Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Sarasota.....untouched by oil.....so far........

This was a bittersweet trip home for me. I was apprehensive about the condition of the water and beach on my first day out, but I was thrilled to discover it was still clean.....so far.

I spent every moment I could there, and ironically, I have never seen the water as clear as it was this week, and it was even cool for swimming, which surprised me.
It seemed to be glowing in defiance of the approaching destruction, but will it be able to survive all that oil, and the toxic dispersants the idiots are being allowed to spray on it out there?

I really couldn't get enough of this scene.......and I hated to leave, wondering if it will be safe to swim whenever I get back.
(There is a porpoise in the top left hand corner of the above picture----he was out a little far to see well in the photograph)

G'bye beach.....I'll never take you for granted again!


I love the bayfront marina area.....I used to work here in the summer during college, and it always brings back fun memories of my friends who lived on boats, and the interesting people I met from around the world who would moor off and row up for provisions.

There are lots of old Mediterranean style homes here......and the Banyan trees are so cool!

We had lunch here on the pier at the northern point of Anna Maria Island, and the water was so clear you could watch the fish swimming around......


This homeowner on the island made a cute dinner plate border around her bungalow!

Sunset overlooking Lemon Bay in Englewood at the fishing hole--there was a cool breeze and the mullet were jumping in the water........so far...so good.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

How beautiful! I pray the oil never comes to land here, I can't imagine this beautiful breath taking place covered in oil..
Glad you had a fabulous trip.

Melissa

bullie_mama said...

You are so lucky to be able to enjoy nature at its finest - it's amazingly beautiful. I hope that the oil doesn't make it that far. But at this point, it could reach me here in Seattle - there's so much of it. I hope the wildlife & oceans can bounce back from this awful human mistake.

Gracie's Cottage said...

Great photos and I hope the beach is spared.

I love that dinner plate border!

Granny said...

My son and daughter both live in Jacksonville and I love visiting. I never get enough of the beach when I'm there. I hate to think of the damage that will be done before the oil spill saga is finished.

The pictures are beautiful. I never get tired of looking at the graceful banyan trees.

House and Garden Boutique said...

We used to go to Sarasota every summer for 2 weeks when I was growing up for vacation. Longboat Key was the place and I just remember the beaches being so white & beautiful. I remember that marina. we used to walk out there at nighttime. It's all changed so much. I was there last October. But there is still a lot that is the same. St Armonds Circle.....love that place! They are great frozen marguaritas at a streetside restaurant on the circle!

Jennifer said...

I can't even allow myself to think about the oil spill, and I fear it is a bigger disaster than we know right now. I just pray that the land and water will be able to recover.

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

My grandma lived in Sarasota, I used to visit her twice a year and Siesta Key beach is my favorite beach of all time. The sand is amazing, and I have wonderful memories of that area. I saw in the paper today that it was named the 2nd best beach in the US. Lets hope the oil stays away!

Anonymous said...

Really enjoyed reading this post!
Wish I had been with you ladies on this trip!
Gloria McAllister
Roanoke, Virginia

gloria.mcallister@roanoke.com

countrycharisma said...

Nancy, so glad you had the trip home and found your beach again...clean. I have heard reports that the spill is not what the media is trying to make it into. Many families here have gone to Panama City and came home with the same report as you. We will see, and I hope for the best. We just got home from Hawaii visiting our son and family and got to love on the grandchildren for 8 days. It was an awesome time and so gorgeous. I posted some pix. Have a great summer.