I have been a little blue since returning from holiday so for fun I decided to revisit my trip to the beautiful gulf coast of Florida with a fun story and photos from my trip.
A dream called Florida
The plane landed with intention as if to announce its
arrival into The Tampa International Airport.
It was cloudy outside but I did not care. The minute I stepped out of
the plane, I could feel the humidity envelope me in her sweet embrace. After being in the desert for so long my skin
was thanking me and taking a big long hydrating drink. I made my way to the
train that would take me over to the baggage claim. I let out one long breath. It made me realize I had been holding my
breath for a month. :Note to self….Breath deep and breath often.
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| Beach path to paradise |
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| Lido Key Beach |
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| The road to Sarasota |
High above the emerald green waters of the Gulf from the
Sunshine Skyway Bridge I marveled at its architecture. I wondered how frightening it would be to
experience driving across her during a bad storm. I wondered at what point they shut the
freeway down. I looked out the window and saw the pelicans greeting my
arrival. I giggled at their gregarious
nature. Their amazing wingspan made them
fly in straight long lines and then they would dive bomb into the water to
catch their prize. Their heavy bodies, long necks and flat bills made them look
prehistoric to me. :Note to self…there is
no way I am getting back on a plane to leave.
My vehicle headed toward Sarasota and its little piece of
paradise known as the island of Lido Key. The lushly landscaped island plays
hide-and-seek and slowly reveals hidden white sugar sand beaches. I take off my
flip flops to feel the sand between my toes and drink in the day.
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| Phillippi Creek Village Oyster Bar http://www.creekseafood.com/ |
My visit to this island would not be complete without a spin
around St. Armand’s circle, home to chic boutiques and fabulous restaurants. My
strong affection for the Spanish Colonial Hemingway architecture leads to a
stop at Tommy Bahamas for a world-class pineapple mojito. The price of the
mojito is well worth the admission price to sit and bask in the design elements
of my delight. Entertained by the bartender as he pulled out his muddler and
went to work mashing mint and sugar to hand-craft my cocktail. He set the magic
elixir in front of me. I reached for the glass to take a sip, but I kept
hearing this strange noise. For some reason I could not get the drink to my
lips and that noise. What is that
annoying noise?
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| Upper level view Tommy Bahamas-St. Armands Circle http://www.tommybahama.com/TBG/Stores_Restaurants/Sarasota.jsp |
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| Pina Colada Cake |
Suddenly I realized I was in my bed, my alarm was bleating
that horrible battle cry to get up. I opened one eye, slowly cognizant that it
was Monday morning at 5 a.m. and I had dreamed a beautiful dream called
Florida.
Be Well,
Laurie
