Farewell Sanibel

In the morning, the rains stopped and all the colors came out. Forecast for more rain so we'd best get on the road. We did after a stop for a fantastic breakfast at some place with the word "cow" in it's name. The Island Cow? Doesn't sound right. I'll have to look it up later and update this post.

So a reverse film of our Sunday journey only at Tampa we jumped off at I-4 to head towards Orlando. No, no Magic Kingdom, just a day of shopping and an overnight stay before the final destination: Branford! Meanwhile, we did our best to resist Disney's siren's call and it was hard, my friends, might hard.

The rain caught up to us in the late afternoon and continued through the night but we did what we had come here for. Report from Branford is that it's been raining all day. No let up in sight. Could be in for a long dreary weekend.

And The Rains Came

The day promised hot and bright and humid – that's the way the morning started so why shouldn't the day follow? Because this is South Florida, that's why. To be in Florida means you're gonna get wet, just you wait. But we had a boat ride booked for the afternoon so we wiled away the time at the pool until it was time to take care of some business – both vacation- related and vacation-unrelated – and make sure the girls were sea- worthy.

We made it to the marina on time, boarded the boat and cast- off. Our captain's instructions included storm-related procedures and the ominous clouds over the Florida mainland made it so that we'd likely implement them. We arrived after a 30 minute boat ride over a calm sea and did some shell searching for about 45 minutes before being called back to the boat. The winds had picked up, the clouds were pressing closer, and Pine Island had disappeared. The ride back was entirely different, like the opening credits of Dangerous Catch – okay maybe an exaggeration, buy it was decidedly rougher. We made it back before the skies broke open. Extra bonus: we got a full refund. I would have been willing to pay half just for the boat ride alone.

We grabbed a late afternoon bite at PJ Otters before heading back to the room. The girls stared forlornly at the waves and the rain. Radar on TV showed this was from the outer bands of the hurricane in Texas and no let up in sight but it finally did let up and people returned to the beach and so did the girls, finally.

Afterwards, it was ice cream at the wonderful Pinochio's. Half the island had gotten there before us but none of them enjoyed their ice cream as much as we did.

Watching the Sun Set

Another morning stroll on the beach but in the other direction. Different! But back in time to get the girls up and fed and out the door for their appointment with the parasailors.

It'd be awesome to have pictures to post from my iPhone but due to a series of miscues and misunderstandings, that didn't happen. We didn't get to go with the girls as observers – don't get me started but the time to tell us we couldn't was before we paid and showed up at the dock. Of course, the time for us to ask to go would have been when we paid but, well, never mind. The girls went, fun was had, proof of same is in the pocket camera and I won't be able to upload those until we're home.

A snack and a cold drink afterwards and then back to the room. Tumbling in the sea for the girls, hanging by the pool for us as we waited for the dinner hour to roll around. It did and off we went to The Lazy Flamingo, for some no nonsense seafood – we'll have it fried, thank you very much.

Afterwards, a stop at a souvenir shop. Look at the time! Almost sunset. We hit the road – if you can call speeding along at 35 MPH, the posted speed limit, hitting the road – and headed for Captiva and arrived with a few minutes to spare. But a cloud bank muted what must be a daily display of beauty. But we were catching it as a family and that always makes the experience memorable.

On the Beach

We let the girls sleep in and headed out to Captiva. In the ten years since we were here last, a major hurricane had rolled through and we'd heard reports of major damage but if it were true, we saw no signs if it. The island looked as lush and green as we remember it. A sign of the times, though: nearly all of the big houses in Captiva are for sale. Word is you cam have one for only a few million. I've got an idea to form an LLC, buy one, rent it out, and get rich. Quick. Who's with me?

The day started out cloudy but the clouds soon burned off. The beach here, facing more directly west than where we're staying, was virtually empty. A long time visitor told us this is typical of the off season. Come back in October and forget about it. The water was lovely green and clear and calm. Lord I hope the oil stays away.

The girls called. Time to start the day for real. We picked them up and took them to rent scooters. Some jitters starting out – Clara crashed on an empty road, making a u- turn and got some minor bruises and scrapes. Rachel took a curve a little too fast and though it was scary she was unhurt. Just shaken and a bruised ego. Otherwise, a great ride covering much what we had seen in the morning.

We ate dinner at Mezzaluna. We still have the kids' cup from ten years ago. This time, no kids, just teens. Boogie boards in the Gulf afterwards. I joined 'em until black clouds and lightning far out at sea told us it was best to go in.

Sanibel

The sum rises on Sanibel Island, Florida.

We hit the ground running in Valdosta and raced down through Florida on I-75. Cloudless morning and warm but in Florida that won't last long. Soon the clouds piled high before us and the temperature climbed, compounded by the humidity. Not as bad as Oklahoma, I insist, but I'm overruled. Maybe it doesn't feel so bad because we're in vacation mode.

