We loved our time there last year. We decided this may be the place to go back to every year. (Some of you know, we have traveled extensively, but I have never wanted to go back to places I've been before. I enjoyed them, but "Been there. Done that." But I have always wanted a place with tradition...that place that I wanted to return to. And this was it!!)
But, last year's cottage had a few quirks that we decided we didn't want for this year--it was just one room and, if you don't always go to bed at the same time as each other, this is problematical. And it was on the bay side of the island, which was OK, but the best views were on the gulf side. So, last year we had scoped out the houses and picked four that looked promising. We ended up booking "Rainbow's End."
This is the saga of our visit to North Captiva Island (not to be confused with Captiva Island). First, we got on a plane to Atlanta. Then we got on a plane to Fort Myers, arriving at midnight. Then we waited for the hotel courtesy vehicle to pick us up.
The next morning we got in a taxi for an hour long ride to the Pine Island Marina, where we picked up the water taxi. But, before we got to the marina we stopped at the Publix grocery store where I faxed a grocery list earlier in the week. (Prior to faxing the grocery list I had to figure out all our menus for the entire stay--there are no grocery stores on North Captiva.)
After a picnic at the marina (the above pictures are at the marina) waiting for the water taxi, we took the 30 minute boat ride to Barnacle's Pier. There we met the wonderful landlord and she drove us in her golf cart (because there are no cars on the island--other than the rescue vehicles) to a bee-you-tee-ful little house right on the beach.
This kind of vacation retreat is not for everyone. There are only three restaurants, but two of them require you to be a member to eat there. However, since October is such a low tourist month on the island, if you called they maybe would let you in anyway. There is no grocery store. Shopping consists of one convenience store (which is a pretty shabby convenience store. Not much to choose from. Some of the shelves are bare), a touristy souvenir shop, and a boutique/touristy shop. That's it.
We went out to eat at Barnacles one day for lunch. Sort of bar food. I had two fish tacos. Loy had a clam basket with fries. $46. Yep. You read that right. Any wonder I plan our menus and order our food??
Our days were lazy and very selfish. Get up when we want. Read when we want. Eat when we want. Swim when we want. It was quiet (at least for me...Loy kept listening to his iPod and podcasts.)
When we are on the island we have a ritual that we never ever do here. We make a point to watch the sunset together every night. It's pretty amazing. Then we came back into our little house and made supper and ate on the back porch.
We saw dolphins from our back deck, two jellyfish in the calm water near Barnacles (I sat there on the dock for 20 minutes watching that thing. It was so cool), and a stingray right in our ocean. We did not see a manatee, which the island is known for. But, on our way out of town our landlord told us where to go next year to be sure to see one.
There has to be a down-side, right? Bug bites. I have probably 100 bug bites on me. Are they sand fleas? Are they no-see-ums? They are not mosquitos, but they itch like crazy!!!! (Note to self next year: Use the bug spray that is in the cottage.) Loy was bragging about how he didn't get bit, but when we got to looking we could see quite a few on him too--but he's more manly than I and isn't itchy at all.
We left, grudgingly, after 5 days. Refreshed and relaxed. It was 85 degrees when we left. We got back to Omaha and it was 42 degrees. I was in capris and told Loy, "YOU go get the car...I'll wait here." He was so nice and did just that.
With all my quiet time I've been pondering this quote:
"We don't get to decide who God is." Francis Chan
I've been thinking lately...always dangerous. My little Bible study is doing an apologetics study. We take one reason people may give for not believing that Jesus is the Son of God and then we try and find Scriptural backing for our arguments against that belief. We have all loved doing this--sort of feel like we're iron sharpening each other...
But, it hit me the other day that what I believe or what you believe is really not all that important. God is what He is. I can believe something about Him, but my belief does not make is so. Or, you can believe that He is just a man and that does not make it so. Rather than arguing over things like whether women should be pastors or when Jesus will return (pre- or post-tribulation) or is He loving or what do we have to do to get to Heaven or is there even a Heaven...we should try and discern what God is saying, not the side we want to argue on. Our purpose is to glorify God, not win an argument.
However, what you believe about God and Jesus now IS important in your own future.
The Bible says "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." --Philippians 2:10-12
Everyone will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord eventually. Every single person. You may think, "Nope. Not me. I'll never bow."
It reminds me of a story of myself back in the '80's. Ronald Reagan was president and, for some forgotten reason, we had gotten tickets (from Loy's work?) to go hear him speak in Omaha. Now, I am not political. I don't get involved in any of that much. (I DO vote, though.) I wasn't especially excited to see President Reagan. Just one of those work deals.
After the rally we were walking on the street towards our car. Suddenly there was an excitement on the sidewalk. The President's limo was coming by! People were stopping and turning, ready to look at him. Unbeknownst to me, I was jumping up and down, waving! I didn't mean to do it. It just happened. Like he would notice me in the throngs! But I guess I subconsciously realized that he is THE PRESIDENT. This is a big deal.
So, picture this...if I am right to believe the Bible, you WILL bow to Jesus. Whether you now believe or not. It might not make sense to you, but that does not alter the fact of what is Truth. Believe what you want now...
But, if I am wrong...well, I really don't see a down side to this. I have believed something that gave me comfort. And, according to some, I will die and that will be it. I'd much rather believe than not.
Don't know where I really want this little train of thought to go, but just thought I'd share it with you.
So, if you want to travel to a quiet place and just relax, talk to me and I'll give you the name of a great place!!! (And she's not even paying me to say that!!) I think I could make a vocation out of planning vacations...I absolutely love scouring the internet to find just the right place.
You should hear what I've got planned for late May-early June! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment