March Fun with Family in Florida

A lovely extended March Break is now behind us, and we were lucky to share a perfect mix of adventures and relaxation. After traveling to Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International Airport fully bundled in winter coats on the afternoon of March 7, we spent less than three hours in a plane and were breathing in the warmth of a Florida evening. Ahhh, the magic of human flight - yes, airplanes still absolutely amaze me, no matter how much reading I do about aerodynamics, thrust, lift and air pressure. My girls and I were fortunate enough to get to spend a week with my parents in Bradenton, Florida, where they've been wintering for the past two-and-a-half months. They've joined the flock of migratory snow birds this year, fully enjoying the change of climate and all of the perks that come with it. As did we for the week we spent with them! And while we happily anticipated the Florida sunshine, we were most excited about seeing my parents/Gramma and Grampa, whom we've missed during these past months.

Happy to have arrived at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

Our days down South were relaxed, to say the least. Even the preparation for this trip required the least amount of effort of any other travels I've embarked upon this year. For starters, heading to a relatively predictable warm climate made for easier prep. Our packing was also made stress-free knowing that we would be living in my parents' fully stocked home, complete with laundry facilities, and that we would also have stores nearby in case we forgot something. One suitcase was all it took, and we were off, more swimsuits in tow than anything else.

The whole trip felt as relaxed as snuggling up with a great book, which of course we also spent 
much time doing.

Along with my skin, my heart was warmed immediately as I watched my girls fling themselves into the arms of my parents' waiting embraces. Considering that we are lucky enough to see them very regularly when they are back at home, this winter without them living only a few short minutes away has definitely taken an adjustment. We were more than ready for a week of sun-filled adventures with them.

Much of our time in Bradenton was spent relaxing at the lovely home my parents have rented. We played games together, swam in the pool and soaked in the hot tub, went for neighbourhood walks, enjoyed movie evenings, and of course chilled out with books. The girls learned how to play chess, and E also took up knitting, a skill she's been wanting to learn from Gramma for some time. Enjoying this kind of schedule, at times our vacation had an element of being away at a cottage, albeit with a tropical slant. With my Mom cooking some of our very favourite dishes - chicken corn chowder for the girls, Kaesespaetzle for me - and my Dad pointing out and naming all of the birds, our trip was also lent a strong feeling of coming home.

I was ever so grateful to greet each morning by doing yoga poolside, listening to the birds welcoming the new day as they flocked in and around the lake backing onto the property. In addition to the myriad of birdlife in the area, including herons, egrets, ibis, cormorants, sandhill cranes, pelicans and roseate spoonbills, this lake was also home to gators, turtles and otters, which we were excited to spot now and then.

Majestic Great Blue Heron

Just keeping an eye on Great Blue.

We were all so excited to see this otter, and were ecstatic when two more were spotted
running back into the forest.

In and amongst these relaxing hours were peppered daily outings. Florida's Gulf Coast boasts beautiful beaches, and we visited a few, including Siesta Key Beach (also called Siesta Beach), regularly voted by a variety of sources as one of the top ten beaches in North America. Miles upon miles of powdery white sand met us, soft and silky under our bare feet, and countless colourful umbrellas dotted the shoreline where fellow beachgoers sought shade. E happily splashed in the water as we meandered our way along the shore, so grateful for this perfect beach day we'd been granted. We also visited Coquina Beach, saw Bradenton and Cortez Beaches during our trip, and enjoyed the 1.5 mile park known as the Riverwalk that spans downtown Bradenton, 

Miles of powdery white sand at Siesta Key Beach.

'Parabolic Dishes', one of numerous outdoor art features along Bradenton's Riverwalk.

Family Fun Zone overlooking the Manatee River.

Another favourite destination was the Manatee Viewing Centre in Apollo Beach, a wonderful (and free!) attraction featuring an education centre, butterfly garden, a mangrove swamp, stingray touch tank, and shallow waters where we were able to view a variety of marine life forms, including manatees, tarpin, and entertaining jumping fish. The canal running along this centre has been designated a manatee sanctuary. It provides these wonderfully gentle and endangered animals with a warm-water refuge during times when the temperatures of the surrounding bodies of water dip too low for the temperature-sensitive creatures. We saw a great many manatee moving with slow ease in the estuary, H noting that they looked rather like floating potatoes, which indeed they do. Without a doubt the girls' favourite spot was Cowshead Cove, the stingray touch pool. The gracefully gliding rays truly seemed to enjoy our gentle touch, regularly approaching us and turning back for repeated glide-by visits! Especially nice about this centre is that, other than the stingrays, all of the creatures were in their natural environments, free to come and go as they pleased. I highly recommend a visit to this excellent centre if you are ever in the Tampa area of Florida - H and E enjoyed it so much that we went twice!

Sting ray popping up to say Hello!

Manatee!

Florida in the spring time also represents baseball's preseason training time, and my Dad organized an afternoon outing for us all to go see a game featuring the Baltimore Orioles, who train in Sarasota, and the Pittsburgh Pirates, whose preseason training home is Bradenton. As both are considered preseason "local" teams, the stadium was nearly full and the vibe in the air was tinged with excitement. As Murphy's Law would have it, we went on the hottest day of our trip, and so a jump into the pool - in our clothes! - helped us to cool down afterwards, as of course did some ice cream.

Practically personalized ice cream!

The best part of our time away really boiled down to being together with family. As M decided to forego taking this time off from work and stayed at home, we did miss him a great deal (and Tricksie cat, too!), which made returning home easier. And knowing that my parents will be returning home in just a few weeks made our goodbyes less sorrowful, too. Having stayed at their Florida home and explored the surrounding areas, I so appreciate now being able to envision where they are. When we catch up through texts and phone calls, I can truly picture what they've been up to, what the creatures they tell me about look like, and where their adventures have taken them. 

Spring has now officially sprung and new adventures await us all. May yours be positively memorable, heartwarming and joy-filled. Happy Spring!

My wonders: Have you ever visited Florida's Gulf Coast, and if so, what were some of your trip's highlights? What is one of your favourite beaches to visit, and why? If you live in a location that boasts cold winters, can you imagine being a "snow bird", migrating South for the winter months? Or do you enjoy all that nature's four seasons have to offer?