Monday, May 9, 2011

Vacation Aaaahs




One month ago, we left on vacation, flying to Florida for a nine day stay, visiting old friends, our favorite island and our younger son.  After a cold winter of record snow in many parts of our great Northeast, we were oh so happy to escape to the sun, sand and aquamarine sea of Anna Maria Island.

The two photos below, side by side, are of the Anna Maria Pier at different times of the day.  The first is early dawn, a fisherman in silhouette, heading to the end of the pier to throw a line.  The right photo is dusk when lights go on and day is done.  It's the loveliest little pier.

 
 












The next two photos were taken at a gorgeous dinner arranged for us by the kids at the Turtle Club on Vanderbilt Beach, Naples.  My son and his GF spent time with us on AMI before returning to their apt on Vanderbilt Island.  She works at the Turtle Club which is lovely, right on the beach, awesome food and very chic.  We dressed up beach style and had a blast, evidenced by the happy faces. 



Sunset from our ringside table looks like this...
  


Just a snap but I love the look on my son's face here.


Now for a typical day at the beach.  The water is Caribbean blue; clear, clean, gorgeous.   

 

Beach equipment.  Where's the umbrella?

My favorite beach

 
Shark Watch


Yes, a baby hammerhead, swimming along the shore line.  Yikes!


    

 
  
 


A friend of mine is on his way down to AMI today.  He has ten days of this.  It is so awesome.  I cannnot ask for more.  


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19 comments:

Tanna said...

Okay, after the third year of reading how much you love this place, I am adding it to my bucket list! The look on your face at dinner... well, I want that contentment, too! ;) Glad you had a wonderful time with family and friends!

DJan said...

Oh, that sand and the crystal blue water! (sigh)

North County Film Club said...

It looks fantastic. Were you really up at dawn to take the "dawn pier photo"? I'm impressed.
Barbara

Marguerite said...

Fantastic pics and beach! Love the header pic! One of these days, I'm going to go there! Your son and his GF make a lovely couple and that sunset is gorgeous! Looks like ya'll had a wonderful time! Happy (belated) Mother's Day!

ratatouille's archives said...

Hi! C.G...
The photographs are wonderful! (The sky is very blue and the ocean too!) you and your family members, look relaxed too...I really hope that you, enjoyed your vacation.
[I also hope that you, had a very pleasant mother's day too!]
Thanks, for sharing!
DeeDee ;-D

Unknown said...

So happy for you that you could spend a wonderful vacation and beautiful sunsets too with family - you are right, you couldn't ask for anything more!

California Girl said...

Tanna: it's the colors and the water and the relaxed atmosphere.

DJan: I never become used to them. I wonder if I would if I lived there?

Barbara: hahaha, no! My husband took these at dawn. I did NOT accompany him.

Marguerite: Oh hi!!!! Yes, no Cajun dancing but plenty of good food.

DeeDee: Same to you and thank you.

Emille: Thank you and I'm so pleased you are visiting my blog. Keep coming!

Kate Hanley said...

Great photos, I'm going to be in Florida for a few days (vacation with my family) and I'm looking forward to those beaches!

Baino said...

OH wow, it's bitterly cold down here at the moment, 5 centigrade last night so your azure ocean is looking pretty damn wonderful. Seems like a lifetime since my last little holiday. It was great but .. not warm enough to dip the toes. Your boy has 'love' and 'mischief' in his eyes!

Captain Dumbass said...

Sigh. It looks like November here. A warm November, but still November.

Jeannette StG said...

About the iris painting, be my guest (pun intended:) ). I started paying more attention, because van Gogh has a few paintings of them -the combination of green and blue-purple is fascinating to me. On my painting, the background is indicating the movement of wind. I'll stop before I write the article! Let me know if I need to email you the pic:)

ratatouille's archives said...

Hi! C.G...
"Blogger" removed your comment and all I can say is that I like actress Joan Fontaine, and if I had to choose between her and her sister Olivia De Havilland,(as who would be my favorite actress...)Fontaine, would win hands down.

(I have only watched De Havilland, in 1 or 2 films...On the other hand, I liked her sister in Hitchcock's Rebecca, Suspicion, and her totally evil, femme-fatale, turn in a film noir entitled "Born To Be Bad."

C.G...
Thanks, for stopping by and you're very welcome!
DeeDee ;-D

Brasil said...

I’m not going to say what everyone else has already said, but I do want to comment on your knowledge of the topic. You’re truly well-informed. I can’t believe how much of this I just wasn’t aware of. Thank you for bringing more information to this topic for me. I’m truly grateful and really impressed.

California Girl said...

Kate: hope your vaca is fabulous. it's so great to relax by the sea with the sand between your toes and your family around you. it's the best.

Baino: my GF's son has been living in Tasmania, since Sep, on a vineyard. He finally departed when work was done. He's now in Adelaide, I think, to work on another vineyard. He loved Tasmania but it became bitterly cold this past month. I'd so love to see one or both of my sons go there.

Cap't (Oh my Captain): It's rainy & overcast today; feels colder than it is which is 60 degrees @ 8am.

DeeDee: You obviously read my comment about Ms. Fontaine. I just always found her roles to be mealmouth which is the attribute Scarlett bestows on Melanie. There are so many great actresses from the forties and thirties. I love Ingrid Bergman, Myrna Loy, Irene Dunne. Gotta stop or it'sll go on and on.

Nancy said...

Wow, now that is my kinda place! Could that sand get any whiter, and the sea any bluer? Your photos are just beautiful.

California Girl said...

Nancy: Awww, thanks. The top ones were taken by my husband. The restaurant snaps on down were taken by my sons' GF. The colors are incredible and not photo shopped at all. No need.

Shrinky said...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, looks like heaven.. and yes, I'm jealous!! Love the photography, you have a great eye for a frame.

California Girl said...

Steve: Thank you for the invitation.

Shrinky: Love the name. I've seen your profile photo on Nancy's blog I believe? Wish I could claim credit for the shots but, no. My husband and my son's GF.

Pat Tillett said...

Beatiful photos! I've not been there, but it sure looks inviting. Nice photos of you and your family also!