Spring Break 2014

Last year I went to Florida for spring break. Loved it! I finally understood why so many people ventured south for a week. Warm temperatures, sunny skies, sandy beaches…I had every intention of making this southern trek a new spring break routine. And after 150 inches of snowfall in Holland this winter, it would have been the perfect year to go south for spring break. 

But I didn't. I stayed home. Some people have coined a fancy term, stay-cation, but basically I just relaxed at home and worked on a few projects. My big intention was to do a mini-remodel of my kitchen; buy new appliances and paint the walls. However I still haven't decided on paint color and when looking at appliances I found I will need an electrician and plumber to do some work before the appliances are installed. So the kitchen work is now planned for summer vacation.

I've enjoyed seeing other people's vacation photos, but I just have a list to share. 

What I Did on my Spring Vacation

• turned off the alarm clock
• visited Captain Sundae for a "Tommy Turtle"
• got a massage (while Toby was at the dog groomer)
• watched the last of the snow piles in my yard (and neighborhood) disappear
• raked the back yard
• picked up all Toby's backyard winter deposits 
• cleaned the bathroom sink drain (in twenty minutes with no complications!)
• went shopping
• had a Frappuccino from Starbucks
• watched several movies that I had DVR'd a long time ago
• finished season 2 of the Twilight Zone
• practiced dog training with Toby
• had breakfast with one good friend and lunch with another
• researched kitchen appliances 
• looked at many pictures of kitchens (websites, magazines, photo searches, Pinterest ideas) and paint colors
• took a hike in the woods
• vacuumed the car
• put the rest of the Christmas stuff away
• read through a new reading unit I'll be teaching 
• sat on the deck in the chaise lounge
• my favorite - read several novels (Still Alice, Love Anthony, The First Phone Call From Heaven, The Light Between Oceans) and placed a hold for several more at the library   

Nature on Anna Maria Island

The beauty of God's creation was truly evident:

Lots of birds ...

water ...

shells ...

sea life ...

plants ...

sunsets ...

Praise the Lord!

Anna Maria Island (Spring Break 2013)

Now I see why so many people travel to Florida for spring break! This year I joined the mass exodus from west Michigan and flew to sunny Florida on April 1. We left the Chicago airport on a cloudy, cool morning and emerged from Tampa's airport a few hours later to sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s. What a wonderful difference! After getting our rental car, we drove about an hour to Anna Maria Island on the gulf coast, right near Bradenton.

We stayed at the Tradewinds Resort in the middle of the island. The beach was right across the street and the dock was on the bay. The cottages were simple, but charming. And I loved all the palm trees. The biggest thing I noticed was all the green in Florida.

We had a nice mix of relaxing time vs. activities. I spent about an hour on Tuesday morning hiking at a little park - Coquina Bay Walk - at the southern end of the island. Saw mangrove trees, several birds, lots of plants, and even talked with a little lizard. 

On Wednesday morning I took a kayak tour at Emerson Point Preserve with Shan-T Kayak Tours. We spent about 3 hours kayaking through mangrove tunnels, out on the bay, and in a little cove. It was awesome! The water was so clear we could see sea stars, sponges, and various fish among other sea life. Our guide was very knowledgeable and taught us a lot, including information about conch and sea cucumber - he also took our pictures while we held these interesting species of sea life! This was probably my favorite experience of the week (and only my second time kayaking).

Later in the week we visited the Southeastern Guide Dog School to pet some puppies and then visited the Mote Aquarium. After attending the Sea Lion show I got my picture taken with the sea lions!

We spent time just relaxing, both at the pool (and at our "sister" resort down the road after our pool was closed for repair) and at the beach. I also spent quite a bit of time sitting on the dock by the bay, searching for dolphins or manatees. Apparently I just missed a group of 5 dolphins swimming under the dock the day before, so I spent 4 hours the next afternoon waiting for them to return. Of course they didn't. But I did spend about 20 minutes conversing with a new friend. (We did see one dolphin swimming out on the north side of the island one evening.)

We enjoyed a nice dinner (and sunset) at the City Pier restaurant our first evening on the island.

What a wonderful, relaxing week! I think I like this idea of escaping going to Florida during spring break!

Thanks, mom and dad, for going with me.