Happy 3rd Birthday iLoveShelling! Can you believe it? I wrote my very first iLoveShelling blog post October 10 three years ago on this very day. I feel like I’ve known many of you so much longer since our passion for shelling has brought us so closely together. For me, the most amazing thing that has come from the birth of this blog is together we’ve learned so much about seashells by sharing our shelling adventures then being so fortunate to run into each other while collecting shells on the beach. It means so much to me to be able to put a face to the name that you have given to your wonderful comments. Shellers are amazing folks and I’m so happy to be a part of this exshellent community. I feel like y’all are part of my family now!
I’ve had so many people suggest that we have some sort of sheller’s event to gather together to meet, shell, share tips and tricks and share our shelling stories. So now for the shelltastic news!
Our event has come true!!!
It’s a shellabaloo at Island Inn Beachfront Resort January 7-10! Island Inn has put together a spectacsheller shelling package  so we can shell together and get to know each other in real live person. It will be soooo exciting to meet y’all!
If you are familiar with the Island Inn, you know that it is a beachfront hotel that has kept the unique feel of “old Florida charm” with a rich history of seashells. This was where the Sanibel Shell Fair and Show was first started.
You will feel right at home. Throughout the lobby, there are shell displays…
They love shells as much as we do so it’s the perfect setting for us.
So let me tell you more about our shellers’ retreat. On January 7th after your private tour of the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, I will join you back at Island Inn with a meet and greet (in other words… paarrrtaaay!) at one of Sanibel’s best restaurants called Traditions On The Beach. When I have a special occasion dinner, this is where I always want to come so it’s perfect that this will be a VERY special occasion.
Then the next morning, you wake up to the sound of those seashells calling your name… so we’ll hit the beaches for an amazing shellathon! This will be the best treasure hunt ever. There’s no telling what we will find by sharing all of our shelling secrets. What a blast!!!
On Wednesday the 9th, Island Inn has provided another exshellent shell adventure for us as well. A Captiva Cruises boat trip to Cayo Costa! Wahoo! There’s a good chance we’ll get to see dolphins and manatees on the way there too. Another reason why we love shelling.
Yall know how much Clark and I love to shell around the tree roots at Cayo Costa so now I’ll be able to shell this area with YOU.
Okay, so this all starts at our home base at Island Inn with awesome accommodations right on their private beach.
There are limited (!) rooms available but there are a couple of choices on rooms which are similar to this charming room…
Or this awesome room…
Believe it or not, every room has a balcony with a gulf front view.
If you or your travel buddy don’t want to spend every waking moment shelling (really? ;)), there are plenty of options just steps away from your room. Like relaxing by the pool with a view of the gulf.
Or playing shuffleboard with a view of the gulf…
Play horseshoes … and yes, also with a view of the gulf.
They also have stand up paddle boards and kayaks you can rent out.
Or you could rent a bike to check out the rest of the island…
But the most important thing is… I do hope that we get to shell together to make our shelling connections even stronger. So Join us! (SOLD OUT -please see below) Here are some details that Island Inn has graciously put together for us (heehee, I know, they put “renowned expert” Who would have thought? It tickles me :))
Thank you Island Inn for organizing this event. This is going to be a shell of a good time for all of us! So join in on the fun by calling Island Inn for pricing (sorry it’s SOLD OUT) and any details and they can answer any of your questions at 800-851-5088. Don’t miss out on the shelladventure of a lifetime! UPDATE: 10-12-12-  OOPS! This package is SOLD OUT! I’m so sorry if you didn’t get a chance to join us but since this sold out within 36 hours of this post, I’m sure there will be another one in the future. You will be the first to know when there is another date set!
Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary…which ever, we are all so happy for you…and are so happy to have you in our lives! Simple Pleasures!
Awesome offer Pam!! Is there any way that someone not staying at the island inn can still participate in other activities of the package? I have to move my trip back from feb to january but have to keep my hotel arrangements as they are. Thanks!!
Ack! i’m so sorry Donna, but this whole package has been graciously put in place by Island Inn so you have to be staying there to participate. Can u push back your other hotel until later next year?
No problem, Pam. Really, its OK. I just wanted to improve my chances of meeting you :). I will just have to get more creative with decorating myself and my shelling gear when I’m there to get your attention :)
Congratulations! to a very fine and happy 3 years. I have only begun my process as a sheller but will be planning another trip in Oct’ 13. Happy Hunting to all!
