Flibberty-Jibbitz: From the Mountains to the Shore

We recently took some time to get away. After all, it's a tough life out here in the fresh mountain air and lush scenery with all this space to run around in. Oh, and there's a tear in my beer, boo hoo...sniff.

So, we did what the snow birds do... packed up our brood and headed to south Florida. We visited my mom and JL who live there part-time, west TN part-time, AND their pond home part-time. Guess this would be thirds of the time. Whew! It's hard keeping up with the busy retiree lifestyle.

Course any time the Elkins family goes anywhere, it's always a sight to behold. For some reason, people freak out seeing five children...then completely loose all senses when they see five children on an airplane! You would think the Duggar family TV series people would desensitize the population to a small clan such as ours. Apparently not. The comments are always interesting...some encouraging and some just plain nosey. One man had the nerve to ask if we actually had to buy all the plane tickets. Another commented that we "needed another" (typical sarcastic comment we get), but mostly people are very kind and helpful. We sort get the celebrity status, which definitely makes for more pleasurable travel.

This was not really considered a vacation as Joe came with us, but had to work. The telecommuters office is anywhere. His clients don't really know if he's in Florida, the office or working out of a bathroom. As long as he has his phone and laptop, it's all good. It was nice having him with us because having to travel alone with many small children can fall in the spectrum of medieval torture...especially with delays and all the INconveniences with todays airline travel. Course, spending over 14 hours trapped in the van is not real fun either, so we chose what we hoped would be the lesser of the evils. Thankfully, it all worked out in our favor and we had a wonderful time...so get ready for way too many pictures.

Awaiting our flight...notice William, his favorite thing to do when the camera is pointing at him.

Hazy view entering Fort Meyers with the many islands and inlets

Another aeriel: beaches on the gulf are some of the prettiest in the country.

Almost there!

Can't wait to see Grandma.

So, Cape Coral where mom lives is sort of famous. Famous for the cutest little bird called the burrowing owl. You might remember the movie staring them called Owl Hoot several years ago. Cape Coral honors these critters every season with the Borrowing Owl Festival fundraiser, centered around awareness and protection of their habitats. Driving down the streets you can see their burrows on the edges of peoples properties, usually marked by a little cross that they perch on. They peek their little heads out during the day waiting for night where they get out and hunt. I caught this guy around dusk and was able to get quite close. Sometimes they will hiss if you get too close.

Took all of 2.5 seconds before the kids were in Grandmas pool. Remember it was COLD in TN when we left!

Even dad couldn't resist a dip.

Enjoying a Mexican patio dinner at Iguannamia.

We also took some time for a little cast and reel fishing at various places. Night fishing off the pier at Cape Coral Beach, a brackish water inlet didn't yield much for us. Although, the man beside us caught two Snook! You could see fish in the water, but they weren't biting. My moms husband JL was on a fishing trip on Lake Okeechobee while we were there and he said the same thing. I checked the Farmers Almanac before we left TN which said that the later part of the week was the better time to catch, but of course we couldn't stay THAT long.

Noah trying his hand before dark.

So, the original plan was to hit Sanibel-Captiva Island during our visit, but since it was the height of snow bird season and beginning of spring break we decided better of it. There's only one way onto the island and one way off, so you can imagine the traffic problems. We took the least touristy approach and visited a fabulous area more well-known to the locals called Lovers Key. Also, known for its prolific shelling, fishing and stunning beach. The story behind the name is that for years, Lovers Key was only accessible by boat and it was said that only lovers traveled to the island to enjoy its remote and solitary beach. Today it's one of four barrier islands that make up the area. It was also ranked one of the worlds top beach destinations several years back.

Only one way to get on Lovers Key Beach...a tram that takes you across the bridge overlooking the mangroves. A great secluded naturalist area including hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, etc.

Black, red and white mangroves...an estuary full of variety of fish and wildlife.

Sculpture left behind from several days before.

Williams first beach experience...and not exactly excited about it.

Many beautiful shells...even small conches.

Noah just itching to get wet.

We really tried to convince William that the sand and rushing water weren't all that scary.

You know me and my baby feet ahhh....and proof that he did get wet.

Shade at last...after coming from freezing temperatures to 85 degrees , acclimating was slow. Williams hair sporting the curly do thanks to the heat. Love it!

Lilly, our little collector definitely in her element visiting sea shell paradise.

The kids also enjoyed an hour and a half long pirate adventure cruise on the Gulf of Mexico. "Pieces of Eight" a 65-foot Spanish galleon replica complete with captain and crew.

All aboard!

Pelicans everywhere.

The pirate crew put on an entertaining theatrical performance, including face painting, songs, sound effects, treasure, photos, limbo and line dancing. Even I cut a rug! Sorry, that photo is on Grandmas camera...where it will remain...forever.

A rather ghastly pirate story.

Porpoises swam beside us for their own show!

Grandma getting some time with her littlest grand baby.

Anna displaying her newly painted face.

Trip complete with treasure chest finds and a map to take home. We concluded our day with a great water front dinner at Parott Key Caribbean Grill.

Joe did manage to break away one early morning for some fun at the Cape Coral Beach. Interesting side note: Cape Coral has the most cannals of any city in the world. Over 400 miles of cannals!

Evidence of fish, probably Mackerel.

I think each of our kids (minus William yet) have chased the sea gulls at the beach...this one is for you Aunt Karen!

A great morning to be at the beach.

Having a little photo fun with the natural lighting.

A favorite of Lilly...overexposed on purpose!!

Back at Lovers Key on another day. This heron hanging around the shore looking for fish and never seemed to care that we were there. Like it owned the place!

Anna stood right next to it for a long time. The birds in this area are a real hoot...no pun intended towards the little owls!

Anna sneaking in some fishing. Course no bites, but someone near us caught two Sheepshead.

Look here...we actually caught something!

Sufficiently water logged and sun burned, kids reluctantly posed for a last photo for Grandma. We had a very busy stay and loved seeing family. Our plane ride home was rather uneventful except the last leg when we realized that Josh McDowell was sitting in front of me. I had been conversing with him but never connected the name with the face until much later. For those of you not as familiar, he's a well-known author and speaker in Christian circles. Travels the world spreading the word about God. He was having a conference in Johnson City, TN that weekend. He and his team took quite the interest in our family, asking plenty of questions. They even helped us with our bags at baggage claim and chatted a bit more. Truly nice folks. Look on your bookshelves as you might just have one of his works!