1. The obvious of course, of not being at work, not contending with nightshifts or Master's work and basically being together as a family and with our friends having leisurely paced, sun-filled days in the pool or at the beach. And it was really fun to watch our kiddlets playing together. Gabriel simply ADORES Fiona and whenever Gabriel was out of sight you could hear Fiona calling from the kitchen, "Where's Gabe?"
2. The moderately warm temperature in February--perfect for dipping into a heated pool, lounging on the beach for an hour or walking around town. Perfect for babies, absolutely. Maybe a light sweater in the evening but no need to be constantly in water, unless of course you want to be!
3. The swooping pelicans and elegant egrets diving into the water for fish, back-lit by the setting sun.
4. The heated pool and hot tub that allows us to swim from early morning until just before supper and is even warm enough for us adults to stay in the pool until midnight. While Fiona was fearless, Gabriel was more tentative. But as the week wore on, both kiddlets became even more comfortable-- whether it was kicking with a pool noodle or surfing the perimeter of the pool and going underwater.
5. Being completed surrounded by the ocean on all sides. You can never get lost no matter which way you go. The Gulf is only steps from our front door. I think we might be addicted to the ocean.
7. The whole island is coloured in soft beachy pastels--the houses, the shops, vehicles and even the bicycles.
8. Anna Maria is easy to get to and once you are there, everything is close. A short grocery store run is 10 minutes round trip, ice cream is a short run out in the evening. And at this time of year, there is always a place to park.
9. Anna Maria is an artists' island, so there are various festivals, workshops around and the island is a display case for all of this work. The ocean, the sun and the arts--perfect combination if you ask me!
10. How lush it is. When we stepped off the plane and into the warmth of the Florida breeze, it was not only the feeling of being immersed in a warm bath of Tampa air that struck me, but the tropical greenery that we fell in love with: a wide variety of palms of course along with other gangly trees covered in moss that hung like long beards from the tree's limbs.
Feeling a little chilly today and giving out a little sigh. Back to reality today. But, no doubt we'll be back. See you again some day, Anna Maria!
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