anna maria island
Feb 7th, 2012, 01:49 PM
#22
Cool! All this time, and I had NO idea! I take it you got to AMI during play time as I saw you were friends of the SandBar too. Sounds like a pretty sweet job for sure, and here during prime time too.
Sorry Santamonica..it was a strange discovery of paths that came close to crossing...back to Anna Maria again.
Sorry Santamonica..it was a strange discovery of paths that came close to crossing...back to Anna Maria again.
Feb 7th, 2012, 02:09 PM
#23
I just read your question about the tree in your yard, santamonica, and looked back at your link at the pictures of the house. In one of the exterior shots (it's a really cute house by the way!) there is a tree in red bloom. Is this the tree you mean and is it blooming now? Jacaranda bloom purple and later in the spring, but the Royal Poinciana blooms red and is blooming currently in St Pete. They are an unbelievable shade of deep red, but the tree otherwise is similar, especially in size, to Jacaranda. Orchid trees are blooming now too, but I've never seen one that big!
Feb 7th, 2012, 07:35 PM
#24
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ok, I'm following directions as best I can but honestly there is so much side chatter going on it's very difficult.
First of all, the birds. They fly single file at dusk just above the water. They looked black but maybe they weren't. I'm just going to ask a real person (gasp) tomorrow who looks like a birder (look for the binoculars) and find out if they are skimmers, oyster catchers, or royal terns (lots of them during the day).
I may also ask a woodsman (you can tell by the axe) if it's a jacaranda. Light smooth bark, can be a big tree, twisty trunk and branches, no purple flowers presently. I think it is because it's not a palm, oak, spruce, pine or any of the other street names.
We got to the Ringling Museum too late to do anything but walk around the mansion and go to the gift shop. DW got me a gift for valentine's day. Then we drove to Colombia although we'd just have to drive right back to where we were already because that's where the asolo rep theatre was (god of carnage, you'll remember if you've been paying attention and not talking amongst yourselves). Colombia and the sangria were fun, but from the website Indigenous looked very cool. God of Carnage was good but as you may know this is trip reporting, not theater reviewing (what is it with theatre vs theater anyway?).
Tomorrow DW has arranged for me to get a massage. I don't know why she's being so nice. Maybe it's her way of saying thanks to you fodorites for your suggestions.
Good luck Lindain! Win or lose you'll like anna maria.
First of all, the birds. They fly single file at dusk just above the water. They looked black but maybe they weren't. I'm just going to ask a real person (gasp) tomorrow who looks like a birder (look for the binoculars) and find out if they are skimmers, oyster catchers, or royal terns (lots of them during the day).
I may also ask a woodsman (you can tell by the axe) if it's a jacaranda. Light smooth bark, can be a big tree, twisty trunk and branches, no purple flowers presently. I think it is because it's not a palm, oak, spruce, pine or any of the other street names.
We got to the Ringling Museum too late to do anything but walk around the mansion and go to the gift shop. DW got me a gift for valentine's day. Then we drove to Colombia although we'd just have to drive right back to where we were already because that's where the asolo rep theatre was (god of carnage, you'll remember if you've been paying attention and not talking amongst yourselves). Colombia and the sangria were fun, but from the website Indigenous looked very cool. God of Carnage was good but as you may know this is trip reporting, not theater reviewing (what is it with theatre vs theater anyway?).
Tomorrow DW has arranged for me to get a massage. I don't know why she's being so nice. Maybe it's her way of saying thanks to you fodorites for your suggestions.
Good luck Lindain! Win or lose you'll like anna maria.
Feb 8th, 2012, 08:45 AM
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I am so enjoying your trip report, santamonica, as we use to go to Long Boat Key quite a bit as my husband had family members there. We always had such wonderful and good food whether it was at restaurants or at their house. For some reason we never ate at the Columbia Restaurant but we did several times at the one in Tampa as they were at McDill AFB for some years before retirement and building a house on Long Boat Key. Continue to enjoy, I am envying you but in a good way of course!
Feb 8th, 2012, 09:03 AM
#28
Skimmers aren't reclusive here, in fact they are usually seen in groups. See these pictures for identification. http://www.fortheloveofflorida.com/2...-skimmers.html. Perhaps there is another kind of skimmer that is reclusive? They are fun to watch, as like the pelicans you wonder how they can judge the wave action so precisely and not get tripped up.
Feb 8th, 2012, 09:50 AM
#29
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This morning I got my massage at the spa place on the second floor next to the old IGA. Karen. It was very nice. Complete with hot cloths and scrubbing cloths and some attention to the face.
I don't get many massages. She said take off everything and lie face down on the table and she didn't say anything about a top sheet. She recognized her error as soon as she opened the door. Oh well, I'm sure she'll get over the shock in time. At least I was face down. Tonight we're going to restorative yoga. Maybe that will restore the stress that the massage took away. We'll see.
