In a previous post, “Why I love islands: beachcombing (sand and shell collecting),” I shared how I became fascinated with combing the beaches for shells. Although I grew up in southern Indiana, far from an ocean, I became exposed to turquoise ocean waters and white, sandy beaches during multiple childhood vacations in Florida with my …

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From the Greek word thalassa, meaning “sea,” a thalassophile can be defined as “a lover of the sea.” It is the perfect word to describe me, someone who loves the sea or ocean. I am a thalassophile, are you?

It’s not every day that you get to walk the beach with a “shellebrity.” Pam Rambo, shelling expert extraordinaire, based on Sanibel Island, Florida, graciously agreed to meet up with me, along with my husband, Stephen, when we were on vacation in Sanibel in early January.

Beachcombing is one of my favorite beach activities. Since childhood vacations in Florida with my family, I have been fascinated with shells. Not long ago, I removed…