Sounds like a good christmas gift idea!!
Ooooooh, that’s sounds like a wonderful idea…. What a great Christmas gift!
Sounds like a wonderful after Christmas retreat
to sneak away for a few days. I may treat my sister to a great getaway for a Christmas present. Way to go Pam!
Did I mention that you may have a long lost sister in NY? Just kidding :)
Oh, better make that TWO long-lost sisters in New York!! :)
Yes, certainly :)
Oh Em Gee! This sounds like so much fun! Congratulations on 3 years of bringing 1,000’s – Yes 1,000’s of shell sistah’s & brotha’s some Sanibel shell love every day.
Already have reservations at the Island Inn for January 17-23! So sorry to miss the Shellabaloo! This will be our fourth stay at the Island Inn, and we can’t imagine staying anywhere else. My husband and I love your blog. Hope to meet you on the beach one day!
Congrats Pam!
Good Job Pamela! Three years and now you are an island and even more celebrity!
Vacation package looks like so much fun and a great deal….Hmmmm……
Congratulations Pam. I look forward to your blog everyday. The first thing I do when I get to work every morning is check your blog and read all the comments.
I can hardly wait for my first visit to Sanibel Island and finding lots of shells, hopefully soon. Keep up the awesome posts. I have learned so much about all the different shells from reading them. My husband says I am obsessed.
Funny! My friends, hubby & family think I am obsessed!! I get the “don’t you want to go somewhere else?” question, lol..I always check for new posts and then read ALL the comments, too!! :) Sherri
Just liked, tweeted and pinned this!! <3 this! Checking my schedule now!
WAY TO GO PAM!!! Congratulations on three years of a great job!!
Happy Happy Anniversary !!!!! So bumbed we didn’t run into you a few weeks ago while on our vacation …. Wish I had a money tree out back so I could come back in January … What an exciting opportunity for those that can make it !!!
Hi Pam,
Happy Anniversary! I am so glad I stumbled across your blog this past summer. I have enjoyed reading it. It seems like we are with you on your shelling adventures! I was there in Oct 2010 and would love to make it back there. The weather was great in October. Can you or anyone tell me what the weather is like in January? I’d love to come to the Island Inn and join you!
January was great shelling last year. The last few years it has been a little chilly (well chilly for us)in January but that’s exactly what brings in the best shells! A good north west wind is the best type of blow that will bring in so much great stuff. This past January was incredible shelling which you can see in my archives at … http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/2012/01/. You have to watch those to videos! I found a junonia and the largest tulip I’ve ever found that month… and i got them both on film.
You can take a look at any of my archived month by looking at the right side of this page- you’ll see a long list of months and years. You can click on any one and it will show you every post in that month so you can see what we were finding and what the weather was by what everybody is wearing.
I would have just loved to come and meet you and all the people I have grown to “know” over the last 3 years. Unfortunately I have already booked a trip for Feb (bringing my 92 yr. old mother for her first trip) and I can’t change the dates. It just sounds wonderful. Maybe we can join you in 2014.
Happy 3 Year Anniversary!!!
Congratulations on your three year anniversary. We all enjoy learning about shells from you. The trip to Island Inn sounds like a wonderful Christmas present. Unfortunately, we will just be coming off of Winter break. Fortunately, we get to come the week before Thanksgiving. What a great idea. There are going to be some lucky people on the beaches in January.
I am so gonna see if this works for me I’d love to come down then! Great idea!
Congrats Pam!!! Although I read your blog constantly, even re read old posts on certain shells and beach bling to learn more, I hardly even leave any comments. I really don’t know why, just the reading type I guess.
I finally met you at the shell fair this past March and I was so excited to finally meet you and chat. I’m sure with all the excitement of the fair and all the people you wouldn’t remember me, that’s to be expected. But I was glad to finally met you in person.
I looked this event up on Island Inn website and it’s an EXCELLENT priced deal. I am gonna talk to hubby tonight and for the price this is offered, I think hubby will agree that I can book a reservation!!! The only challenge will be is getting out of where I live without being snowed in at that time of year! Hahaha
I’ll come back in a day or two and let you know that my reservation is locked in! Now I’m stoked….I gotta tell my friend Kim..You know her, you met her, she’s on your blog…she is the geo cache explorer!
