There is just something about a getaway that lifts the spirits and fills you with joy, especially when there is a beach and sunshine involved. Florida has been our destination for a few years now. Hawaii is absolutely amazing and a true slice of paradise, but Florida is as close as you get on the mainland, it's also easier on the wallet and closer to fly to. I am not big on flying, so the less time in the air and on an airplane, the better! Florida has the white beaches, and warm sunshine. Mark and I planned to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Our first plans were to go in early February. We had our entire vacation booked for early February, but as the time drew near, I continually felt reluctant about our timing. God was making it clear to me we needed to stay home. One day I finally told Mark, I just cant leave right now with both aunts health, so I called our travel agent and canceled our whole trip. We had insurance and only had a small penalty. Everything happened during those dates we would have been gone. Later we talked to a travel agent and made new reservations. We wanted to getaway before March when the college students go on spring break and before we get in the field. We were ready to escape, for some warm weather, and some happiness. Our winter had been full of sadness and sorrow combined with frigid cold and blizzards.
We re-booked our entire trip very last minute, but weren't able to get the same location as first planned. We were able to pack up and fly out on the 26th to a destination I knew nothing about. Our travel
Tuesday started with a morning flight. After arriving and missing a meal, we ate at a delicious Italian place. We arrived at our resort, checking in at a security point with a very intimidating guard. It was dark and raining making it hard to find our way. The resort was huge and very spread out. I had no expectations and didn't have any idea what kind of place it would be. It exceeded our expectations all the way around. Our room was very large with a complete kitchen, two vanity areas, a patio and deck with a beautiful beach view. We were in love. The air was clean, warm, and lovely. We were happy to be away from the cold, chaos, and stress of home.
Wednesday morning as soon as the sun was up, we opened our sliding glass patio door to let the sounds and smells of the ocean in. We we were up early and took a walk on the beach by 8 am in shorts and tee shirt. We made it an every morning routine to be up early and take our morning walk. The beach was perfect, soft white sand and cool under your feet. There were only a handful of people each morning and new sea shells here and there to gather. Mark and I probably walked a mile each day. Most days we would have a large breakfast and then one big meal of the day and snacks in between. Day one we ate at our hotel buffet. It was amazing, I think the best food ever. Piles of flapjacks, bacon, potatoes, french toast, pastries, fresh fruits, and a made to order omelet chef. We spent our first day soaking in the sunshine. After spending a cold winter, we just crave the warmth and sun. We sat on the resort beach chairs with a good book, read, rested, and sun bathed. The sun wasn't too hot and there was a slight breeze. Everyone at the resort is so kind and courteous, helping you in any way. There were servers on the beach and fresh fruit infused water. We only ordered one drink poolside the whole week, it was $16. That was enough to scare you. So many people sat on the beach and ordered groups of drinks over and over again. It was like an unlimited supply to them. I value money too much to watch it be consumed so wastefully. It was just nice to feel the sun and hear the ocean waves. Mark was joking back at home sarcastically telling the kids, "what you want to do on vacation is get all your sun in one day and get completely sunburn." Well guess what Mark did. We are pretty sure he forgot to put his sunblock anywhere from his waist up. He had a t- shirt on for awhile, but once he took it off, he ended up frying. During the night he just kept getting pinker and redder, kind of like a lobster.. He was so embarrassed and mad at himself. I got a nice crisp, but didn't burn.
My mom told me I should look up her cousin Linda, who lives in Sarasota. Linda is my Great Uncle Harley's daughter. Harley was my grandmother Lillian Laugerman's brother. We contacted her and she invited us to see her elaborate home and took us out to dinner and treated us at her country club. We didn't realize how classy the area we would be staying or visiting on our trip would be. I wished I had packed nicer clothes. IT was raining all the way to Linda's and what was a 20 mile drive took us an hour. 20 miles in Florida is not 20 minutes, so we were a bit late. Linda's home was gorgeous with amazing detailed 28 foot table, chairs, and furniture from Spain, and an indoor pool. She also had a heated toilet that she always tells her guest they must try.
