Biking on Boca Grande

 

We have an annual tradition to bike on Boca Grande with a group of friends and today was the day.  It was a reschedule from a few weeks ago when we cancelled due to high winds, which would be no fun for biking.  The weather cooperated beautifully this time and it was sunny and a perfect high 70’s temperature day on the island.

Boca Grande is about 40 minutes south and is a village on Gasparilla Island.  There are bike paths and not a lot of automobile traffic.  Most residents use golf carts to get around.  The highlight is biking to the south end of the island with the gulf on your right side view the whole way.  There is a restaurant right on the beach, newly rebuilt from hurricane damage and we enjoyed the water view over a long lunch.

We headed back to the village, stopping at an old fashioned marina, the beautiful Gasparilla Inn and finally a stop at a old Florida style village bar that has been open on the island for 78 years.  It was really nice to see the continued recovery of this lovely place after being hit by several hurricanes lately.  Blue sky, blue water, white sand, gulf breezes and a day with friends.  Just another day in paradise for us.

The Best Visit

 

Family came to visit and it was everything and more.  Megan, Adam and Audrey stayed for a week and it was a last minute surprise that Kevin and Melissa managed to come for three days and overlap.  So, we were all together, which is always special.

The weather was just about perfect too.  Not quite perfect for swimming, but we turned up the pool heater and it was comfortable.  Audrey loved the pool and the beach which made it so fun. We saw flamingos at Sarasota Jungle Gardens one morning. We read lots of books, watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, blew bubbles and just spent a lot of time outside enjoying warm weather.  Their Michigan winter has been pretty frigid, so they all loved the sunshine.

I cooked a lot, but we also had some fun meals out and of course ice cream too.  Nana and PopPop made wonderful memories with so much one on one time.  When you move to Florida, live by the beach and build a pool, these are the memories you dream of making with your family.  Many more memories to come too.

February in Photos

 

Busy, busy February so far.  My to do list has been long as I prepare for a season of company from up north. We don’t do spring cleaning in Florida, but we do lots of those type jobs in the winter, so we can have fun in the spring.  Today, I put out 40 bags of fresh mulch and am happy to have that off my list.

There have been several fun things too including an MSU basketball watch party, lunch, brunch and dinner with friends and full moon yoga on the beach, including a pretty sunset before moon rise. I am quite busy too with my volunteer group; both working as a site leader on Make a Difference Day in Venice and writing the weekly newsletter for the group.  

I am very excited that our first round of company from snowy Michigan will be my daughters, son in laws and of course Audrey.  The weather looks to be beautiful so getting her pool and beach time is a priority.  Her Nana and PopPop are ready to show off Florida to her.