Kathryn and Emily Visit Paradise

Did I tell you about our house? Walk out the front door and look left. Five blocks down the street, but in sight, is the bay and a small marina. If you like, you can take advantage of "You Only Live Once" parasailing at this spot. This name did not inspire great confidence. Thus, no parasailing this trip . . . 

And if you look to the right, across the street, paradise.

Our own little piece of paradise; Kathryn said it looks like the Caribbean.  Early morning strolls filed with wild life, turtle-watching, and yes John, even an occasional tree.  Once planted for windbreaks, these Australian pines don't fare well here. They are gradually being replaced with native Florida palms.

http://www.islandturtles.com/

Waiting patiently next to a fellow casting into the surf was this guy; thinking he'd get breakfast without much effort, I guess. Let the human do the fishing . . .

Acknowledging that we only live once and wanting to take advantage of the perfect weather, we opted out of parasailing in favor of paddle boarding.

After a morning of hard paddling, it was lunch on the beach and seafood for all.

If you know anything about us, you know we're all about food. After a little shopping and a power nap, we ventured out for supper. Since it looks like the Caribbean, why not eat Caribbean? So we did!

Then off to catch the sunset . . .

Day 2 - Breakfast at the French "creperie" - tres magnifique!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34097-d391883-Reviews-Island_Creperie-Bradenton_Beach_Anna_Maria_Island_Florida.html

Headed to Lido Key for a kayak adventure through the mangrove tunnels. Our guide, Kelly, sharing a conch as we paddled around looking for manatees.

Manatees, according to Kelly, can be very social or not. We eventually happened upon a "pod" of 14 manatees. They checked us out briefly, swam around our kayaks, and then headed off to finish eating. Amazing! 

So is this house, amazing . . . just one of many throughout Sarasota.

Then paddled off to the mangrove tunnels, originally dug out in the 1950's so the area would be more habitable - for humans. 

http://discovermagazine.com/2011/apr/21-mangrove-tree-captures-carbon-filters-saltwater-stops-storms

Wet, tired, and salty, we head home to eat pizza and then enjoy our last sunset together!

Is it breakfast yet? Off to the 

for a seaside breakfast of Belgian waffles 

and then it's back to T-town for Kathryn and Emily  :  (

Laziness Sets In

Aside from computer work, I'm planning two lazy but luxurious days: beach today

Aveda spa tomorrow . . . 

Wish you were here!

The Ruins

The Ruins - Ok. Ok. You're wondering why I would title this post "The Ruins"? Have to read the book? or seen the movie? The main characters are man-eating plants. And not the funny kind as in Little Shop of Horrors funny.  Scary,  no one gets out alive, man-eating. And I listened to the book on my drive here several years ago. Some of these plants remind me of that book; they look like they could reach out and grab you!

On my way to 

Marie Selby Botanic Gardens

But first I was stopped by 

so this boat could get into the bay.

Into Sarasota, around Bay Front Drive

Past "Unconditional Surrender"

And finally . . . 

Enter the conservatory, filled with orchids, bromeliads, and other epiphytes (plants that grow in trees) - think tropical rainforest.

And my favorite . . .

Out into the Sho Fu Bonsai Patio where there were eight bonsai, this one began training in 1998.

And then on to the fern garden,

bamboo garden, and koi pond.

Through the Banyan grove, planted by the Selby's in the 1930's. Amazing trees, I always expect the roots to jump up and grab me!

A walk in the tree canopy: the first ADA accessible tree canopy walkway in the US.

On through to the Sarasota Bay view

 to the tree of enlightenment

Are you relieved that I did not take photos of all 9 acres? The blooming plants in the wildflower, fragrance, tropical fruit, and hibiscus gardens were not exceptional this time of year. But I'm including some of my favorites, mostly trees (John)

Emily, I found that funky pine. Another tree from Australia.

Cycads, one of the oldest land plants.

And then home . . .