Charlotte, Lee and I just got back from a very sunny and warm vacation to the lovely Sanibel Island on the gulf coast of Florida. The trip has become something of an annual tradition to visit Lee's parents, they know how to pick a good spot (they've been escaping to Sanibel for decades). This visit was full of eating, swimming, tennis, biking, birding, shelling and napping. Lee and I took advantage of the built-in babysitters and ate out a lot! We had three excellent meals at three very different restaurants on the island. The first night we chose to eat at Traders. We were both a little apprehensive since it had a gift shop attached but we were blown away by the great food and excellent service--the key lime pie is not to be missed! If you are looking for a tasty breakfast head to the Lighthouse Cafe, they boast "The World's Best Breakfast" and it's a great breakfast, just skip the grits and opt for the potatoes instead (they seem to have forgotten how to make grits in this neck of the woods). We saved the best for last, Il Cielo. It is truly an outstanding fine dining experience just be prepared for a bit of sticker shock when the check arrives! Other highlights that are not to be missed are the birds at J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the awesome shelling (literally every beach offers amazing finds), the tropical bird show at the aviaries at Periwinkle Trailer Park, a beach sunrise, and set out to watch the wildlife and fisherman at the Point Ybel Lighthouse fishing pier.

Leaves of the trees cover the sun at Sanibel Island Vacation

The sun sets on the horizon at Sanibel Island Vacation

Girl sticks out her tongue while swimming at Sanibel Island Vacation

Colorful flowers in the garden at Sanibel Island Vacation

Lighthouse towers above the trees and close up shot of heron at Sanibel Island Vacation

Get up close and personal with dozens of birds at the aviaries at Periwinkle Trailer Park...

Man finds a new friend in the garden at Sanibel Island Vacation

Close up shot of flower in the garden at Sanibel Island Vacation

Sea creature on the beach at Sanibel Island Vacation

This year Charlotte was less interested in seeing the birds and more interested in collecting hibiscus and handing them out to the folks watching the show at the aviaries at Periwinkle Trailer Park...