MARCO ISLAND FLORIDA ! FOR THE SHELL OF IT!~

Tony and I had this trip planned for about a year. We went with the "Xperts",  Deb and Alivia! We drove to Bountiful on Tuesday the 15th and flew out early for Florida on Wednesday. Most of the day was spent in the air and in airports waiting for the next connection. Alivia flew out a few hours before us and so when we arrived, she had the rental car and groceries.  We flew into Fort Meyers and then drove and hour and a half to Marco Island. We got settled into the condo and were ready to get up early the next day with the low tide.

Because of the last 2 hurricanes, the pan shells have washed up with a vengeance. They are not pretty at all and the beach is full of them. However, along with them, there are a lot of other shells that have washed up as well.  GOOD PICKINS!!

This is beach in front of the condo's. There was a dock by our condo, but they have piled HUGE rocks up against the dock and it was just too treacherous for Deb and me to traverse. SO, we walk about 10 minutes to an access to the beach on Marco.  

Then we sit and sift and pick through piles of shells! AND, I mean piles of shells! Alivia told us that they have NEVER seen so many shells on any of their 2 previous trips. She said this trip was epic!

I had a low to the ground chair that I sat in, but  if I wasn't centered just right, it would tip over when I sat down. There were many spills I took from that chair. Tony broke his, trying to get out of it once.  Not so sure they were a good purchase. 

Trying to get a picture of all of us....not too good at selfies. lol

Some of the BIG ROCKS they had along the edge were encased with shells!! Pretty amazing!

Someone made a Christmas Tree with Pan shells and Florida Fighting conches ! Pretty clever! There was a Halloween one a day later, but I didn't get a picture of it.

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A beautiful picture of the ocean on our way out to

 Keewaydin Island. 

Keewaydin Island a little after Dawn. We found some BIG shells on this Island and the Holy Grail of shells (the Junonia) was found by Deb! Alivia web crazy when she found it! lol

Starfish

Rose Murex

Rose Murex

A Gaudy Natica

STARFISH

Starfish

The Junonia and an Alphabet Cone!!

THE JUNONIA!  The Prize of the trip!

A trip to Kise Island. You literally walk over shells galore! 

A couple was fishing off our dock and caught a little shark! Deb got the picture and when we went down to see, they were gone. They were trying to get the hook out so they could put him back.

Back on Marco Island for the last two days. 

I mean, look at that pile of shells!! How could we not come home with a load??

One day we drove to Naples because they had a COSTCO. Tony was going to return the chairs he bought but discovered he didn't buy them at a COSTCO! It rained while we were there and a beautiful rainbow appeared afterwards!

A TRUE TULIP

It was an EPIC TRIP for shells! Alivia said they have never seen so many shells on either one of their previous 2 trips!  However, it totally kicked my butt! I was so exhausted by the end of the week that on our way home, I got sick! We stopped in Snowville and I had the shakes soooo bad! I had to turn on my seat warmer and get a blanket out of the back and cover up. Then I had to get a plastic bag and proceeded to puke my guts out for miles! Now that we are home, I have broke out in a MOUTH FULL of cold sores!! I have never had so many in one given time. They are so painful! I have had NO ENERGY and have slept a lot!! Today, I am finally feeling a wee bit better, (except for my mouth) and so I think I;m gonna live! lol It was a great trip but not one I want to repeat!