As I age, it’s funny how certain things make me worry when I’m about to travel. I don’t travel often, but when I do I worry a lot about things. Little things.
A few days before I left for my trip, I glanced out the window at the ground and saw this rabbit foraging for grass next to the snow. Aw…poor rabbit, “I’d take you with me for Florida, but you’ve likely got spring plans of your own.”
“When I return, I hope there will be more green grass for you!”
I spent longer than normal prepping for my trip. This was the first trip since I was in college, decades ago where I traveled to/fro somewhere on my own. I took 3 weeks to pack for this trip and to verify all the TSA things I was supposed to do correctly. I’ve become such a worrywart with a tiny bladder to plan around. Sigh…
Me to Mr: Please take a picture of me so you know what I was wearing in case I go missing.
Mr. delivered me to the airport. I stepped out of the car, grabbed my luggage from the backseat, and hugged & kissed him goodbye until we’d see each other again a week later.
I confidently entered the huge MSP airport, scanned the area to find my way to the bathroom, navigated through TSA, and got to my gate with plenty of time. I felt proud that I survived so far, with 2 hours to spare. If I remember correctly, I found two other bathrooms on my way to the gate. You know, just to be sure to take advantage of the opportunity. When I was young, finding a bathroom before a flight was of little concern.
At my gate, I noticed a lot of families (spring breakers no doubt) and my age or older folks heading to FL, all of us, less than tan and ready for sunkissed bodies.
I boarded the plane and saw the rain on the windows. Oh, dear, will my tiny bladder make it until we land?
I smiled at the contradiction between the vehicles on the ground and the plane I boarded. I never noticed anything like that when I was young.
The pilot announced our flight was delayed due to a missing wheel that had to be inspected. 🙄
My nervous bladder kicked in. When the pilot announced that the plane was all certified as safe with 7 wheels instead of 8, I bolted to the plane’s bathroom and back to my seat before we taxied out to the runway. The plane took off 54 minutes later than planned.
I paid extra for the flight to be closer to the bathrooms and in the front of the plane to look out the window like I did as a youngin. I think the stewardess could tell I was a little nervous.
I said, “Yes, I’ll take a margarita, please.” She smiled reassuredly as she gave me two. I drank them both and ate the packed snack from my bag.
It’s so fun to look down on the world below from the window of a plane. Somewhere over FL, we started our descent.
We landed. I exited the plane and found the first available bathroom, my luggage, and my friend who picked me up at the arrival section of the airport. I texted Mr. and my kids that I landed and was safely in her car! My week-long vacation had started!
My friend asked me, “What do you want to do this week?”
Me: “I have no big ideas, just enjoy the sun, and your company, and admire the palm trees and blue skies.”
“Dip my toes in the sand and the surf.”
Visit Fort Myers beach to see the aftermath and reconstruction phases since Ian. It was such a gorgeous site back in April of 2021.
Sadly most of the pier is still missing. The foundation pillars were solid as a rock though.
Yet, Margaritaville survived and is thriving.
The Lah De Dah Bar & Grill’s peel-and-eat shrimp were fun to eat, but mighty messy. The spicy margarita went well with the meal. And the bathroom was very nice for a beach resort.
Oh, of course, “Walk in the sand and admire the view of the ocean waves crashing against the rocks and sifting through the shells washed up on the beach.”
Florida doesn’t lack sea shells on the beach. Look closely at the shells below after the water splashes, you can see many colors like Diamond, Quartz, Crystal, and/or PURPLE. My friend and I joked that it was a Shell(ey) kind of beach adventure.
This trip, I picked up more shells than last time. My favorite one was the dark purple one.
See it near the other pinkish/purple ones in the lower right-hand corner?
I returned home with that one, the rest my friend will be bringing back when she returns to our town for the summer months. I placed the purple shell next to the one I found last trip. The frame sits next to my desk. I smile at them & the memories of our girls’ trip every morning.
On the morning of the Eclipse, Barefoot Beach was so calm. I love the soft beachy colors.
One of the coolest things I saw at the beach that morning was a young mom, sitting in a folding chair on the edge of the surf. She was holding her baby (probably around 1 year old) on her lap. Together they were watching the ocean wake up to the sunrise. The baby was cooing and smiling. I couldn’t help but smile too. What a lucky little kiddo to learn at such a young age to appreciate the endless and far-reaching beauty of the sea.
Listening to the soft waves, feeling my full bladder from too much morning coffee, I scanned the beach for the nearest porta-potty. I thought to myself, I might be sitting on a beach in a chair with a diaper on watching the waves too someday. 😆
My flight home was bumpy and the landing was SO rough. I’m surprised we didn’t lose a wheel or more. I was glad to see Mr. and to return home. I flew down on Delta and returned on Sun Country. I didn’t have a beverage or a snack on the return flight. Neither flight was overly comfortable, staff was pleasant on both flights. If I had to vote on the best airline, Delta would win.
