Before I even start I'm just gonna say that if you are ever questioning wether or not to take your "good" camera on vacation....TAKE THE DARN THING!!! I didn't take mine because I was afraid of getting sand in it or something silly like that...and I am still kicking myself for not taking it!!!
OH...and it appears I am atleast a little less smart than my smart phone...as I am having problems getting my pics transferred onto my computer...some that I really wanted to share on here :( So if and when my "smarts" kick in I will post the pictures!!!
OK....so we decided to take the kids to Sanibel Island, Florida and Gatlinburg, TN this summer!!!! We have been to Sanibel once before and LOVED it!!! So after we got packed up (the day before we left!!!) we were on our way!!!
We weren't too far into Florida when it started to down pour!!! That started the only bickering that went on the whole trip...and it was between Shannon and myself!!! We pulled over for awhile then started in again. And when I say started in again, I don't mean our "75 mph-can't-wait-to-get-there" driving....I mean my "30 mph-if-we're-lucky-flashers-on-please-don't-let-us-die-stop-yelling-at-me-Shannon" driving!!! He was afraid we would get rear ended....I can't believe all the crazies that kept on truckin' at 80+ mph when they couldn't see 2 ft in front of them!! We passed 2 accidents on the way...still praising God for his protection over us!!
After talking to Shannon's aunt who lives in FL. and after much prayer....we decided to fill up the van and head across the 3 bridges to Sanibel!!!! In Indiana if you have a tornado warning you head to the basement. However, if you are in Florida and have a tropical storm/hurricane warning you go far, far away!!! We didn't want to end up on Gilligans Isle 3 hr tour!!
We arrived and decided right away to get our things unpacked real quick and head on over to The Bubble Room!!! Besides the beach, it was the thing we all were looking forward to the most!!! The food is great, but the desserts and atmosphere are the best!!! Aaaaand these were some of the pics I really wanted to share on here....maybe later!!!
The first 2 days were filled with lots of wind and some rain...but still nice enough to go to the beach, etc....!!! Again...had a video to share....ugh!!! Finally the sun came out...and stayed out!! It was beautiful!!! We spent most of our time at the beach and the pool, then would head out somewhere new and fun for supper!! See below for some pics of the good eats!!
We took a few hours to see what if any damage there had been from Tropical Storm Debbi. There were some limbs down and some flooding on certain areas of the 2 islands....so again...praising God that it wasn't any worse!!!
I love all the green, lush trees, etc...very beautiful and nature oriented island. Speed limit is 35 everywhere!!! So laid back...SO ME!!! We had a little friend fly in and didn't seem afraid or even annoyed by all of us "tourists" taking pics of him...or her??!!! See pics below!!! Another day we were driving to Captiva (the 2 islands are "connected") and sure enough we had to brake for an alligator/crocodile (we still don't know which one for sure!!) strolling across the street!!! Too funny...and weird!!! Another highlight was the sunset dolphin boat tour we took!! We saw some super cute dolphins, a manatee ( I missed it), a few multi-million dollar homes (i-yii) and the most gorgeous sunset!!! Again...one of the videos I can't seem to download :(
We made one more trip to The Bubble Room before we left, then headed for Gatlinburg!! Set our gps and before we knew it we were in the Smokies!! This was a first for us and it was a little nerve-racking!!! We were pretty high up and just around a curve the traffic was stopped!! Oh boy!!! Dylan and I decided to walk ahead to see what had happened. There ended up being a car all burned up...but must have happened the day before because it wasn't smoking. 45 minutes later we were on our way. Well needless to say Gatlinburg was AMAZING!!! We could've spent more time there but headed out the next morning after seeing the "must sees"!! And after finding a SAAAAWEEET pair of cowboy boots!!! I had been wanting a pair for awhile and finally found a pair...and in Gatlinburg...even better!!!
We couldn't believe how many outlet stores there were not just in Florida but all the way home!! And the prices...really puts Michigan City to shame!!! We got some awesome deals!!!
It was an amazing trip all around (so much that we are trying to talk the kids into moving down south!!! hehe), but it was kinda...kinda nice to be home again!!!
Til next time,
Wanna be Island Girl :)
