Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunrise Over the Library
This kind of glorious sunrise makes getting up early to walk worth every bit of effort!
We're Big Enough to Laugh at Ourselves!
Mom and I think that this may qualify as the Best Bumper Sticker Ever!
Pink & White Polka Dot House
Yep, it's true...Anna Maria Island has its first pink polka dot house, and it's wonderful! This is why we love living here...there's a pink polka dot house and it actually works.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Perfection in Purple
Mom & I found this perfect purple orchid on display at the Island Garden Villas.
One of Our Favorite Things
Top on our list of favorite things on Anna Maria Island are the perfect beach access paths that dot the landscape. We found this one at the end of 70th Street in Holmes Beach.
No Fries?
No matter how many times I see these signs, I always read the instructions as No Dogs, Litter, or Fries...and always wonder why we can't have fries on the beach!
The Argument Against Post Office Boxes
Somehow, my utilitarian box at the Post Office (the only way to receive mail in the village of Anna Maria) seems terribly dull next to this fabulous specimen. Possibly reason enough to abandon the north end and move to Holmes Beach?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
June 21st through the 24th
We've been walking! First we headed down Gulf Drive from Haley's and hit every little street and parking lot west of Gulf all the way up to the traffic light at Holmes and Palm. Then we walked the length of Holmes Boulevard, and now we've finished every single street between Holmes Blvd and Gulf Drive, even the little streets between Gulf Drive and Palm at the north end. Phew!
Ready for the Fourth
We love this house with the big front porch nestled at the beach under the Australian Pines.
Garden Party
We couldn't get enough of the garden at Island Garden Villas! Someone's gone to an amazing amount of work to create this wonderful Eden right here in Holmes Beach.
Shell Art
While on the mailbox theme, we love this one decorated with found objects from the nearby beach.
Happy Things Only
It's hard to imagine that this wonderful mailbox ever has yucky bills inside! Mom and I like to think that only fun invitations, large checks, and handwritten letters from friends ever rest inside!
High Rise Condos, Anna Maria Island Style
Plenty of woodpeckers have made their homes up and down the length of this palm trunk totem pole!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
June 18th
It's been a hectic week, making it hard to keep up with anything except walking. Mom and I are happy to report, however, that as of today, we've completed the town of Anna Maria, having walked every street, all of the beach, and many of the beach paths in its borders...hooray! It's a really satisfying feeling to know that we've really experienced an area, rather than wondering what's down a certain street, or what the beach looks like on the Bay side.
We made tiny inroads into Holmes Beach before we headed home today, but lots of new adventures await...starting Monday!
Oleander & Poppy Path
A wide walkway lined with pink oleanders and purple Mexican Poppies took us to our first beach stop in Holmes Beach.
Colorful Quotes
Walk the beach access off of Peppertree, and you'll discover these colorful quotes dotting the path. These kindly owners have also filled their property with interesting statues, so it's worth a visit!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Simpler Times
This rambling bungalow has always been one of our favorite houses on the Island, conjuring up images of lazy summer days at the beach swinging on the front porch with a good book.
Seagulls in Feeding Frenzy!
These seagulls were causing quite a ruckus this morning, foraging for berries on this giant banyan tree at the end of Beach.
Banyan & Giraffe
There's a fabulous piece of property that runs along the beach between Park Avenue and Beach. I couldn't get the REALLY big banyan in a decent picture, but if you're in the area, make a point of driving down Park for a breathtaking view. This banyan can be found at the end of Beach. Mom and I love the "giraffe!"
South Pacific or Gulf of Mexico?
Early morning at the Siam Gardens (now Sunset Gardens) in Anna Maria. Great property for a larger group to rent (think wedding parties!). I had a chance to tour the entire property, and it's a really lovely spot.
Anna Maria's Most Creative Garden
If you travel to the north end of the Island, you can't help noticing the adorable Spanish Colonial-style house at the corner of Maple and Gulf. The gardener's imaginative use of colorful plates as a border, combined with a wonderful variety of plants, makes this a place we always want to notice.
Secret Path
One of our favorite places on the Island, the "Secret Path" follows the beach from Gulf Boulevard at the north to Maple Avenue at the south.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
June 17th
Busy with birthday celebrations, I have neglected my bloggin duties for several days...but the walking has continued! We've walked the beach, as well as east-of-Gulf portions of Hardin, Magnolia, Palm, Oak (where we met the nicest woman walking her 14-year-old Bischon), and Periwinkle Plaza. I vow to write every day so I can keep better track!
Lovely Color Combos
I love this happy accident of electric blue plumbago blossoms next to the purple Mexican poppies. I know they weren't planted next to each other on purpose, as this photo was taken in my front yard!
The Breakfast Bunch
This flock of Ibis had no problem finding plenty of breakfast with their busy beaks.
Tarpon Caught by Hand!
