About an hour south of Tampa, just north of Sarasota, lies a barrier island with a seven-mile strip of beautiful white-sand beaches, calm turquoise water, colorful architecture that bring the visitor back to Florida’s seventies.
Anna Maria Island is the quiet but beautiful island in Manatee County. I had never heard of the island much less Bradenton, the mainland city next to the barrier island, but that is where I was swept off to back in October for a long weekend.
I was pleasantly surprised as I sat on the beach with my toes running through the soft, white sand and from time to time waded into the perfectly calm, crystal clear waters. At other times I strolled along the beach collecting various shells. My view around the beach was not obstructed by crowds of tourists or obstructive buildings and hotels.
Anna Maria Island is the quiet but beautiful island in Manatee County. I had never heard of the island much less Bradenton, the mainland city next to the barrier island, but that is where I was swept off to back in October for a long weekend.
I was pleasantly surprised as I sat on the beach with my toes running through the soft, white sand and from time to time waded into the perfectly calm, crystal clear waters. At other times I strolled along the beach collecting various shells. My view around the beach was not obstructed by crowds of tourists or obstructive buildings and hotels.
We headed to the popular Sandbar Restaurant on the north end of the island where we dined right on the beach and watched the sunset while having a good meal of grilled grouper, coconut shrimp, and tropical drinks.
In the mornings we took bike rides along the coconut tree lined streets and kayaked in the Manatee River searching for manatees, dolphins, and cranes.
At lunch time we headed back to the beach, grabbed a table at the casual café serving fried coconut shrimp, grouper sandwiches, and calamari with large sides of fries. Live music played where people sat and lingered enjoying the slight breeze from the water.
With the sun on my face and my toes in the sand, I was finally able to relax and just enjoy a moment of peace.
In the mornings we took bike rides along the coconut tree lined streets and kayaked in the Manatee River searching for manatees, dolphins, and cranes.
At lunch time we headed back to the beach, grabbed a table at the casual café serving fried coconut shrimp, grouper sandwiches, and calamari with large sides of fries. Live music played where people sat and lingered enjoying the slight breeze from the water.
With the sun on my face and my toes in the sand, I was finally able to relax and just enjoy a moment of peace.