© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com




You want me to be happy, don’t you?
DON’T YOU? 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
A reader wrote and asked me to opine about The Blue Dolphin, a small, lush resort on West Gulf Drive, Sanibel Island. I have visited my friend Christene of Our Vanilla Life when she has lodged there, and stayed overnight one time.
The Blue Dolphin sits on a stretch of West Gulf Drive that has been known for good shelling. About a half-mile down the beach is a place called “The Rocks”, where some wonderful things, including live tulips, have been known to congregate. The two units I’ve been inside were roomy and comfortable. Both had a separate bedroom, and a sleeper sofa in the “great room”.
I liked the front porch area at the unit Chris rents each year. The entire property is lushly landscaped; not only is it beautiful but it helps to provide some privacy. The only drawback is that it isn’t screened-in, so once the noseeums come out for the evening, you must abandon the area and scurry inside.
One of the things I like best about the Blue Dolphin is that some of the units have a back door. Right outside the door is a spigot to wash your feet and a shelf to lay out your shells to dry. And the back door leads right into the bathroom, so you just bring your wet, sandy self/children in that way instead of traipsing through the whole unit.
If you don’t feel like lounging by your unit, there’s a covered lounge area facing the Gulf where you can sit and read a book while enjoying the shade and the view. You may see dolphins hunting, or pelicans diving for their dinner, or else shore birds foraging in the surf. Or you may just close your eyes and let the rhythm of the waves lull you into a nice afternoon nap. You may not be able to bear to keep them closed for long, though – this is what your view is from the shady lounge area.
And then, there’s the sunset. Nothing compares!
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
The Boardwalk as seen from the plaza between the Swan and Dolphin resorts
Here’s that wedding pavilion I was telling you about last week; I think I’m standing in front of Disney’s Yacht Club
And speaking of the Yacht Club… as seen from the restaurant area of the Boardwalk
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
🙂 There’s a “wedding pavilion” on Disney’s Boardwalk – well, I’ve never seen a wedding happening there, but it is the PERFECT spot for one. It’s a beautiful wooden structure with some wonderfully detailed arches that make a perfect frame for pictures. Since the lake that the Boardwalk follows is crescent-shaped, you can stand at one end, where the pavilion is, and photograph the other end. Here’s what my camera saw when I stood there on a blustery day in December. Enjoy!
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Click the photos to see if there is a larger version available in Flickr
I love the banks of the lagoons at EPCOT during the International Flower and Garden Festival, because of the all the fun shapes planted into the flower beds. I’ve seen hearts, stars, half-moons and of course, “hidden” Mickey heads. Last spring, the landscaping included two huge, red “hidden” Mickey heads in these locations. One was very close to the glass pyramids that house the Imagination! attraction. The other was quite close to the butterfly house on the other side of the park. Here we go – enjoy!
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
In Walt Disney World’s EPCOT theme park, just across the walkway from the China pavilion in the World Showcase, there is a certain rock formation that is distinctive because it has a “doughnut hole” shape cut into it. Many of you reading this may recognize it. Here’s what it looks like on a normal day in May.
During the winter holiday season, that same rock formation gets dressed up in red, China’s favorite color – we discussed this yesterday! Here’s what the area looks like adorned with festive red lanterns.
And here’s what it looks like when you are standing in the exact right spot on the path – the “doughnut hole” perfectly frames a lovely young tree that grows on an island in the middle of World Showcase lagoon.
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
During the winter time, even here in Florida it can be chilly and bleak. Right now, we’re having an unusually long cold snap, with temps plunging into the lower 30s at night and never making into the 60s during the day. So I went looking for outdoor, watery scenes full of flowers and color and spectacular skies for today’s post. Here’s EPCOT during the Flower and Garden Festival this past May (2009). The Festival will begin again in March – that’s only 2 months away! In the meantime, photographs and memories can keep us going until spring comes once more.
