Dreams fulfilled, a new journey begins: Sanibel Island

Cayo Costa, a dream fulfilled.

This island has been calling to Pat for years. This island is why Pat yearned to paddle with us, why she wanted to go on this crazy adventure. For years she held the vision of standing on the Gulf side beach, arms outstretched, breathing in the sea breeze. Breathing in the quiet, feeling the ground of this special place under her feet.
The shell covered white sand beaches, far from the development craze called to her. She longed to be far from the places where there are too many people and more keep coming. More people coming than the fragile land can support. Having grown up on Florida's Atlantic Coast she has seen with sadness the changes that time has brought. She longed for the timeless, Old Florida of her youth.

Her unfulfilled attempts to visit bring her here now. Cayo Costa did not disappoint even in this final day as we departed for Sanibel Island.

We paddled the quiet mangrove bordered waters of the west side of the island. We searched for manatees reported to be in a small, warm water cove. We did not find them, but were satisfied with the inner calm that the search brought. We passed miles of shore closed to human entrance, preserved for eternity as a bird preserve. We completed the circumnavigation of the three mile long island as we reached the southern tip.

The highlight of the day occurred as we reached the our pre-determined lunch spot on the southern shore. The current moved swiftly in the narrow channel between Cayo Costa and the nest island, North Captiva. This is the kind of spot that attracts dolphins. The first dolphins surfaced as we paused to decide where we should disembark. Then we saw more as their bodies gracefully arc to the surface for air. With delight, we were surrounded by dolphins.

Days later I saw the photo that Roger with his extreme patience created. It captured the essence of that fleeting instant and conveyed the emotional impact of human meeting sea mammal. It burns in my memory.

This day marks the start of a new journey. Rod and Fran developed their own habits and routines in the first part of the journey. They had their own way of approaching the logistics of navigation, setting up and taking down camp. The four of us last paddled together three months ago on a day trip. That was not enough time to develop routines, or even to become familiar with each other's preferences. Now Fran and Rod know that new routines will form as the group becomes a new entity. They look forward to it.

It helps that Pat planned the second part of the journey. It helps it to become our collective trip, not just Rod & Fran's plan.

There is uncertainty though as we round a point and paddle into the Gulf waters of North Captiva. The waters are not as protected; there is more wind and the water is rougher. How will Pat and Roger respond to the rolling and pitching waters? This is something that Fran and Rod now take in stride, but it is a new experience for the group. How will we respond to the changing demands of the sea?

At days end as we approach the safety of the cottages, we ask the question..."How was the day for you?" "It was fine. A bit windy, but not too much."

Ah, we passed the first test together. As the days pass we will experience more differences in navigation style, paddling speeds and preferences for rest and exploration stop. We are confident that we will form into a new 'team' that works well together. We'll develop new patterns that will enrich the journey for all of us.