Sanibel Island Treasures ... and a ''Best¨ Beach Challenge

During our three weeks on Sanibel Island, we transitioned from ''vacation'' mode to ''everyday living'' mode. The ''daily grind'', as Doug jokingly referred to it, involved twice daily beach walks and/or bike rides as we explored different parts of the island. Sights like the magnificent colors of the evening sky dancing with the ocean waves were starting to feel almost ''routine'' to me ... Not good ... this beauty should never be taken for granted. 

As I looked out over the blue water, heard the crashing of the waves, and savored the warm sunshine on my face, I felt more than just a little bit guilty. Everyone is experiencing a different type of winter this year. The pandemic continues to present challenges to so many people, and I am feeling guilty that our ''challenge'' is to hang around Florida as we patiently wait for our chance to receive the vaccine. So in an attempt to lessen my guilty conscience, I would like to send a little sunshine your way as I look back and appreciate the ''small treasures'' that surround us and wait to be noticed and celebrated every day.

Beach Treasures ...

A star-fish hoping someone will throw him back ... we lent a hand!

Parents having just as much fun as their children building castles in the sand!

Mountains of shells ... do I need any more?

A beachside wedding promise to love and adore!

Wildlife Treasures ... 

Real life lawn ornaments begging for lunch,

or vultures trying not to get their feathers in a bunch.

Roseate Spoonbill, so pretty in pink,

and Gopher Tortoise, more friendly than one would think.

Flora Treasures ...

Mangrove roots ... what is up and what is down?

Leaves of every color just hanging around.

Flowers so unique, delicate, and small,

the colorful details are sure to enthrall.

Sunset Treasures ...

Where the sky touches the sea,

is always the best place to be.

The ''Best'' Beach Challenge

I can't say that we are experts, but during our few weeks of twice daily beach walks, we got to be fairly knowledgeable of beach ''quality''. So when our friend Dave (who has spent a fair amount of his vacation life walking the beaches also) said that he though Tigertail Beach on nearby Marco Island was better than the Sanibel Island beaches, we had to check it out for ourselves. So here is my ''unscientific'' evaluation of:

Bowman Beach on Sanibel Island

and

Tigertail Beach on Marco Island

Sand Quality

• Bowman Beach: White and not so fine with many mounds of shells. I would advise wearing shoes to walk unless your feet are really calloused from years of going barefoot as a kid.
• Tigertail Beach: White, fine, good-for-bare-feet type sand.

Ease of walking on the beach

• Bowman Beach: miles of wide and relatively flat, compacted sand
• Tigertail Beach: mostly flat, but depending on the tide, you sometimes lose sight of the beach and may need to climb around beach tree sculptures and other obstacles.

Shell collecting

• Bowman Beach: Shells EVERYWHERE, but you have to get in the water to find the really big and rare ones.
• Tigertail Beach: Be ready to take a two mile hike to the northern end of the island in order to find the really neat ones ... including sand dollars!

Parking and facilities

• Bowman Beach: Large amount of parking, picnic areas, and bathrooms close to the beach, but be prepared to pay $5/hour to park.
• Tigertail Beach: A good size parking lot for $8/day, but you will need to walk about a half mile through a lot of loose sand to get to the ocean beach area ... oh, and remember to use the bathroom facilities in the parking lot, as there are no facilites on the beach.

Crowds

• Bowman Beach: It is farther from the main entrance onto the island, so it doesn't get super busy early in the day, but because it is the best place to see the sunset, the crowds gather at the end of the day.
• Tigertail Beach: Once you reach the beach area, it is HUGE, so you can easily enjoy your own space.

And the winner is ???

I will let you decide. All I really know is that ...

Whatever beach you choose to seize,

let the sunshine and ocean breeze

put your mind and soul at ease.

And that is what we all need right now ... even if it only comes from looking at pictures of beaches while planning for that future beach vacation.

Life doesn't always go as we expect, but let's all hang in there and support each other. By taking time to notice and appreciate the ordinary everyday beauty around us ... whether during a walk in the snow or on a sandy beach ... you can enjoy an abundance of treasures!

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