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
I like this fountain – it’s right in front of Spaceship Earth as you enter the park from the front/monorail entrance. Unfortunately, the view of it from the front of the park is obstructed by those silly Leave-A-Legacy “tombstones” (c’mon, those of you who have seen them, don’t tell me that the whole thing doesn’t sort of remind you of a cemetery!). Maybe someday, Disney will restore the entry to EPCOT and move the silly monuments to someplace where they won’t mess with the scenery!
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Are you going to Walt Disney World this year? I’m going in 16 more sleeps! Meeting my brother and sister-in-law there for his birthday/their anniversary. How many sleeps left for you? And when you get there – what will YOU celebrate?
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
🙂 I was driving through a sudden shower, on my way over the causeway to a birthday dinner celebration for my friend Cheryl, when I happened to glance to my left and saw this rainbow hanging out near Fort Myers Beach. I pulled over at the first opportunity. If you look closely, you can see that it’s actually a double, which had started to fade by time I found a place to stop. This is one of the BEST things about living in Southwest Florida. The skies are so big and dramatic, with towering clouds and beautiful rainbows 🙂
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
🙂 A waterfall splashes down the side of “the Canadian Rockies” in EPCOT. But, hey – what’s that up there on that ledge?
Wow, it’s shoes! Did someone go swimming, perhaps? Or did some Rocky Mountain hiker drop them from on high? Or maybe this is the handiwork of some rather high-spirited Walt Disney World guests. I doubt I’ll ever find out! My friend Deb first spotted them, and then I confirmed it with my 10x optical zoom. Fun stuff!
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
🙂 On Sunday, I drove out to Sanibel Island to hang out with my friends Gary and Tootie. Shortly after I arrived, we proceeded to “Santiva”, as the the area near the bridge between Sanibel and Captiva is known. We had lunch at the Sunset Grill, and then we went to look at Blind Pass. The pass between Sanibel and Captiva had filled itself in years ago, but a recent dredging project opened it up again. It is hoped that the flow of salt and brine through the pass will improve the health of the estuaries on the bay side of the islands, and also improve fishing in the area. Tootie said that it’s been reported that sharks are using the pass quite a bit already. 😯
As we stood on the bridge watching the water swirl under the bridge and break on the newly carved shores, Gary and I realized that one of our prime shelling beaches had in fact been removed by the dredging! You can click here to see all the gifts from Gustav (one year ago on September 1st 2008), and then if you want to see more, click here to see what came later in the month when Ike passed through (September 22nd, 2008). The place where we’d scored great hauls of shells after storms last year was now gone, and the swirling waters were in it’s place. We contemplated this for a moment, and then we saw the skateboard. Tootie observed that you’re supposed to bring a surfboard, not a skateboard! We were there for another ten minutes or so, but the owner never showed up, and the mystery of the skateboard in the sand remains unsolved.
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
🙂 Strolling around the World Showcase late one afternoon last fall, I spied these two lanterns by the lagoon, with the blue puffy-clouded sky and Spaceship Earth as a backdrop. On the lower right of the photo, you can see one of the Friendship boats I wrote about yesterday. It’s fun to note how accents like these lanterns can change in style as you make your way from one country to the next. Most of these lanterns are extinguished for the “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” fireworks and media show that happens at 9:00 PM each evening.
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
❓ How can I tell this is a militant sheller? Well, for one thing, he’s carrying “the claw”, an implement of liberation and retrieval which exists in the toolkit of most serious seashell seekers.
Don’t bother googling for “the claw” – the actual name is The Treasure Scoop. Whatever you call it, it’s a handy device. You can use it to dig or else to fish something out of the water without having to perform the “Sanibel Stoop”.