Strange but true! Actually, mom and I spotted this 4-foot tarpon resting on the bottom just a few feet off the shore. Thinking it might have succumbed to some oil spill-related health problems, I waded in to bring him onto the shore. Talk about heavy! And slippery! I barely managed to get him out of the water before taking this picture. Just before I pulled him in, a 3-foot shark gave him the once-over, clearly deciding he was too big for breakfast. Local crabs, however, had no such compunctions, and went scurrying when I moved the large fish.
Breakfast Prowl
This blue heron twisted himself into all sorts of unusual positions as he eyed his catch.
Dave & Tami 6-6-10
Mom & I spotted this charming reminder of a recent wedding while enjoying a walk on the beach Wednesday morning.
One of Anna Maria's Best Treasures
This little museum at the corner of Crescent & Pine is one of our favorite Anna Maria treasures. A visit to this free museum will give you glimpses into a fascinating past, including photos and memories of the movie "On An Island With You," starring Ricardo Montalban, Esther Williams, Jimmy Durante, and other big post-war names. Curious to see what Anna Maria was like before all the development? You can rent the film at Netflix!
Lake LaVista Reflections
Crossing the humpback bridge on Crescent, we spotted this lovely reflection. It's amazing how absolutely still the water can be at times.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
June 14th
Mom and I took Saturday and Sunday off while I prepared for the arrival of family and friends. Then it was back to walking on Monday morning! We finished a couple of spots north of Pine, walked the length of Pine and Spring, hit every tree street west of Gulf, and walked the "secret path" we love so much.
A Promise Kept
As promised, we kept an eye on the cactus on Blue Heron Drive. Here it is, blooms bursting forth!
The SS Grouper Sandwich
Fresh herbs have an imaginative home at The Sandbar Restaurant. Find out how to have the yummiest sunset dinner, or the most picturesque beachside wedding by logging onto www.groupersandwich.com
Ideal Beach Cottage
We love this wonderful cottage tucked away under the Australian Pines at the end of Maple Avenue.
Giant Asparagus?
Walk along that little secret path, and you'll see the occasional Sentry Plant (or is it Century Plant? Mom's the expert; I'll check with her and get back to you) standing tall. They remind us of so many giant asparagus stalks. Hollandaise, anyone?
Beach Access from the Vicinity of Willow Street
If you're lucky, you've discovered the "secret" walkway that connects those little tree streets west of Gulf Drive from Gulf Boulevard and Palm Avenue at the north, to Maple Avenue at the south. Idyllic beach access awaits!
Whispering Australian Pines
Not only do we love Australian Pines because they produce such lovely shade, but they make the most wonderful whispering sound as the wind travels through their branches. Mom, who grew up on Casey Key (called Treasure Island in those days) and Siesta Key, both of which are replete with Australian Pines, says this sound is one of her most-treasured childhood memories.
Most Loved, or Most Reviled?
Anna Maria certainly has its share of polarizing issues, but perhaps none with such possible long-term consequences as the battle over "native" vs. "non-native" plant species. Pictured here are two of the contested plants, a carrotwood tree in the foreground, and a big Australian Pine a little further back. I'll tell you right up front that mom and I LOVE these two shade-producing beauties, but some people will send us hate mail for saying that!Certain influential individuals on the island would like to see all non-native species cut down and placed in the shredder, in large part because they feel that Anna Maria should go back to its original appearance as a Gulf Coast barrier island, filled with palmettos, cabbage palms, seagrapes, and other native species. They want to keep Anna Maria looking like itself, rather than have humans try to turn it into something that it was never intended to be. We can't argue with that desire...we want to keep the unique beauty that is Anna Maria, not see it turn into Key West. And we love their work; if you want to see great examples of native plantings, all you have to do is visit the Sandbar Restaurant, the Anna Maria City Hall, and Mrs. Chiles' beautiful art gallery at the corner of Gulf & Pine.
However, we agree with Thomas Edison when he arrived at what would be his new winter home on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River in Ft. Myers. Found in its native state, it was HOT! He planted a host of exotic species to bring shade to his family's winter headquarters, and many of them have been thriving for almost 100 years. They've withstood hurricanes, blights, and freezes, and have left the landscape enhanced, not endangered.
Non-native species that would be destroyed? Those beautiful Royal Poincianas just finishing their June bloom, all citrus trees, frangipanis in all their lovely hues, and our beloved Australian Pines and carrotwood trees. We hope people will start thinking this through, before the shredder gobbles up all of these Island treasures.
First Sea Turtle Nest
The location of Anna Maria Island's first sea turtle nest in 2010 is just off the walkway by Palmetto Street. Mom and I took this picture on Monday morning, and by the time we walked the beach today, another nest had been identified and marked off.
Stuffed Fish
This beachfront garden on Gulf Boulevard invites human smiles with its fish planters and window boxes, and earns canine accolades for the big seashell bowl of water ready to quench the biggest thirst!
Window on the Beach
Mom and I love this quintessential beach-view window gracing one of the cottages lining the surprisingly-named Gulf Boulevard.
Monday Morning Special
Already faded by Tuesday morning, these lilies were a cheerful sight for Monday morning eyes.
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