I've spent a lot of time in Florida, John and never once has a pelican invited me for a visit :)
Last year I spent a week in Cuba with my wife. At the time I was not composing at all and was unsure about where I wanted to head with my music. I seriously considered returning alone to spend a couple of weeks finding my way. I have dreamed of doing this sort of thing. Find a small hole in a Havana wall and set up camp. Coffee in the morning, do some writing mid morning, lunch on the street, nice walk, write some more, drinks after supper, live band, early to bed. That would be nice. Hmmmmm You've got me thinking again John ;) Dangerous stuff this thinking....
well, my friend was a heron named Harry -I really missed him when we left. Needed a pelican for its symbolic significance. And yes, a change of scene stimulates things - although, I think this can be accomplished locally. My sister in law went to the south of France to write...uh yeah...lifestyles of the rich & famous, lol