A stop at a Wal-Mart in north Fort Myers – hey, the same customers as back home! – and then the rest of the way in by Map Quest instructions. As always, their instructions are a little to literal; we went through downtown Fort Myers when I suspect we could have gone a little further south on 41 and picked up the causeway.

But we made it. Little changed since about 10 years ago when we were here last. Still paradise. Checked I'm, hit the beach – no oil! – and then a shower and drive in the cool evening to the Dairy Queen. The rest of the island was there.

Cloudy and windy this morning. May have to change plans. But let's enjoy the sunrise first.

Valdosta picture

Oops. Meant to send this picture with the previous post. I hate blogging with an iPhone! It's an iPad or netbook for me next trip.

Valdosta!

Second leg complete. Raced across Mississippi, Alabama, and down through Georgia to settle in Valdosta for the night. If you stand on your tippy toes, you can see Florida from here.

Another great drive through more beautiful states. A bit hazy though. No matter. And Atlanta gave us some traffic worries though it always does so we've come to expect it. Some day we'll slow down and savor a bit more of this interesting, and history-filled, region of our great country.

But not today. Today is our final push to Sanibel, the end of our 1500 mile journey. Some breakfast, some loading of the SUV, topping off the tank with some lesser-taxed gas, and we're off!

Sent from my iPhone

Olive Branch, Mississippi

The first leg of our three day journey to Florida is complete. A planned late start got us to Memphis by 8:30 and we jagged a bit south into Olive Branch. Oklahoma and Arkansas were achingly green, especially for this time of year The girls, as they've been all their lives, were perfect travelers, making the drive all that much easier. A great room, a great night's sleep, and what's looks to be a great breakfast.

Is this the title of the post?

And is this the body?

And does this picture of Emily come through?

Testing

Blogging from my iPhone, just because I can.

Another Reason Why I Like Tax Prof Blog

I subscribe to the RSS feed for Paul L. Caron’s Tax Prof Blog because he’s the go-to guy for tax law news. No doubt, he’s a great tax law professor but he’s also a great dad, which is another reason I subscribe to him. Here’s an example of what I mean:

My excitement today in teaching our Introduction to Law course to a section of our eager and talented 1Ls is tempered at having to bid farewell to my son Reed, who has left home for his freshman year of college.

Reed, it was a gut-wrenching and poignant weekend, as we hustled to get everything in order for your trip. I will never forget our sweet and tender conversations, as we relived the past 19 years and looked forward to your future in college and beyond. My heart aches that I will no longer know the daily joy of living in the same house with you, but I am comforted by Ecclesiastes 3:1:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

It is time for you to move on to the next season of your life. You are ready — emotionally, intellectually, physically, and spiritually — to take on the challenges of college. I am delighted that you are only nine hours away, and I am counting down the days until parents weekend and your first college soccer game.

Although I am bursting with pride at your many academic and athletic accomplishments, I am prouder still of simply who you are and the man you are becoming. Remember always that your mother and I love you beyond all measure. And that God loves you infinitely more. Being your father has been the great honor and privilege of my life.

Tax people are such softies.

>Posting By Blackberry

>I know blogger would rather I post remotely using e-mail but I’m posting this using my Blacberry to directly access Blogger. Could be troublesome to post pictures – I’ll use e-mail for that but for now this seems to work just fine.

Posting By Blackberry

I know blogger would rather I post remotely using e-mail but I’m posting this using my Blacberry to directly access Blogger. Could be troublesome to post pictures – I’ll use e-mail for that but for now this seems to work just fine.

DisneyWorld – Main Street

DisneyWorld – Main Street, originally uploaded by Pete Terranova.

Waiting for Clara and the girls. Sure it’s a cliched shot but so what? It’s Disney and either you get it or you don’t.
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From a window in a store at the Japan pavilion at Epcot

From a window in a store at the Japan pavilion at Epcot, originally uploaded by Pete Terranova.

It had rained and I liked how the light looked through the window. (You can see some of the reflection of the store inside.)
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Breakfast at Saratoga Springs

Breakfast at Saratoga Springs, originally uploaded by Pete Terranova.

First day at the resort, Clara, Emily, and I had breakfast at The Artist’s Pallette; Rachel slept in. The lamps are a shot of color to start the day.
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Disney achieved!

Disney achieved!, originally uploaded by Pete Terranova.

We only had about a three hour drive before we reached Disney. Checked in – the room is niiiiice but more about that later – and we were at the park by 2:00. Long, hard day but full of delights.
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Mississippi highway

Mississippi highway, originally uploaded by Pete Terranova.

We took a different route this year, dropping south from Memphis on US 78 through Mississippi to Birminham and on to Atlanta before heading south to Florida. Mississippi was lush and green, the day sunny and bright, as you can see. A beautiful morning, a very nice drive.

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