I look forward to meeting you again!
okay I’m replying to my own post..:)
I talked to hubby and he not only said YEAH BOOK IT for this shelling event Pam is doing, he said he WANTS to come with and JOIN the activities!!! O.O
WOW…a double treat!!!
So yeah..Pam, we are booked, reserved and confirmed with Island Inn!! I’m so excited! Hubby asked if Clark was gonna be joining you with all this.
Traci!!!! WAHOOO!!!! I’m so excited too that both of you will be joining us! This is going to be AWESOME! You’ve made my night! Clark will be there for the cocktail party for sure and maybe dinner the first night so yall will get to meet each other too. I would love for Clark to join us for shelling but he has some work conflicts…. but I’m sure he’s going to be dying not being there on the beach with all of us …so between you and me… I think he’ll show up at some point on one of the beaches to join us. ;) Hurray Traci!
I am wicked excited too! This is such a great idea to do and I hope all 20 spots get filled up! Hubby will be glad to here Clark will be there for some of it. I think he is afraid he will be the only guy. Hahaha… I have told hubby that there are plenty of shelling men out there…heck the manly shellers get out there in the ocean and get the good stuff! Lol…with their toes! Hahaha..
See you soon Pam!!!!
Traci, my hubbie will be there too. We are part of a shell club and sometimes he’s the only guy..but when finding shells is our mission, he doesn’t mind !
Kathy
Many congratulations on 3 wonderful blog years Pam!
I have read every single one of your posts, and really enjoyed every one of them too. Not to mention all of your countless beautiful images!
I won’t be able to make the January shell fest as our trip to Sanibel is in December, but I will enjoy it vicariously by reading about it here I am sure!
Happy day for all of us to have I Love Shelling as a way to get our shelling,Sanibel, and Rambo ‘fix’! Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this beautiful blog.
Happy 3rd Shellanniverary!!
Oh, this is such a great deal! I wish there was some way for me to make this. I would LOVE to do this!!
3 YEARS … WOW CONGRATS PAM !!!! Your the next best thing to being there on Sanibel !
Congrats Pam!!! Has it been three years??? WOW!!!!
You do great things here and I’m so excited for you.
And whoever goes, we’ve been to the Island Inn and we loved it.
Congratshellations! I visit the blog almost daily and live on Sanibel through this site. Please keep doing what you do! We are visiting Sanibel in December so we won’t be able to come again in Jan for the shellabration. : ( Best wishes and God Bless!
Congratulations on 3 years. A friend sent us the NYT article and I went back and caught up on everything. Your pictures are so great especially the shell ones. We’re coming down Jan 26 so we’ll miss your party. Maybe I’ll see you on the beach.
Pat
Congrats on the best blog ever!! Sure wish I could join you, but I’ll only be home a month from my Nov. trip to Sanibel. Sooooo, I don’t think it would fly if I were to take off for Sanibel again so soon. Hope you all have a marvelous time, just remember to let all of us know how much fun you’re all having!!
Congratshellations! LOL! Just found this blog last week but I’m addicted. Wish I could come back that soon to meet you and the other wonderful people I see posting on this site. What a great adventure. It is tempting to jump on a plane . . .:)
woo – hoopity – dooo!!! CONGRATS to you!!! And to think you weren’t sure if anyone would read your blog posts!! We all luvluvluv you!!
Tryin’ to figure out how I can do the trip – with a new job, I just don’t know if I can get the time off. Not giving up, yet.
You can do it Moi! : D
Pam – Congratulations on 3 years !
I cannot begin to thank you enough for all the hard work that you do for us.
Cyber shelling, education, sanity, sharing experiences, virtually being on Sanibel every day of the year. What more could a person want with the exception of actually being there!
Thank you so much for your time and commitment. I hope that you realize how much you are appreciated by so many people.
Wow! Happy third birthday!!! I’d really love to be there but really unfortunately, My school holidays would have just ended!!! :( Anyway, “happy birthday” once again! :)
Leaving Captiva tomorrow to go back to KC, so wish I could return in January.
