Sun and Fun

Tues. Jan 8, 2008. 1:30 pm. Captiva, Florida. Arrived Sun. eve. Snack at the bar. The Christmas lights were still on the palm trees and our cabin. They are removing them all now. Charming. But somehow it doesn't fit my thinking. I'm used to lights etc. in the snow and cold. Hah!! So, it turned warm when we arrived. It was about 75-80 on the golf course with Kim Sat. afternoon. Same here on the beach today. We rented 2 old style wooden arm chairs and an umbrella. Carols walking the beach, bird watching, shell picking, waves kicking. I sit and listen to Sibelius 2nd Sym. and read Oliver Sachs thank you. Yesterday, Monday, we rented bikes and went into town. Shops, restaurants, homes, mucho birds, fauna and flora. It's really beautiful here. So we visited an Antiques shop Rudy would love. We had been there 2 years ago. The couple who own it spend 6 months on Captiva and 6 months in Maine. They have beautiful stuff beautifully displayed. Carol saw a glistening diamond ring from the 1920s. Set in platinum. Very hip. We got it. She's never had a real fine wedding band, so this is another celebration of our 43 years of marriage. After the year I just put this woman through she deserves this vacation and that ring. We're very happy. So, then lunch on our front porch. We are in the Ding Darling cottage, #106 on the "Tween Waters map. If you checkout the web cam you may see us walking, bending to pickup shells etc. After lunch yesterday we went to the pool, hot tubs, and bar. Sipping pina coladas and margaritas while reading and listening, and them hot tubbing and swimming. I love to do laps and try all my strokes. Today we may skip the pool to stay on the beach since we have chairs there. A lotta sun today. At 5 pm yesterday we got on the beach to sit and dig the incredible sunset. Mind you , sitting on this beach is just like the Corona beer commercials!! Today at 4 pm instead of digging the sunset from the beach we will take a guided Kayak tour in the bay, to an island, etc. during the sunset. Very cool. That will be some exercise. Tonight the band is playing in the bar. We met Michael and the Modulators 2 years ago here. They are from Cincinatti and they do this gig each year. They come for 2 weeks, live like guests at the hotel/beach/pool, and play New Years Eve and a few other nights. Tonight I am their mystery guest!! Hah!! Tomorrow morning we're driving over to the Ding Darling Nature Preserve and will hike some trails etc. More about that next post. I'll try to send a picture of us on our porch here. If it doesn't showup today, look for it on the next post. Sometimes the systems are a little funny, and I don't have access to the latest photo untoil I reboot or something. In any case, Happy New Year. Keep cool. Don't get too sunburned or too sweaty up there!! JIMBO