Please understand that I KNOW how freaking spoiled we are! What a privilege to come to this secluded island every other year and claim it as our own. (And I try to tell the kids that every time, especially now that they are older). Captiva Island really has become our home away from home. We have spent many Octobers there, starting with bringing a 3 month old Mimi Harper until now.
It's pretty magical. And we're thankful.
****
We arrived in Ft. Myers on Saturday evening. Our tradition is to get some food, then go grocery shopping before getting to the island.
We rolled in around bedtime and I was reminiscing about how hard that drive and travel day was (pretty much EVERY time besides this one). Usually it involved a tied, cranky toddler or a newborn. How wonderful to have big kids!!
We got to our house that we were sharing with Reid, Lawren and their two boys and then turned in for the night.
We woke to this sight:
Baby Jax, ready for the water!
We were too!
First we had to visit Jensen's Marina to look for any manatees...
No manatees this time, but we did see this handsome fella.
(But we DID catch a manatee glimpse on another day).
***
It was off to the beach; the ocean was calling!
We did lots of swimming, resting and eating. It was fun to see these cousins all together.
(It was a little after this that Mimi and I went to Orlando)
Right after we got back from Orlando, we went fishing..the best part of Captiva (okay. They're all good).
I love pelicans.
The next day these boys went golfing...
And these guys went on a walk to Starbucks and shopping.
Beach evenings are the best.
Then some Turrills fishing, early morning style.
Captain Jimmy, just making out with a fish.
Buds!
***
The girls got off the boat and had a girls lunch date at the famous Bubble Room.
Celebrating Patty's Bday!
(That's Patty's Dad...Victor Mature).
I want that...
Love Lazy Flamingo Restaurant! Can't beat catching fish and getting it cooked to eat that night...
Pete and Patty
Hutchinsons!
Turrills...Bode may be sleeping between Ben and I.
My best morning in Captiva...a great run. FREEDOM. Peace. Adrenaline. Music and ocean.
The higher the adrenaline, the more pictures I take.. ;)
I just had to share my cool beach findings with Mimi when I got back..
Bird feet..
This is where I felt like I stumbled upon a Nature Diorama at the Natural History Museum...
Top five best run of my life. I usually poop out on the beach..even though we're at sea level and not at a high altitude it's hard to run in humidity (and also hard to run when you think you could just be sitting being lazy by the water). I had super human energy that day (or just a high desire to be alone). It was a gift.
xoxo
Then I returned to these yahoos.
(after a Hutch photo shoot, then it was our final night dinner at the legendary Doc Ford's).
Swimming = tired Bode
Cuties!
The next day we headed home (but not after a good round of mini golf)
Then it was drop off the rental car, head to the airport...
Two flights...
Chasing the sunset...
then HOME! To our newly painted kitchen!! HOORAY!
Another great Captiva trip in the books!
xoxo