The other reason I can tell this is a militant sheller is that I actually know him. Personally, even! 😉 Some of you reading this may even recognize him. How much trouble do we think I’m in for posting this? Personally, I think it’s a lovely shot and he’s going to like it. Well, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Here’s a shot I took of the fountain show in action but from the other perspective as compared to last week’s photos. The geosphere, also known as Spaceship Earth or “that big golf ball” is in the photo as well. Now we’re going to blow up just a small section of the photo –
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
🙂 Seems like I’m in a Downtown Disney kind of mood so far this week. There’s a big Lego store at Downtown Disney, and they have decorated the outside with life-size-and-beyond Lego creations, including this dragon in Village Lake.
This is only part of him – he’s a rather long serpent, and to get all of him in the shot, from this angle anyway, would require standing so far away, you would not be able to see his tongue hanging out or his googly eyes. Despite his sharp-looking Lego fangs, I think he looks sort of doofy and humorous, don’t you? Not scary at all, at all!.
My favorite Lego creation down there was a life-size tourist with a bald head, sitting on the bench taking a nap. Every now and then, it would start snoring 😉 I’m not sure he is still there, but next time I’m in The World, I’ll check it out and report back!
OK, so I wasn’t “wordless” this week – so, sue me! 😀
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© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Sea sponges, shells and other fun stuff rolls ashore at “the rocks” on one of Sanibel Island’s West Gulf Drive beaches.
Subscribers bring me JOY! 🙂
You want me to be happy, don’t you?
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© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Click each picture to see a larger version in Flickr
All photos taken at J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Sanibel Island, Florida – February 21st, 2008
(a Wordless Wednesday post)
(also a Watery Wednesday post)
Subscribers bring me JOY! 🙂
You want me to be happy, don’t you? DON’T YOU? 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
(a Wordless Wednesday post)
(also a Watery Wednesday post)
click the photo to see it in Flickr
Subscribers bring me JOY! 🙂
You want me to be happy, don’t you? DON’T YOU? 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Which Way Do You Look?
(a Wordless Wednesday post)
(also a Watery Wednesday post)
click the photo to see it in Flickr
Subscribers bring me JOY! 🙂 You want me to be happy, don’t you? DON’T YOU? 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
The Feast – Sanibel Island, Florida
(a Wordless Wednesday post)
(also a Watery Wednesday post)
click the photo to see it in Flickr
Birds feast on scallops stranded by the tide on a West Gulf Drive beach. Sanibel Island, Florida. January 31st 2009.
Subscribers bring me JOY! 🙂 You want me to be happy, don’t you? DON’T YOU? 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
(a Wordless Wednesday post)
(also a Watery Wednesday post)
click the photo to see it in Flickr
Subscribers bring me JOY! 🙂 You want me to be happy, don’t you? DON’T YOU? 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
(a Wordless Wednesday post)
(also a Watery Wednesday post)
click to view a larger version on Flickr
Subscribers bring me JOY! 🙂 You want me to be happy, don’t you? DON’T YOU? 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Blind Pass Sunrise, Sanibel Island, Florida
(a Wordless Wednesday post)
(also a Watery Wednesday post)
Subscribers bring me JOY! 🙂 You want me to be happy, don’t you? DON’T YOU? 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
(a Wordless Wednesday post)
Bird temple at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A fluffy blue and green bird feeds as the goddess looks on from the background
Subscribers bring me JOY! 🙂 You want me to be happy, don’t you? DON’T YOU? 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
(a Wordless Wednesday post)
click photo to see larger version in Flickr
Subscribers bring me JOY! 🙂 You want me to be happy, don’t you? DON’T YOU? 😉
© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Pizzafari’s Gabled Roof, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
(a Wordless Wednesday post)
BTW – i was asked to enter a my photo of the Daisy Duck jack-o-lantern in a contest on Flickr. There are so many photos there that are MUCH better than mine, I’m not even going to ask you to vote for mine, but you should check them out. The last one is TRULY awesome, and I would LOVE to know how he did it! CLICK HERE to go have a look! (I’m no. 15)
RELATED POSTS:
More Disney’s Animal Kingdom posts
My previous Wordless Wednesday entries
Visit other Wordless Wednesday participants
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