Way to go, Pam! It’s just amazing to consider how much information you have packed into your site – you have done a fantastic job of educating the hundreds, nay, thousands of shellers that visit Sanibel. Like everyone else, I always look forward to a new post with your wonderful photography. And, your layout of the site is so user friendly. I guess I could spend an hour gushing, but I guess I’ll sum it up with a BIG THANK YOU, Pam!!!! May you have many, many, more!
Hope to see you down by the lighthouse next month!
Three Years!!!!! Really? Congratulations, Pam. You are THE BEST! Have so enjoyed your blog and meeting you in person. May you have many, many more years of Shelling Adventures! Wish I could join you…you just never know!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to iLoveShelling, congratulations on 3 great years. I look foward to more and more! :)
Way to go, girl!!!! I’ll be there in “spirit” – my Sanibel days will be nov-dec this winter…..oh well….maybe on your 4th or 5th anniv! See you on the beach soon! Johnnie
Congratulations….we are going to try to make it! January is generally really bad weather in Dallas area…some of you may remember the Super Bowl a couple of years ago with big sheets of ice sliding off the dome!!! Cool weather and collecting shells in Sanibel would be awesome…not to mention meeting other shellers and seeing you and Clark again.
Kathie & John
I’ve not met you Kathie..YET…but that would be great that your husband would be coming too if it turns out you two can make it. We have are reservations and my hubby is coming too…he sure would like to see a couple of husbands out there come along so he is not the only one. But then again he did make the comment how cool it would be to be the only man with all these ladies around him!! ;) However, a few husbands to come along with the wife’s would be great!
I hope you guys make it! :D
We are working on it…hope to see you guys there.
Congratulations. Your posts are such a pleasure. They make me want to visit Sanibel Island and see some of these gorgeous shells myself.
Hi Pam, Happy Anniversary!!! I was excited to hear about the get together and then had the big let down when I heard that you had to stay at the Island Inn to participate. We are already booked at Mitchell’s. My six year old grandson still asks if you know that he found a lion’s paw last January. Any chance you could open up the shell museum tour or the dinner to outsiders with a separate price. I’d love to meet other fanatical shellers like me or just open up the beach get-togther to everyone on the island at that time. Hopefully granddaughter Kaitlyn and I will run into you on the beach sometime during our stay.
We’re expecting our first freeze tonight which will make us look forward to our trip back to Sanibel even more. All the best Sue Bunkin from PENNA
I’ll be at Michell’s too but in February. Sorry I won’t be there to meet you. You’re right, Fall is definitely here in Pa. Katherine from eastern Pa.
Hi Sue, this is event was completely planned by Island Inn so You’ll have to talk to them about separate pricing. I am kind of their shelling advisor so I am helping them on the shelling end of this event but not the other parts of the package details. And yes! I do remember that picture of your grandson with his lion’s paw! That was awesome!!!! Good eye!
Congratulations Pam! Your blog is such a joy to so many of us who can’t visit the beach every day. The shellabaloo at the Island Inn will be awesome! I’m arriving on Sanibel tomorrow and can’t wait to set my eyes on the beautiful Gulf. Maybe I’ll run into you on the beach!
OMG…Pam….I just looked at the tide charts for when you have scheduled this event…so did you PLAN that this shellabaloo just happens to fall on a REALLY REALLY good LOW TIDE…..all three days are in the negatives..like -1.0, -1.1……did you know this? I mean purposely plan it this way????
FYI! Only 6 rooms left out of 20! They are filling up fast! So if you are thinking about it… get your duck clams in a row! ;)
definitely interested….nearest airport …..do u provide shuttle service…..how much deposit required on room
Anne Marie, weeeee! I hope you can make it! please call Island Inn to get those details at 800-851-5088. They will be happy to help you with all of your questions.
917-584-0439 just left questions thanks
3 of The Carolina Beachcombers are coming to the shellabaloo…we can hardly wait to meet y’all…maybe you’ll come visit us in Pawleys Island SC sometime! We’ll bring a taste of South Carolina with us!!!!!
Wahooo!!! Carolina Beachcombers hit Sanibel. I can’t tell you how excited I am yall are joining us!
Hi Pam
We have planned a shelling week already that
Week. Can we join you from the Castaways?
Ginger, The event is being planned by Island Inn so I believe you have to be staying there to get the excursions but… if you want to call them to ask them please call 800-851-5088. Thank you for being interested!
