Shelling

We're going
shelling today!

Sea shells
are one
of the best reasons
to visit the Gulf Coast!


I love
their
colors!

...their shapes!

...their
liveliness!

So today
we hop
on Cap'n JR's boat...

...wave
good-bye
to Tom...

...and head out
into Estero Bay!

We troll
past osprey nests...

...sunning
cormorants...

I scan
the mangroves
looking for manatees...

...while the kids
take turns
choosing the luxurious
houses they want
to live in.

Me?

I'll take a house
that has saved
their mangroves.

- Sound the horns!

Land Ahead!

We've arrived
at Lover's Key!

- Let's explore!

Look for shells!

- What do you think
about this one, KC?

- I'll take
a picture!

Kick off
your shoes!

Beaches
are for barefoot!

This
is the life!

Al and T
wander the beach
deep in conversation...

KC and Nicky
are still after shells...

A lone rider
enjoys the surf.



I wonder....

...will there be
any beaches left
with climate change
raising the oceans?

I enjoy
finding
a single
pink shell...

...a nesting gull...

The kids
enjoy
being together!

KC leaves
next week
for study abroad
in Egypt.

Al is talking
about being
in Chile
organic farming
next year.

How many more years

will we vacation

together

as a family?

Time to return
to hotel...

Back on
the boat...

JR asks
Laura and Emily
to help him
steer the boat home....

...while he
investigates
the shells
we've gathered.

He tells us stories
of intrigue
and adventure...

...in the lives
of these little
shell creatures.

My kids
clown around
with their shells.

Every time
they see
a pelican fly...

...they hum
the tune
to Jurassic Park.

Back
at hotel...


girls lounge...

While I go out
to watch
my favorite egret
frolic
in the waves.

A glimpse
of the
beautiful
snowy
feathers...

...that almost
caused
extinction
of this beautiful bird
for ladies' hats.

Thank you,
Audubon Society.

It's been
a long
shelling day
today...

...and it's
time

to

rest....

...and we enjoy




....another
Florida
sunset.