Back home, it’s not as green or pink as the site of the flamingos at Wonder Gardens.
But, the Sandhill Cranes have returned and are ready for spring. They look kind of like northern Flamingos, right?
Yesterday, as I finished unpacking, I paused often to look out the window at the spring-like day. I smiled at the sites of green grass popping up here. I also discovered that Ms. Bunny had been busy while I was away. We have 6-7 baby bunnies in our backyard. 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🤔 I fear future scoundrel stories are in the works as I ponder flower gardens for this summer.
But, dang…the little rascals are so DARN cute at this stage! I was able to catch 6 of them in one photo.
There was more to the trip, for now, I think I’ve shared enough. 😉
Post Inspiration: Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: ends with “ound.” Find a word (or words) that ends with “ound” and use it any way you’d like. Have fun! Terri Webster Schrandt’s Sunday Stills Apr 14 Monthly Color Challenge: Diamond, Quartz, Crystal and/or PURPLE and Donna at Windkisses for Lens-Artists Challenge Lens-Artists Challenge #295 – Rock Your World
PS – Forgive me for my slow response to the last post and probably this post – I hit the road running back to work the day after I returned and am still working through my WP issues. Your patience and support are so heart-warming! Thank YOU! I’ll catch up with you this week!
You captured many beautiful views, Shelley! I’m glad you had another fun trip. The bunnies are so cute! Scoundrels or not. You were in Fort Myers? Was the downtown area rebuilt? I’ve never been there, my sister sold her home there after the hurricane. Have a great new week!
Thank you, John. I saw a lot of wonderful views, and didn’t have my camera ready to capture the moments. I guess that meant I was in vacation-mode!
Yes, those scoundrels are cute. We’ve been having fun watching them grown.
It was a 30 minute or so drive to Fort Myers. There are several places that have rebounded, but, there are so many empty lots and spaces. The construction companies are not lacking for work. Food trucks are popping up. The whole area by the pier took a big hit. The number of people on the beach was nice to see. I remember you mentioning about your sister selling her home. The prices of homes now are triple the cost of what they were in 2020. 🙄
I hope you’re having a great week – and that the weather is nice. We’re heading into our first big spring showers, we need the rain, but could do without the wind gusts!
I saw on the weather channel this morning that there are some big storms heading for Michigan, I suppose you’ll get that rain too. I’m glad you had a good trip!
Yes, the storms rolled through. I jumped when I heard the thunder crack and the wind blowing. We had gusts up to 50 mph. When it gets lighter out we’ll have to check to see if any damage. I think MI was to get worse storms though.
Yes, me too, I’m glad it was a great trip.
I agree, Michigan got hit a bit harder. We had 70mph gusts here a few weeks ago, that was scary.
It looks like you and Mrs. Bunny had a good week. Did you keep the shell that looks like a tiny skull? I’m not sure I would, but…
Yes, we had a good week. The mama bunny seems to have moved on from the little ones. That isn’t always a good sign. I’m impressed with how smart the little tikes are when it comes to dodging the hawk swooping down at them.
That’s funny you noticed the tiny skull face – that’s why I picked it up in the first place. Oh, and my friend has this bright idea that we’ll make shell art together when she returns to WI. I thought the funny face might make for a funny art piece.
Sounds like a restful vacation Shelley – I hope you don’t see snow again until October or November and this warm getaway will live on with memories and a slew of pretty shells. Glad Mister did not have to send a posse to look for you and how nice to know the plane works well with one less wheel – yikes! The bunnies sure are cute, even if they insist on nibbling on your plants.
Thank you, Linda, yes, it was a restful vacation. It’s hard to get my head back into work mode. It was nice to see Mr. arrive to pick me up. I was surprised about the ability to fly without the 8th wheel too. I’m glad it worked!
The bunnies are cute and so far they’re sticking close to their shelter of the Tea House. They’re fending for themselves as we haven’t seen the mama since we noticed them venturing out into the grass.
Good – you needed a little getaway. The 8th wheel’s missing – no problem! I’d be nervous and that say it like it happens all the time, but still. I hate that the Mama Bunny is missing … I know the cycle of life, but that is brutal. So that answers my question I just left saying I wonder if she teaches them to go hide.
That message from the pilot was a moment to ponder indeed!
Me too about the bunny…😢
Yes, I would have said a little prayer before taking off. We animal lovers find the circle of life had to grasp. Look at the Hawk that got your Red-winged Blackbird. My heart breaks for the motherless bunnies.
I did say a prayer or two, multiple times!
Yes, we do – it is so hard to watch. I saw an Osprey fly over my car with a fresh fish in its talons, I wonder why I wasn’t bothered by that as much. 🤔😏
I would too. Maybe because fish aren’t pretty or cute? But yes, fish have feelings too. Marge’s cat died and she missed having a pet, so she got some goldfish and said every night when she returned home from work, they came to the front of their fishbowl to see her. (I suspect they were hungry.)