I have changed my profile picture to the tree in our backyard which I think is a jacaranda. Don't tell me it's a spruce. I'll try and take a picture of the birds tonight. You all have been very agreeable with this whole tree bird thing.
God of Carnage, my son explains, is what is under the surface, under our politeness and civility, our true selfish beastly selves. It's also pretty funny and the front several rows, where we happened to be, can be pretty involved in the play.
Now we're going to the beach so I can amortize the umbrella ($12) and beach chair ($14) we bought at a grocery store in Bradenton. 80 degrees and sunny.
I don't get many massages. She said take off everything and lie face down on the table and she didn't say anything about a top sheet. She recognized her error as soon as she opened the door. Oh well, I'm sure she'll get over the shock in time. At least I was face down. Tonight we're going to restorative yoga. Maybe that will restore the stress that the massage took away. We'll see.
I have changed my profile picture to the tree in our backyard which I think is a jacaranda. Don't tell me it's a spruce. I'll try and take a picture of the birds tonight. You all have been very agreeable with this whole tree bird thing.
God of Carnage, my son explains, is what is under the surface, under our politeness and civility, our true selfish beastly selves. It's also pretty funny and the front several rows, where we happened to be, can be pretty involved in the play.
Now we're going to the beach so I can amortize the umbrella ($12) and beach chair ($14) we bought at a grocery store in Bradenton. 80 degrees and sunny.
Feb 8th, 2012, 01:24 PM
#30
It's hard to tell Santamonica, still. Jacaranda and Poiciana have almost identical leaves, sort of feathery almost fern like, they grow to similar sizes but one blooms red and one purple. Neither one is very remarkable until it blooms, and then its "WOW"! Is this the same tree that shows up in one of the exterior photos of your house in the link you gave us? There was a red blooming tree of the correct height in that picture, which is why I guessed Poinciana. But if it's not the same tree you are asking about, all bets are off. You'll just have to stay until it blooms!
Here's a good picture of a Poinciana in bloom. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/...3574aa43_o.jpg
Here's a good picture of a Poinciana in bloom. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/...3574aa43_o.jpg
Feb 8th, 2012, 03:25 PM
#31
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Agree with OO that it is probably a Poinciana and not a Jacaranda. My parents had a huge Jacaranda in the back yard. The leaves look similar, but the branches are different. Their tree had straight branches without all the kinks. It was beautiful when it bloomed, but was a headache the rest of the time. It constantly dropped leaves and branches into the yard and pool, and the roots popped up everywhere. They finally had it cut down after a storm shredded most of it.
Feb 9th, 2012, 03:26 AM
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santa, sounds like you are having a nice restful time. Scaring the message person can be fun...
My recollection was that the art at Ringling museum was pretty good.
ps-LI, my DH's family went to LB Key when DH was in elementary school. Expect it has changed a bit.
My recollection was that the art at Ringling museum was pretty good.
ps-LI, my DH's family went to LB Key when DH was in elementary school. Expect it has changed a bit.
Feb 9th, 2012, 04:30 AM
#33
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Hi TDudette, a lot of the "older" houses were torn down and new mansions built, mostly by Europeans as I understand it. I loved our family's house, a good size sprawling one story home with a beautiful patio and pool and the Florida cage. Their grounds were wonderful. All kinds of birds landed on their lawn and our BIL would feed them by hand. Their property overlooked the Intercoastal Waterway. They had a boat docked on the canal that ran along one size of their property so boat trips were always fun. Good memories!
Feb 9th, 2012, 05:25 AM
#34
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Poinciana it is then. Limbs definitely kinky. And I went outside and confirmed that the tree is the one with red flowers in the rental pictures. DS#2 and I shared a beer at the beach at sunset, eschewing the restorative yoga. Today I've planned a visit to the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez, lunch at Cortez Bait and Seafood, a revisit to the Ringling Museum while it's open, a return to a jazz festival at the Sandbar from 3 to 5 pm, try to take a picture of the mystery birds at sunset, then a Big Band Dance sponsored by the Kiwanis Club at the ami community center from 8 to 11 pm. DW thinks this may be a little much. Silly woman.
Maybe we'll have time to buy a nice house over looking the intercoastal waterway. That sounds very nice.
Maybe we'll have time to buy a nice house over looking the intercoastal waterway. That sounds very nice.
Feb 9th, 2012, 07:23 PM
#36
Sounds like you're keeping busy and enjoying AMI! Don't forget to stop in for ice cream at Two Scoops -- in the little plaza next to the Waterfront Restaurant, and across from the Anna Maria City Pier! They have the absolute BEST ice cream on the island!!
Feb 10th, 2012, 06:56 AM
#38
I've never seen Two Scoops disorganized, just very, very busy.
Bridge Street has a nice little French restaurant, Le Creperie. We ride our bikes there for breakfast fairly often. From up where you are, it would be about a 5.5 mile ride (don't know how much you bike).