She talked of her recent divorce, a European man divorced her 3 days after marriage and they had built the house together. He just needed a green card to stay in the country, how heartbreaking for her. She also talked over her 2nd husband who she adopted two twin boys with when she was 47. The boys are 25 now. It was a nice time and Linda invited us to come back anytime and stay with her. We jut might have to. I told her she should come to Iowa for a visit. She just loves the farm life and laughed about finding her a cowboy.
Thursday we took our beach walk, then had spa appointments. We both had an 80 minute hot stone massage. That was my first hot stone massage and I enjoyed it much! Then it was back to the beach for more sun. We like to spend some time poolside and then sit at the beach. Mid afternoon the sky was growing dark and you could see the rain clouds come in. We sat on the beach until we felt the sprinkles. I love this picture below of Mark.
One day Mark got a call from a man named Steve that buys Salford parts and farms near Huxley. In talking we discovered he was only a few miles away in Florida and invited us out to dinner. He is a big farmer that spends months on the north end of the island of Longboat Key. His wife had gone back to do book work, so it was jut him taking us out to a nice place. Our table was on the beach and we had great food. It was a chilly evening so I was cold but it was fun and Mark enjoyed the conversation. We were all amazed to be in the same place at the same time and meet up.
Friday, after morning breakfast we went to the John Ringling circus museum and the winter mansion. There was so much history that I included a blog post about it. There was also a John Tibals Miniature circus all created by hand by the man himself. It was amazing. He dedicated years to creating the mini model of the circus down to the finest detail. He continues his work and it keeps growing. We had lunch along a dock and took our photo with the famous statue of the naval officer and nurse, known as "Unconditional Surrender." We spent the afternoon by the pool for some nice sun and floating in the pool. I like to make slow laps side strokes and back floating. Burning some calories, yet relaxing.
Saturday we took bikes from our resort and went on a ride down to the shops. It was a few miles and we crossed a couple bridges all in the warm sun. The shops were along St. Armands street and they were pretty swanky high class shops. I was prepared for the typical souvenir T-shirt shops that we visit at every other vacation we have ever been on. This was very different, high society designer names. I felt very out of place and under dressed in my biking attire. We ate amazing Italian for an early lunch and spent the rest of the day on the beach lounging and in by the pool. We went back downtown dressed for the area and went for ice cream. We walked around and saw the sights. So many people were out driving and walking. The cars that drove through the area made your jaw drop, Porche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce. There was money everywhere! In the center of the block there was a violin that played fabulous music, I could have sat all night and listened.
Sunday we were up early to get one last walk on the beach, soak in all the sun and warmth we could, and have breakfast. It was hard to leave such amazing weather and warmth. What a great way to celebrate 20 years of marriage. I am a lucky woman!
We re-booked our entire trip very last minute, but weren't able to get the same location as first planned. We were able to pack up and fly out on the 26th to a destination I knew nothing about. Our travel
Tuesday started with a morning flight. After arriving and missing a meal, we ate at a delicious Italian place. We arrived at our resort, checking in at a security point with a very intimidating guard. It was dark and raining making it hard to find our way. The resort was huge and very spread out. I had no expectations and didn't have any idea what kind of place it would be. It exceeded our expectations all the way around. Our room was very large with a complete kitchen, two vanity areas, a patio and deck with a beautiful beach view. We were in love. The air was clean, warm, and lovely. We were happy to be away from the cold, chaos, and stress of home.Wednesday morning as soon as the sun was up, we opened our sliding glass patio door to let the sounds and smells of the ocean in. We we were up early and took a walk on the beach by 8 am in shorts and tee shirt. We made it an every morning routine to be up early and take our morning walk. The beach was perfect, soft white sand and cool under your feet. There were only a handful of people each morning and new sea shells here and there to gather. Mark and I probably walked a mile each day. Most days we would have a large breakfast and then one big meal of the day and snacks in between. Day one we ate at our hotel buffet. It was amazing, I think the best food ever. Piles of flapjacks, bacon, potatoes, french toast, pastries, fresh fruits, and a made to order omelet chef. We spent our first day soaking in the sunshine. After spending a cold winter, we just crave the warmth and sun. We sat on the resort beach chairs with a good book, read, rested, and sun bathed. The sun wasn't too hot and there was a slight breeze. Everyone at the resort is so kind and courteous, helping you in any way. There were servers on the beach and fresh fruit infused water. We only ordered one drink poolside the whole week, it was $16. That was enough to scare you. So many people sat on the beach and ordered groups of drinks over and over again. It was like an unlimited supply to them. I value money too much to watch it be consumed so wastefully. It was just nice to feel the sun and hear the ocean waves. Mark was joking back at home sarcastically telling the kids, "what you want to do on vacation is get all your sun in one day and get completely sunburn." Well guess what Mark did. We are pretty sure he forgot to put his sunblock anywhere from his waist up. He had a t- shirt on for awhile, but once he took it off, he ended up frying. During the night he just kept getting pinker and redder, kind of like a lobster.. He was so embarrassed and mad at himself. I got a nice crisp, but didn't burn.
