The Essential Beachcomber

When you arise in the morning, (Credit:  Capt. Brian Holaway ) think about what a precious privilege it is to be alive  (Credit:   Capt. Brian Holaway ) to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. - Marcus Aurelius (Credit:   Capt. Brian Holaway ) You still have time to enter the giveaway for a Shellabration 2012 t-shirt.    Click here  to read the post & enter before  the winner is picked on 2/1/12.

Oh my goodness ya'll!  I felt so guilty about going to Sanibel today without you - well I just had to get you something.   Okay, at least one person will get something.   The island is gearing up for one big shelling party - Shellabration 2012 honors the  75th anniversary of The Sanibel Shell Fair & Show.  From February 17th through March 4th the Island will be shellabrating from ding to dong (or Darling) If you would like to join in by wearing a Shellabration 2012 t-shirt here's all you have to do: -leave me a comment sharing which sea shell is your favorite. -for a 2nd entry, turn a friend on to TEB.  Have them leave a comment telling me you sent them over. I'll announce the winner of the Shellabration 2012 t-shirt on February 1, 2012. This is what Blind Pass on Sanibel looks like  before sunrise.  My partner-in-shelling-crime this morning (very early morning) is my cousin  Beach Babe.  She's a farm girl from ...

This is Monday's tide chart for Sanibel Island.  Notice the big dip at 6am.  That is a minus .08 low tide which translated into beachcomber language = Hotdigity dawg! I'm on my way to Sanibel! I'll set my alarm for 3am.  After I hit the road & drink one of these, I'll be in Sanibel  in 1 1/2 hours. I'll be there in time to see this. (Credit:   http://www.foreverwherever.com ) And find some of these. (Credit:   http://www.cafepress.com/sanibelslacker.503030918 ) Woo Hoo!

One of my favorite places to go shelling on the planet is Tigertail Beach on Marco Island in South Florida.  Tigertail is not for the casual beachcomber.  There is a 50 yard wide, 3 foot deep lagoon to be crossed to get to the beach.  The good shells are at the north end of the beach which is another 2 mile walk out & 2 miles back.  No concession stands, no potties, no kidding.  My shelling buddy last year was my niece Schweckie.  We had an amazing time &  would have liked to have gone again with Schweckie this year but she's been a little busy being a new mommy. I'm re-posting my visit from last year & am hoping I will have new pictures soon if I can get the tides & the temperature to cooperate. (Originally posted January 19, 2011) The shells stretch for miles on Tigertail Beach As an avid sheller I have a bucket list of places I would like to visit. Some of my shelling dreams like Costa Rica or Belize will require some p...

My last post showed pictures of a before-sunrise beach walk on Boca Grande. This is the other half of my beach walk on the southern tip of  Gasparilla State Park which is located on the island of Boca Grande.  Known for it's pristine beaches, historic resorts, & the world's biggest Tarpon tournament, I'm fortunate to have this paradise 15 minutes from where I live.  When I can't drive the 2 hours south to Sanibel Island, Boca Grande is the next best thing. The Lighthouse is home to a collection of Boca Grande history .  The building to the right is where the park ranger lives - lucky guy! The port of Boca Grande was established in the 1880's to support the local phosphate industry.  The remains of the port make a great sea bird sanctuary. I'd live there if I was a bird.  The old phosphate dock  serves a useful re-purpose for the local bird population. Looking south across the channel is where all the big Tarpon tournaments take pl...