Boca Grande

I realize that I talk about my love of water and the ocean quite a bit. I know I write about it even more, as I've recently gone over past entries and noticed my association of self to water and the power I can connect to behind it. So it should go as no surprise that I so thoroughly enjoyed myself yesterday when I traveled north of Fort Myers to go to Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island. 

How did I find such a place? A friend of mine has vacationed there and their parents own a beach house, so it was a specifically recommended place to visit. These are the best places to go- the ones that you hear about from friends and family that know you well and want to share their own joy and experience with you. I have often thought the past few months about making a complete city by city guide of my favorite places to eat, things to see, noteworthy things about each place I happened to go, and compile it all together so that if I knew someone traveling to the same destination I could bestow them with my favorite things. While I have journal ed through this experience, I know that I have recounted thoughts, and feelings more then I have documented the what's, and the when's. It became a place I could recount much more of the emotional journey of the time away from home, time at home, and my vision, hopes, and desires for my future. I should have kept a side journal on each place I hung out in as to keep tabs of all the tidbits of information that we lose as we continue to move on from an experience. 

So anyway...Boca Grande. I loved it. The island itself is small and residential. I found my way to the beach and sat for awhile just enjoying the Gulf sway in and off the sandy beach. I people watched a little bit, as there weren't a lot of people to really pay attention to. I went to the lighthouse and took probably my favorite photos of the beach ever, and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the park. After spending time on the water I ventured into the small town on the island and went in and out of the shops, and so appreciated the leisure of the day in such a beautiful place. 

I saw a puppy being photographed for a flier advertising its cuteness and looking for a home. I wanted this puppy, I thought I could buy this puppy and take it home...I thought again and knew that was a ridiculous idea. But I did stop and chat for a bit and told the seller that I loved the dog and she suggested I buy it, I responded by saying "will it grow up into a Great Dane?" and she said no, it was a Jack Russell pup. The only dog I am allowed to purchase is a Great Dane for Theresa, so I kindly declined taking the 7 week old Jack and went along my day. It was classically funny, and it was completely myself. It made me laugh.