for our trip today to Sanibel.  We left the CG at 8:50 and drove off Pine Island to the Publix store, about 25 minutes away.  Ernie and Noela pulled in around 9:25 and we were so happy to see each other.  We loaded their bikes on our car rack and were on our way to Sanibel, which  is very close to Pine Island (about 2 miles by boat) but about 1 to 1 1/2 hours by car. Unfortunately when driving on and off of Sanibel, it is a "feat".  The traffic can be horrendous.  Going onto the island today was rather easy and quick.  We stopped at the Visitor's Center to get some brochures and a coupon for RC Otters where we planned to have lunch. 

Driving over the bridge to Sanibel Island looking out to the
Sanibel Lighthouse! 

We headed to Ding Darling Preserve, parked, and then got on our bikes to ride the 8 miles through the Preserve.  It is a 1 way road around and it is for cars, bikes and walkers.  This is about the 4th time we have done this ride and we always enjoy it.  Today was a bit different because there were less birds than usual and Ken was so disappointed that he didn't see any roseate spoonbills except the beautiful one on the sign.  2 people who work in the Preserve said they saw 13 of them earlier in the day when they were "fishing" looking for food.  Ken thinks they were just "pulling his leg"!  We did see lots of white pelicans and 1 alligator.

Tri-colored heron!

The preserve had lots of visitors today!

Can you spot the tree frogs????

Here is one up close and personal!

Now the beautiful photos of the white pelicans .......

Our one alligator "spotting" of the day!

A gorgeous boardwalk within the Preserve....

with many white mangrove trees.  These "nut"
like things grow on the tree and then the "bean"
comes out of the bottom.  When the beans fall to
the ground, you get more white mangrove trees!

Looks like an arch!

So sorry, Ken, that this was the only roseate spoonbill
we saw today!  So disappointing when Ken doesn't
see his favorite bird!

We finished our ride around 2:15 and headed to Captiva to have "lupper" at OC Otters, the place we always eat when on the Island.  We love being outside, listening to their live music, and eating the delicious food.  It really was a special lunch. 

A rather colorful building!

We were starved!  After all, it was 2:30 and a long time
since breakfast!

Really enjoy spending time with Ernie and Noela - great folks!

When we finished eating we walked a block to the beach and did a stroll along the water looking for shells.

The water was glistening!

Many small shells on this beach, especially cat paws!

The sidewalks from the beach back to the restaurant!  So pretty!

I think this a double hibiscus!

At 4:15 it was time to leave Captiva and start the drive back to Pine Island. When we got onto Periwinkle Way we got into so much traffic it was crazy!  It took us about an hour to go 7 miles with bumper to bumper traffic. Once we got onto the Causeway, driving went well.  You just needed a lot of patience!

Ken took this photo when we were leaving Captiva!

Ken took this photo out of our car's sun roof while we were
caught in traffic and not moving!

We stopped at Costco on the way back and then arriving at Publix close to 7. We went our separate ways and were at the CG by 7:20. We unloaded the CRV, put things away, and then watched American Idol while I worked on the blog.  Ken did some reading.  In bed by 10:00.  This was another day to Celebrate Life!