My Vacation (Read 529 times)

[Kpatch]

A few people have asked about vacation, so I thought I’d tell you all at once that it was wonderful. One of the most relaxing getaways ever. Ron and I have been going to Siesta Key since we started dating. We go at least once a year now and we have our favorite haunts and hideouts. Well, not really hideouts, but it’s become our home away from home.

We always stop at Whole Foods in Sarasota on our way down and we buy some wine, crackers and cheese, which we eat on our verandah (okay, really a small screened porch at the motel, but I’m a writer so I have to make it sound more romantic.)

We rode the bus a couple times. Siesta Key has a great on-time bus system for a little town. It’s way better than Tampa’s bus system, which is known as TART. No wait, it’s HART. Hillsborough Area Rapid Transit. Rapid. Ha! We did have an interesting experience with a very jittery bus driver who whipped right past the turn he was supposed to make, so he cut through a parking lot to turn around. To say he was distracted is an understatement. He stopped short at every stop like it was a surprise. I think he was busy thinking about the 3% he was going to have to start contributing to his pension plan.

There’s always a funny Ron story and here it goes: We were sitting in the courtyard on the first day reading and relaxing. Ron says he’s going to take a shower and get ready to go out to dinner and I was going to sit and read in the courtyard some more. So he heads for the room and he calls to me saying “kpatch, my key won’t work.” Okay, he doesn’t call me kpatch. But he couldn’t get his key card to work and he turned it every which way. So I came over and was about to try it too when I looked around at the verandah and realized it was the wrong room. LOL. It was the room next to ours. Granted, they all look alike (except if you read the room number out front) but it was quite humorous and it will be a while before I let him live it down.

We saw a movie. We see a movie every year when we go to Siesta Key and it’s the only time we see a movie all year. I had no idea until we got there what we were going to see and I had no preconceived notions when we walked in to see Water for Elephants. But it was a really good movie. It was a period piece about a fictitious circus disaster in 1931. I enjoyed it. Did any of you see it?

The resort motel where we stay is within walking distance of the beach on one side and the village/shops/restaurants on the other. We watched the gorgeous Florida sunsets and we walked the award-winning sugar-sand beaches. Stuck our toes in the emerald green Gulf waters and watched the sea birds fly. I am ready to go back.

Boy, I do get long-winded. I was going to just write a couple lines.

Thanks for holding down the fort while I was gone. Love you guys!

[MrsM]

Glad you had a good time!! I could so go for a relaxing stay at the beach right now.

[sportsgirl]

I am so jealous.. I haven't had a vacation in 9 years... So glad you had a great time and that story is too funny... OMG, what if the key had worked??
But also glad you are back!!

Also jealous you have a Whole Foods as I live out in the boonies! I hear they are great.

[fluffysmom]

I am glad that you enjoyed your vacation so much. It sounds perfect! I am glad to have you back!

[DancingDays]

My hubby and I have wanted to drive down to the Keys forever, but we never just go. We aren't really sure where to go, so we just stay here or go on cruises out of Port Canaveral. I'd love to get down to the Keys. *dreams of gorgeous beach* *sigh*

Where did you stay? What's the approximate cost (if you don't mind my asking)? Can you post some pictures of the beach?

[Kpatch]

Siesta Key isn't one the keys you're thinking of DD. It's off Sarasota, about 70 miles south of Tampa, so it's in the west central part of the state. I actually didn't take a camera this trip because we've been there so many times. We've stayed at different places and the rates vary greatly, depending on what you're looking for. PM me if you want more info and I'll tell you what I know. Here is a website with photos and info on accommodations.

www.worldbeachvacation.com/tag/siesta-public-beach/

[DancingDays]

Oops. Guess I need to bone up on my Florida geography.

Thanks for the link. I'll be sure to check it out.

[MrsM]

Ok I am sold just by the one picture on the website!!!

[ghoulgirl]

Glad to hear you had a great vacation jkjpatch! I am jealous. I have always wanted to go to the keys but Husband has been there numerous times in his life so we always try to go somewhere where we both haven't been before.

Funny your husband was trying to get into the wrong room. LOL Sounds like something I would do. haha

[sportsgirl]

That beach looks gorgeous! I am sold also

[Kpatch]

Here's some more pictures to tempt you. I may need to contact the chamber of commerce and ask about a finders fee. LOL.

Good info here. Scroll down to see lots of pictures:
www.beachhunter.net/siestakey.htm

Live webcam:
www.sarasotasurf.com/Webcam.aspx

[MrsM]

That sure looks fabulous considering it is 50 and raining here.

[Pallison]

What a wonderful vacation...!!! We took a drive down in your neck of the woods to Sanibel Island several years back looking at boats and it was gorgeous....you can't beat the white sand beaches on the gulf side of Florida in my opinion....I would recommend the west coast of Florida way before the East coast or "the" Keys....much much prettier and slower and calmer and more relaxing......I envy you your location and your vacations....and I love your reports of them....!!!! How nice of Ron to keep us entertained with his vacation faux pas'...!!

[MrsM]

Welcome back Pallison!!! We missed you!

[Pallison]

Thank you MrsM...!!! Glad to be back.....I have missed soooo much, I must write a paragraph, or two or three when I catch up....!!!!!