Pam, one question about this…the details state the room price for up to 2 people, then says it includes 1 shelling package. It goes on to list add’l shelling pkgs for an add’l fee. Does that mean that the second person in the room has to pay for an add’l shelling pkg? Or does the price include the room & pkg for both people?
Congradshellations Pam. Your baby has grown sooo much… you do a Marvelous job with the website…. Much success, and best wishes to a
super shell passion …. happy birthday !!! Janie
I am so upset! I actually am coming down this week BY MYSELF and have a condo booked… I canNOT change my condo reservations.. is there ANY WAY for me to join in on some of the fun, especially the shelling cruise?? Had I more advance notice, I would have gone this route!
Terri, oh honey, don’t be upset! The event isn’t until January 7-10 so we’re not doing the shelling cruise as a group this week. You are going to have a fabulous time while you are here though!…. I just found a nice shell pile at Blind Pass Captiva today and the water is so clear there. Good luck in finding some beautiful shells and finding peace by the shore.
Congratulations on your 3-year blog anniversary, Pam. You’ve kept me excited about shelling and using shells in my art. Any day is a good day on Sanibel and I’m looking forward to meeting you on the beach soon to thank you in person for keeping me and so many others, inspired to keep shelling, but most of all, to enjoy the simple pleasures of fresh air, nature, and hooking up with like-minded people who enjoy the wonder of finding beautiful shells right under our feet. — Shelling sista Marcia
A little while ago I looked in on the Island Inn webcam, and someone apparently cut themselves on a shell . Yes it’s nice to find big shells with your toes, but some of those shells have sharp edges! A friend was there to help and after it stopped bleeding they made their way back up to the Inn. I hope everything was all right. So be carefull all shellers!
Pat
Bummer I probably can’t make it since I teach and winter break will be just ending.. especially since I was one of the people who said it would be so fun to have a sheller’s meet-up. Sad.. But hopefully sometime I will meet all the wonderful shellers! Happy anniversary and thanks for your wonderful blog! Absolutely adorable picture of you, Pam!! :)
Sherri from MN
congrats Pam, my wife Patty and I booked yesterday and can’t wait to get on the hunt! We look forward to the site everyday!
Hey Pam, you might maybe want to tell the Island Inn that if they get a great response and they decide they also want to offer another Shellabaloo in 2014, they should start the process of planning it as soon as they reasonably can.
I say that because so many people book their Sanibel trips a year in advance, and some of us might be prepared to book already for 2014. The publicity for this event would serve to attract bookings for the next one, it seems to me. Just an idea. :)
Pam,
Congrats. on your 3rd anniversary of this wonderful blog! I check it everyday to catch up on all the great shelling.
I called Island Inn about how much extra it would be if my hubby joined me.
The extra package, cocktail party, 2 dinners, and shelling cruise is $250.00 not too bad for all that.
Happy “3”, thanks for taking all of us with you and Clark on your adventures. Your blog has connected me with some of your other followers, that’s when you realize this really is a small, small world. Wish we do the Jan. trip but our daughter is moving again and that should be the time when she might need some help. Hope to see you and Clark soon, Oct. 31st we’ll be there.
I just called the Island Inn and it’s all sold out. We’ll try for next year if your going to do this again.
WOW…That didnt take long to sell out. A 24 hr time frame. I am so glad IChecked Pams blog on the 10th when this was posted! Sometimes I will go two or three days in between readings, I would have missed my chance.
For all those that did get a spot, see you there!
Maybe next year they will offer more spots. I dont think Island Inn or Pam was expecting this to be sold out in 24 hrs.
Congrats on the sell out! I am considering taking my daughter for the super low negative tides that time, but looks like we will miss you! I hope everyone has a wonderful time.
I might have to go visit our friend who has a house on West Gulf dr. up the road from the Island Inn that week. And maybe have dinner at Traditions that night. We haven’t tried that restaurant yet.
I hope all that are going have a wonderful time!
Congrats on 3 fabulous years and i hope more tho come….wish I could do the trip! Never shelled in the winter but hear its great! Hope you plan another shellabaloo!
I hope you have another event soon! I missed the notice for this one and I am soooo sorry. Have fun and plan another one soon please!! :)
How fabulous! And I’m glad we will get to hear all about it here on your blog! Wouldn’t that be a trip of a lifetime! WOW!