Bridge Street has a nice little French restaurant, Le Creperie. We ride our bikes there for breakfast fairly often. From up where you are, it would be about a 5.5 mile ride (don't know how much you bike).
Feb 10th, 2012, 08:26 AM
#39
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Today is our last day. I'm sure there will be some sort of life after this but it may not be as sweet.
Yesterday we did almost everything on The Plan except Ringling Museum, for which we substituted beach time, since the sun was shining. First a bike ride, then the Village Cafe, in Anna Maria City, across the street from our rental. Great for coffee and they have the NYT free for patrons.
Then the little AMI museum with DW on Pine, housed in the former ice house, which used to be on the city pier. AMI has had it's history of boom and bust, with the boom busted by the depression. The long city pier serviced passenger and freight steamships. I think another boom was in the 1960's when people had things called generous pensions and were able to retire in the sun in little two bedroom stucco houses and put little statues in the front yard.
Then wake DS#2 and head to the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez, in an old elementary school. One of the docents attended school there, joined the navy, retired as a commander. Knows boats. I Bought $5 ticket to win a sailboat. Winning would present some interesting issues.
Then lunch at The Kitchen in Cortez. OMG good. MahiMahi, or dolphin, but not Flipper. Then to the funky store at the old IGA in anna maria, where DS#2 bought a book. Then DW and I went to the jazz show at the Sandbar, featuring Coco Rey, who plays sax. Is the longer sax the tenor sax, and the shorter one alto sax? Anyway, that was fun. More beach time, sunset pictures, no mystery birds.
Then, tuna from Cortez grilled at home. Then, finally, the Big Band Dance at the community center, complete with a really big band and lots of people who were older than we are, something we don't see that often. We can jitterbug, can't foxtrot. Wife can't waltz, but we'll work on that. I explained it's a backwards baseball diamond, but it might be more like a soccer field for the woman, I'm just not sure.
This morning I took beginning yoga with DW. I can now do a down dog. And breathe. It's not raining, so we'll probably spend most of the day on the beach. Maybe Two Scoops.
Tomorrow we drop DS#2 off in Tampa airport for noon flight, then have about 6 hours till our plane leaves. We're thinking of going to Lettuce Park. Thanks for all your suggestions, and for any suggestions you may have for our time in Tampa, although it's hard to believe anybody could still be reading this after all that work you did on the tree identification.
Poinciana is my new mantra.
Yesterday we did almost everything on The Plan except Ringling Museum, for which we substituted beach time, since the sun was shining. First a bike ride, then the Village Cafe, in Anna Maria City, across the street from our rental. Great for coffee and they have the NYT free for patrons.
Then the little AMI museum with DW on Pine, housed in the former ice house, which used to be on the city pier. AMI has had it's history of boom and bust, with the boom busted by the depression. The long city pier serviced passenger and freight steamships. I think another boom was in the 1960's when people had things called generous pensions and were able to retire in the sun in little two bedroom stucco houses and put little statues in the front yard.
Then wake DS#2 and head to the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez, in an old elementary school. One of the docents attended school there, joined the navy, retired as a commander. Knows boats. I Bought $5 ticket to win a sailboat. Winning would present some interesting issues.
Then lunch at The Kitchen in Cortez. OMG good. MahiMahi, or dolphin, but not Flipper. Then to the funky store at the old IGA in anna maria, where DS#2 bought a book. Then DW and I went to the jazz show at the Sandbar, featuring Coco Rey, who plays sax. Is the longer sax the tenor sax, and the shorter one alto sax? Anyway, that was fun. More beach time, sunset pictures, no mystery birds.
Then, tuna from Cortez grilled at home. Then, finally, the Big Band Dance at the community center, complete with a really big band and lots of people who were older than we are, something we don't see that often. We can jitterbug, can't foxtrot. Wife can't waltz, but we'll work on that. I explained it's a backwards baseball diamond, but it might be more like a soccer field for the woman, I'm just not sure.
This morning I took beginning yoga with DW. I can now do a down dog. And breathe. It's not raining, so we'll probably spend most of the day on the beach. Maybe Two Scoops.
Tomorrow we drop DS#2 off in Tampa airport for noon flight, then have about 6 hours till our plane leaves. We're thinking of going to Lettuce Park. Thanks for all your suggestions, and for any suggestions you may have for our time in Tampa, although it's hard to believe anybody could still be reading this after all that work you did on the tree identification.
Poinciana is my new mantra.
Feb 10th, 2012, 10:57 AM
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Santamonica, it sounds like you really "get" AMI. I am so glad you've had fun. We will be there in a week and I am even more psyched.
Does anyone know anything about jazz at Euphemia Haye ? or have another recommendation for jazz in Sarasota?
Does anyone know anything about jazz at Euphemia Haye ? or have another recommendation for jazz in Sarasota?
