Shelling

Sanibel Island is known as one of the best shelling destinations in the country.  What is shelling you ask?  Well it is pretty self explanatory.  It is the act of collecting shells.  Sounds easy right?  Well I learned on our trip that it is not as easy as it sounds.  It was obvious from the first time I stepped on the beach in Sanibel that there were a lot of shells around.  As you looked closer most were broken or not very pretty.  I wondered where all the conch like shells were.  After talking to a local we learned the best strategy is to wade waist deep into the water at low tide and dig down into the sand.  Experienced shellers have a screen bucket with a long handle attached that they use to dig and shift.  Well I didn't have that so I got very wet and actually ended up finding some good ones by feeling around with my feet.  My daughter actually had some success just looking along the shore and I credit our friend Dick for helping train her eye while we've looked for shark teeth along the North Carolina coast. I'm not sure shelling will become a new hobby but I know if we ever return to Sanibel I will be prepared.

Until tomorrow,

Dave