Gabi On The Go: Vamos a la praya!

It's a beach day! For the first time since we got here, we headed to the beach. We left a bit too late (11:45) and an hour later we were the happiest people on the planet, enjoying the sunshine and the white sand.

We got caught in a bit of traffic getting into the Sanibel Island, on the Gulf of Mexico. Although it was a Tuesday, it didn't matter because every day here - for the retired people - is a holiday!

To get onto the island you have to pay $6.00, which I think is fine, since the beaches have nice and clean washrooms, outdoor showers and security cameras (???)!

FROM WIKIPEDIA: Sanibel Island is an island located on the Gulf coast of Florida, just offshore of Fort Meyers. In 2000, it had an estimated population of 6,064 people. Located within Lee County, Sanibel is a barrier island– a collection of sand on the leeward side of the Gulf Stream from the more solid coral-rock of Pine Island.

The city of Sanibel incorporates the entire island, with most of the city proper at the east end of the island. After the Sanibel causeway was built to replace the ferry in May 1963, the residents fought back against overdevelopment by establishing the Sanibel Comprehensive Land Use Plan in 1974 helping to maintain a balance between development and preservation of the island's ecology. A new, higher bridge without a bascule (drawbridge) having to open for tall boats and sailboats, was completed in late 2007.

Thanks in part to the new causeway, Sanibel is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination known for its beaches, shelling, and wildlife refuges. More than half of the island is made up of wildlife refuges, the largest one is the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The Island also hosts the Sanibel Historical Village and a variety of other museums and theaters.In August 2004 Hurricane Charley hit the island causing mandatory evacuation for the island's residents and resulting in the most damage done to the island in 44 years.

The drive there is just fantastic! The skies were really blue, and the breeze gives you a cool welcome when you open the car window and feel the nature.

I love the vegetation!

After having a bit of a hard time finding a parking spot, here we are!

It was hot, but not hot enough for the ladies to go swimming. So we enjoyed our quiet time on the sand reading, talking, relaxing...

Another showing off my belly moment!

Beautiful couple Margie and Mark! Thanks for the vacation, you two!

We had to leave earlier than we wished, at around 4pm. For two reasons: we were not prepared and didn't bring food. There are no vendors or business along the beach areas. And also, we had plans to have people over for drinks at 5pm. But it was a great time, anyway, and we will definitely go back!

This was my last chance to photograph the pelicans flying all over us, when crossing the bridges. I know it's not the best shot, but you can see they were there. One flew over, right beside my car window! Huge animals!