My mother and I, having grown tired of our same old walk at the north end of Anna Maria where we live, decided it was time for a change. Not that the island's quaint and quiet streets aren't endlessly charming, but we needed a new challenge.

Limited only by my need to actually show up on time for work every day (I'm the Property Manager for Betsy Hills Real Estate right here on the Island), and armed with plenty of curiosity, we set out to walk every square inch of this island...and we did it!

In fact, we had so much fun we decided to do it all over again, this time using my fancy new phone to take pictures, and figuring out how to do a blog so we might inspire others to enjoy not just Anna Maria Island, but every square inch of their own towns and neighborhoods as well.

Our daily refrain has been "I had NO idea this was here..." Now, when we're speeding along (a relative phrase...the speed limit here varies from a modest 25mph to a zippy 35mph) in our vehicles from one destination to the next, we actually KNOW what's down Avenue A or 78th Street west of Gulf Drive, instead of wishing for the nine-millionth time that we could explore. It's a great feeling to really get to know the place where you live...especially when you live in a place like Anna Maria Island!

In addition to conquering all those streets again, we're planning some other "Complete Anna Maria Island" experiences as well. So far we're going to walk every inch of the 7+ miles of actual white-sand beaches (let's pray they stay white with that hideous Gulf oil spill running unabated somewhere out there off the horizon), eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner in every breakfast, lunch, or dinner place (we're going to need a LOT more walking!), go in every shop, learn every variety of tree (we've been having a great time noticing tree trunks and being awe-struck by gorgeous blooms), and, if we can find someone who will loan us their small power boat while they're up north for the summer, travel every waterway. Along the way we'll take pictures and tell anyone who's interested what we found.

Whether you're a local Anna Maria Islander, or just visiting our lovely home, may you be inspired to explore The Complete Anna Maria Island!