You’re right – we had fish a few times and they know where the food source comes from when they’re in a fish tank/bowl. 😆
I didn’t want to burst her bubble as she said they were front and center looking at her and flipping their fins.
That’s so sweet, Linda, I’m sure she appreciated the encouragement.
I knew this wonderful vacation recap post was waiting for me, so I put off reading it until I had time. I love the idea of you having a relaxing time near the ocean, with calm breezes, and seeing the mom with the baby is the best. It’s important to get away from your own reality once in a while and your photos prove that you weren’t in the midwest anymore. Thanks for taking us along on your adventures.
Ahh, that sounds like a great getaway! We finally have spring — I think. But we did have a couple doozy storms roll of L. Michigan so far this week. We’re always timing the dog walks around the radar. Ha! Our dog is nuts over the baby bunnies. If she could get off leash, she is sure she could catch one.
Hi Laurel! It’s great to hear from you. It feels great to see signs of spring. I saw that MI was having severe storms, yikes! Your dog would have a happy romp around our yard and would also keep the hawks away. I miss seeing Copper chase the bunnies. He never quite caught them, and he never gave up the chase. 🥰😉 Happy trails and happy spring to you!
What a great post and I’m sorry I almost missed it, Shelley,–I admit I went to your blog through my subscriptions to add your posts a different way, and saw this and realized (after seeing shells and the color of purple) that you linked to my post! Good ol’ WP. Anyway, sound like you had a wonderful trip. I loved your comments about the young mother holding her baby while watching the sunrise (and lovely shot to go with it). I’m sure that child will grow up to appreciate nature. Hopefully you came home to more moderate temps and the issues with your blog are quickly being resolved.
Thanks for finding my post and for your encouraging comments. Yes, I had a wonderful trip – no worries, just chillaxing. It was just what I needed. The only mistake I made was scheduling it so that the day after returning I had to jump right back into work. My vacation brain wasn’t ready for that. I agree, that little baby will grow up appreciating nature. The beach that morning was so enchanting.
I hope to hop into spring with finding a solution to my blogging woes. I appreciate your words of wisdom and support. See you again soon!
Oh I smiled in camaraderie at your tiny bladder stories Shelly. Back in my working days I was always the only woman as I was in technology and it was before women really started to enter the field. My nickname among the guys was TB (for tiny bladder) because we’d often have meetings or road trips and I always had to take breaks and/or make a pit stop. I didn’t mind because it was better than them calling me COLLY (change of life lady) or something equally depressing LOL. I’m like you. When I fly I stop at the bathroom on the way in, when I get to the boarding area, when I get on the plane, during the flight and the minute I get off. I think it’s more about worrying what if rather than a real need but always better safe than sorry! Glad you had fun on your getaway, and like you no matter how fun, I’m always happy to get home. Thanks for joining our rocky week!
Oh, dear, Tina, I wish you could see the smile on my face I have reading your comment. It’s SO wonderful to hear that I’m not alone in my TB status and that someone else ‘gets’ my travel woes/advice on when to go! Yes, you’re right it is the ‘what if’ that gets me the most. You’ve traveled way more than I have to far away places…that’s inspiring for my tiny bladder, hearing it’s doable and possible is making me smile even more! I appreciate your warm welcome to join in on the rocky week prompt even if my post contained a bit too much TMI 😂 I’m missing the beach while I hope for warmer spring weather here at home. It’s nice to be back home. Thank you, ever so much, for being you!
I’m smiling and chuckling at your teeny tiny holding tanks because I suffer the same. I always ensure that I use the restroom right before a flight, even though I usually get up during the flight to do the same. I’m glad that my biking buddy understands when we go on our trips. She always says that we have to take advantage of the ladies’ room (or a porta potty) when it is available.
I felt the warmth of Florida through your photos, Shelley. Thanks for sharing and I’m glad you made it there and back safely, and enjoyed time with your friend in between.
Aw, Mary, thank you for sharing in joy of the tiny bladder and the ability to scope out the spaces we frequent. 😉 Your blogging buddy is so sweet to be understanding and supportive.
The warmth of FL came back with me for a couple days and then faded as fast as my tan. Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos!
Wonderful photos! Those shells are beautiful 🙂
I always make a note of where the nearest bathrooms are! 😀
Thank you, Nikki, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and your confession to the need for the pursuit of bathrooms when traveling. 🤗😉
Sounds like a wonderful trip, Shelley–and beautiful photos! All those gorgeous colors, ahhhhh, makes me relaxed just looking at the water in pictures.
Thank you, Rebecca. It was a wonderful trip – just what I needed to shorten the winter blues here in WI! I finally read your interview with Amy Jo – excellent as always (I love your questions!) and I was looking for a novel to read this summer in my Tea House so I ordered a copy of Mercury today 😍🥰