I was lucky enough to get invited for a second year on Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island in Florida. It is located south of Tampa, close to Sarasota in Manatee county. The beach is as gorgeous as ever but a bit more crowded this year as the temperatures were a lot warmer..
As with a lot of beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, there are a lot of shells.
The birds are also spectacular although there is more variety inland.
The big attraction is always the sun set. It is an almost religious experience. People stand in silence and watch… and every night it is a different show… The more clouds the more spectacular the show.
I seem to often be traveling where the moon is full… This one was huge and yellow when it came up but I was surprised to find in in a pinkish sky right over the ocean the next morning when I woke up.
This is not a place for gastronomy, BUT I have to say it is home to best burgers I have ever had…at Duffy’s Tavern. Burgers, chips and beer…who could ask for anything more???
Another local celebrety is artist Emerson Quinllin. He paints whimsical ladies on everything from canvas to nightshirts….This one caught my eye…
On the way to the airport we stopped in St Petersburg to visit the new Dali Museum. This was my third visit to this museum but the first in this brand new home. This building is spectacular and should hopefully withstand hurricanes and not require the employees to move all the paintings at every storm warning. The art work presented is the same but the environment is more fitting to this amazing artist. Unfortunately the place is a victim of its success these days and it was way too crowded to appreciated the paintings or hear what the guide was saying…
But Shhhhhhh! this little piece of paradise must remain a well kept secret….