For the past 3 years, I’ve had the good fortune to travel to Florida in March. The snow and cold temperatures are left behind, and I am greeted by springtime on the gulf coast. Tons of color, cooling breezes, gorgeous horizons, and dear friends. The trip is never long enough, but 3 full days offers a welcome break from the routine.
I’m even getting comfortable with flying. Yes, as odd as it seems, the woman who rides a motorcycle has a tendency to be a bit nervous on a plane.
The first day in Florida found us enjoying delicious food at Columbia Restaurant, followed by a bit of shopping and walking.
The next morning, after coffee, yogurt, and fresh fruit by the pool (aka hot tub), we were walking Lido Beach.
The camera was rarely out of my hand!!
And thank goodness for that!
This little guy was hunkered down in a footprint.
And this guy seemed to be saying “what are you looking at?”
After a couple hours of walking, it was time to find lunch and to explore some local history.
Next Post: Spanish Point
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
The west coast usually has more shells on the beach the east coast – do find that to be true? It sure looked like you all had a great time!!
I’ve been to Florida 3 times now, and each time, it has been to the west coast. We’d come across areas on the beach where the tide had washed in a lot of shells. Just beautiful! The next post will have some of those images.
Good to hear!
Going to Florida every March sounds like a great tradition to me! Love your photos. Maybe next winter I’ll find a sunny getaway to recharge and get some Vit D…
What’s fun is that this trip is about exploring Florida. We’ve visited State Parks, Farmer’s Markets, Museum (specifically a Museum of Art & Whimsy), and an historic pioneer property. There’s so much to learn about Florida!
And one more thing … I hope you do get to enjoy a sunny getaway soon. It’s incredible how restorative just 3 days can be.
Beautiful images Laurie 🙂 It looks like you had a great time and it is so good to get away and just enjoy life and recharge your batteries.
Yes, it was good to get away from the Job (not the patients, mind you; the Job) 🙂
Laurie, these were wonderful! I read in one of your responses above that you have a part 2 in the wings. This will be fun! I loved Florida when I lived there (Gulf Coast, Pensacola). White sand, dunes, sea oats, and oddly, pines that grew right along with the palms in the sand. In a word: Beautiful.
Lynda, how wonderful that you lived on the Gulf Coast. I know that the summers get terribly hot, and the tourists (like me!) can be stifling, but the history and beauty of Florida is fascinating. So different from Virginia, and so much to explore!
Well, to be honest I was stationed there. 😉 NAS Pensacola.
Looks like a wonderful way to spend a few days Laurie! Enjoy your visit!
Hi Lynn, the trip was wonderful! I’m home now, and working through the hundreds of photos that I took 🙂
Travel safely, and thanks for sharing your adventure.
It was such a great getaway. I’m back home now, and working through all of the photos. It may take a while 🙂
I like your March tradition. It comes at a perfect time of year when we all need a dose of warmth and sunshine as balm for our winter weary hearts. Gorgeous photos – you’ve capture the ambiance of beautiful long weekend 🙂
Thank you, Joanne, glad the photos brought you some warmth! and aren’t traditions wonderful? We should all have those special traditions, don’t you think?
Strangely, the older I get, the more I understand the power of traditions 🙂
Me, too! They are precious gifts … the planning, the doing, and the remembering. And then the planning again!
You’ve done a lovely job of capturing so many soothing images of Florida! I could just feel those balmy, humid breezes tousling my hair about! Enjoy the trip… and thank you for taking us along. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed these image, Lori. What I love about this annual trip is that for much of it, we are exploring the natural and historic history of Florida. The feel of the breeze, the walks in the gulf are just so restorative!
Looks like you all had a good time 🙂
Definitely!! Now I’m thinking about weekend bike trips. I am ready!
And speaking of bike trips … did you ever decided to start riding again?
Possibly. Still thinking about it..
Beaches, oceans, birds, blue skies and good friends. How much better can it get? A little like going to Heaven. 🙂
Couldn’t have said it better. Definitely heaven on earth!
Great photos LB…wish I was there again! What beach were you at? That rock formation looks like some shots I took at John’s Pass near Seminole, or near St. Pete’s. Anyway…always nice to be in Fl in March – Dave
We stayed in Nokomis, and explored several places in and around Sarasota. This beach was Lido Beach and we also did some walking on Siesta Beach.
So you know some of Florida, then? I like exploring the more natural part of the state. So beautiful!
There is so much to see in Fl…beyond the beaten path. you’re right, it is so beautiful. ~ Dave
I feel warmer and rested just looking at these images and reading your words…much needed, MUCH. thank you
Liana! I’m so glad to hear from you, and happy to know that you enjoyed these images.
Hope you are well, my friend.
I love how you get round all these places and have such a great time while doing it. It looks a bit grey and windy on the beach, but you my dear, look just beautiful!! xoxo
Thanks for putting a smile to my face after a long challenging day in the office.
Did you get a chance to do walk with Siddy today?
Yes. We only miss if the weather is really bad. I get herded if I’m a bit tardy in the mornings. 🙂 When do things change at the office?
All the photos are great, but the birds are fabulous!!! You look relaxed. Enjoy your time!
Thanks Lisa! A friend has been letting me borrow one of his zoom lenses and it made the difference with the birds.
That had to be a wonderful weekend with girlfriends, sand, beach and plenty of photo opportunities. Awesome photos, Laurie, I’m anxious to see what’s next.
Thanks, Mary. So glad you like these, and yes, the weekend with girlfriends is not to be beat!
Lots more photos to process 🙂
Oh! Your photos are wonderful–they really capture the range of sights in Florida. Except, off course, you didn’t post the shots of the commercial strips and the traffic jam on the way to the beach . . . 😉
oh my goodness, the traffic!
I definitely love to visit and explore the natural and historical part of Florida, but the traffic (and of course the heat in the summer), would keep me from ever staying down there for long.
What a fun trip, Laurie. I love your tradition of getting away each March. The vistas are beautiful and inviting.
The shot of the seagull checking you out is wonderful. I like the bird hunkering down in a footprint as well. Great shots one and all. The one that made me smile the most though, is the photo of you and your friends. Good times enrich the soul.
I do love a tradition, and this one provides precious time away from the day to day, time to explore, and to breathe. Lovely!
Lovely indeed.
Wow….wonderful shots….it looks so much fun💕
It really was! it’s such a different world down there 🙂
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We overlapped! I was down that way last week. Looks like a wonderful time!