Welcome to paradise! Yes, we definitely had a paradise cruise yesterday as we boated from Salty Sam’s Marina on the Sight Sea-R boat through Estero Bay to Big Hickory island for a very happy shelling party. We had a gorgeous day for our iLoveShelling cruise!
We had calm clear water perfect for Jerry to practice his snorkeling.
Perfect for combing the beach.
Perfect for sightseeing. We were so fortunate to see MANATEES, DOLPHINS and all kinds of birds … especially several bright pink ROSEATE SPOONBILLS.
Perfect for finding shells- Look at all of these WORM SHELLS Nancy found!
But the best part of our whole shelling trip was hanging out with so many fun shellers. Seriously, it was a blast! Joe and Joanne from Las Vegas found ALPHABET CONES, ROSE PETAL TELLINS and other shells … but do you notice Joe’s shirt? Omigosh!
Yes, you read it correctly. LOL It says… ” I Heart Pam Rambo (and Super Sheller Clark too)”. Joanne made tee shirts for this shelling cruise and shaped a scallop shell into a heart!!!! hahahaha And she also made one for me (which felt that much funnier with me wearing a tee shirt with my name on it). I am not kidding, I can’t stop laughing. I’m still in stitches! They are so stinkin fun, they even had a tee shirt made for Clark too. Do you think he’ll wear it? LOL
But that’s not all… the whole day was so much fun. Diane From Tucson was on the cruise too! She is just as cute as a BUTTON SHELL and makes every moment feel very special when you are around her. Thank you Diane!
Jerry and Livy (KY) found some shells (SHARKS EYE, ANGEL WINGS, SAND DOLLARS) to fill their bags but it was priceless to see Jerry snorkeling the whole time enjoying the water.
Locals June and Colton were finding lots of WORM SHELLS, ROSE PETAL TELLINS and ANGEL WINGS for the first time.
Colton was the OLIVE and SAND DOLLAR king!
The first shell of the day for Cheryl from Puerto Rico was a beautiful LIGHTNING WHELK with a perfect heart shape cut into it. Love!
Cheri and Mike from Saint Louis found oodles of different varieties of shells.
These are just a few of their fave shells including yellow, orange, white, gray, amber and black JINGLE SHELLS, ROSE PETAL TELLINS and lots of wormies.
Cathy (IL) and Sue (Sanibel local!) found some new shells for their collection….
… Like VARIABLE WORM SHELL, BROAD PAPER COCKLE, MOSSY ARK and a TURRID.
Tom was teaching me a little more about all the birds we saw as we were on the boat but Nancy is the awesome sheller. She found all of those WORM SHELLS in the sixth photo.
She also found so many other varieties of beautiful shells like several GAUDY NATICAS, NUTMEGS, SHARKS EYES, CONCHS, WHELKS, MUREXES and some gorgeous pieces of CORAL.
Also with all that fun, Sealife By Congress generously gave everybody on the boat a $25 gift certificate for a seashell pendant. They love shellers and will continue the giveaway for iLoveShelling cruises through February- WOW! Thank you Sealife By Congress!
But wait, that’s not it… After our exshellent four hour cruise pulled up to the dock, I realized I was famished. Since I didn’t have anything else scheduled for the day (very unusual), I asked if anybody else happened to be staying for lunch at Parrot Key Caribbean Grill right there at the marina. Yes! Joe, Joanne, Diane, Livy, Jerry and I got a table together and continued our shellebration with a shellicious lunch. It was truly a special day.
I hope you get to join us for one of these spectacsheller adventures in the future. Check out the dates and reserve your spot now CLICK HERE…
I will staying on Gasparilla Island from mid Oct to Nov. 21. How would you suggest I arrange a trip to one of “your shelling islands” without driving the two hours to Sanibel? Do you know anyone in Boca Grande that might motor me over to Cayo Costa or another island? I am a shell collector from Portland, Oregon. And yes, I have the cold Pacific ocean in which to play but the beaches are mostly void of shells. Waves are high and rough and the water gets deep quickly.
Judy
I see there is a company called “Boca Boat Cruises” on Gasparilla Island — you could ask them about this possibility. I see on their website that they do charters. Also you could ask them if any of the islands they routinely visit has good shelling…
Thank you for the information about a boat trip starting from Gaspsrilla Island.
Judy
I reserved a spot on the Cayo Costa cruise on Jan 21st!! Sooooooooo excited!!!
Donna YAY!!!!! look forward to seeing you again
keep the posts coming,this last one hit home because we stay at the bonita beach club on hickory island but I still want to go to Sanibel island in January with you and clark I am so looking forward to it thanks for another great post sincerely R.G. STEIN
That turrid is the slight more unusual species with the strong sculpture. It doesn’t have a common name:
http://shellmuseum.org/shells/shelldetails.cfm?id=118
Thanks Susan! I have a few different Turds…. errrrr… (heehee) I mean Turrids that all look slightly different so I’ll have to look back at mine too.
I would love to see the different turrids you have! :)
Pam, thank you for a wonderful cruise experience! It was so much fun to hear you talk lovingly about each shell! You are so kind and generous and made each of us feel so welcome. Every sheller who comes to this area should plan their vacation around one of your cruises!
Thank YOU Cheri! It was my pleasure- we had such a wonderful group of shellers it made for such a fun day. Hope to see you and Mike again
We are flying in Sept 11th and I will be booking a cruise for the next day! Met you at Blind pass last year! Anxious for this year!
Sounds like y’all had an amazing time! This cruise took yall to some different spots than usual right? Looks like everyone found some great shells too! I love the wormies!! …and the rest of them too!
Wow, looks like you had a fabulous trip! Wish I could have been there….
WOW Pam, What an exciting trip that must have been………..and all the “Jenny Curls” (worm shells)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do so enjoy your posts. I follow them regularly and enjoy being “included” in all your wonderful adventures. I’m especially happy for all those who have the chance to meet you and the chance to experience “Sanibel” with someone who knows it so well……you are a gift to them all as you have been to me. My best regards to you and clark. Melinda
Thank you Pam for an amazing shelling cruise. Most of all I want to extend my gratitude for helping me find my first false Angel wing shell and then another. I cherish the true Angel wing that holds a special memory from another true Angel. The group was great and I now have 2 new friends. Lunch was like icing on the cake. Just for added information, Little Hickory is closed heading west from the entrance for nourishment. Thank you so much for the delightful day.
That should read renourishment! I hope I have the direction correct. It is heading toward Lover’s Key.
Wow – shoulda gone with YOU!!!! Cayo Costa yesterday was a real let down – NO shells….green water, jelly fish.
Pam-Thank you for a wonderful morning shelling. The cruise was fun and relaxing. I was so excited to find my first paper fig and pear whelks. After a number of years reading your blog it was a delight to meet you.