My mom told me I should look up her cousin Linda, who lives in Sarasota. Linda is my Great Uncle Harley's daughter. Harley was my grandmother Lillian Laugerman's brother. We contacted her and she invited us to see her elaborate home and took us out to dinner and treated us at her country club. We didn't realize how classy the area we would be staying or visiting on our trip would be. I wished I had packed nicer clothes. IT was raining all the way to Linda's and what was a 20 mile drive took us an hour. 20 miles in Florida is not 20 minutes, so we were a bit late. Linda's home was gorgeous with amazing detailed 28 foot table, chairs, and furniture from Spain, and an indoor pool. She also had a heated toilet that she always tells her guest they must try.
She talked of her recent divorce, a European man divorced her 3 days after marriage and they had built the house together. He just needed a green card to stay in the country, how heartbreaking for her. She also talked over her 2nd husband who she adopted two twin boys with when she was 47. The boys are 25 now. It was a nice time and Linda invited us to come back anytime and stay with her. We jut might have to. I told her she should come to Iowa for a visit. She just loves the farm life and laughed about finding her a cowboy.
Thursday we took our beach walk, then had spa appointments. We both had an 80 minute hot stone massage. That was my first hot stone massage and I enjoyed it much! Then it was back to the beach for more sun. We like to spend some time poolside and then sit at the beach. Mid afternoon the sky was growing dark and you could see the rain clouds come in. We sat on the beach until we felt the sprinkles. I love this picture below of Mark.
One day Mark got a call from a man named Steve that buys Salford parts and farms near Huxley. In talking we discovered he was only a few miles away in Florida and invited us out to dinner. He is a big farmer that spends months on the north end of the island of Longboat Key. His wife had gone back to do book work, so it was jut him taking us out to a nice place. Our table was on the beach and we had great food. It was a chilly evening so I was cold but it was fun and Mark enjoyed the conversation. We were all amazed to be in the same place at the same time and meet up.
Friday, after morning breakfast we went to the John Ringling circus museum and the winter mansion. There was so much history that I included a blog post about it. There was also a John Tibals Miniature circus all created by hand by the man himself. It was amazing. He dedicated years to creating the mini model of the circus down to the finest detail. He continues his work and it keeps growing. We had lunch along a dock and took our photo with the famous statue of the naval officer and nurse, known as "Unconditional Surrender." We spent the afternoon by the pool for some nice sun and floating in the pool. I like to make slow laps side strokes and back floating. Burning some calories, yet relaxing.
Saturday we took bikes from our resort and went on a ride down to the shops. It was a few miles and we crossed a couple bridges all in the warm sun. The shops were along St. Armands street and they were pretty swanky high class shops. I was prepared for the typical souvenir T-shirt shops that we visit at every other vacation we have ever been on. This was very different, high society designer names. I felt very out of place and under dressed in my biking attire. We ate amazing Italian for an early lunch and spent the rest of the day on the beach lounging and in by the pool. We went back downtown dressed for the area and went for ice cream. We walked around and saw the sights. So many people were out driving and walking. The cars that drove through the area made your jaw drop, Porche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce. There was money everywhere! In the center of the block there was a violin that played fabulous music, I could have sat all night and listened.
Sunday we were up early to get one last walk on the beach, soak in all the sun and warmth we could, and have breakfast. It was hard to leave such amazing weather and warmth. What a great way to celebrate 20 years of marriage. I am a lucky woman!
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