South Florida travel

[Trinity]

I had no idea that sand dollars were living creatures.

I'd never heard of them until mentioned here, but it looked like it was a creature. Aparently they are sea urchins.

Right - I am on my way now! Adventure awaits!

 

[KLS52]

Have a great time!

 

[PTree15]

Hope you have a great vacation, Trinity!

 

[Swamp-Dweller]

Hope you enjoyed your trip! Sorry I missed this, I live in Naples (aka The Paradise Coast), a few hours South of Tampa.

 

[Trinity]

Hi Swamp-Dweller (awesome and perfect name, that I now get for FL resident ha ha),
Just returned (bit woozy from jet lag still) and had a wonderful time for the most part.
After I finished my work there up near Tampa I headed off for Anna Maria island and ended up staying there for 6 days in a vacation rental. It was perfect a stones throw from the most amazing beach!
I love doing my own food prep anyway, so it worked out perfectly to get a self-catering place, whilst I enjoyed buying in different vegan fresh foods along the way.
I found a great little raw vegan restaurant in Palm Harbor called 'Rawkstar' - they served the BEST EVER desserts, with divine ice cream and cheesecakes.

 

[Amy SF]

Trinity, I'm glad you had a great time. It sounds like a great place for a vacation. I should think about that for myself.

 

[Chryssie]

So glad you had a good time in Florida! Next time come to the East Coast!

 

[ledboots]

Hi Swamp-Dweller (awesome and perfect name, that I now get for FL resident ha ha),
Just returned (bit woozy from jet lag still) and had a wonderful time for the most part.
After I finished my work there up near Tampa I headed off for Anna Maria island and ended up staying there for 6 days in a vacation rental. It was perfect a stones throw from the most amazing beach!
I love doing my own food prep anyway, so it worked out perfectly to get a self-catering place, whilst I enjoyed buying in different vegan fresh foods along the way.
I found a great little raw vegan restaurant in Palm Harbor called 'Rawkstar' - they served the BEST EVER desserts, with divine ice cream and cheesecakes.

I love Anna Maria, partly because there are so many little rentals *with kitchens*! And they are so kitschy with their decor lol. Did you see any dolphins? They are often there leaping around.

 

[Trinity]

Did you see any dolphins? They are often there leaping around.

Oh my! I did see a couple pop up one morning at the beach, one early morning at sunrise! A little ways out.
I also went to a nature preserve and saw horseshoe crabs mating!!! Kept hearing clack-clack noises and thought a gator was spying on my or something then I looked right down by my feet and horseshoe crabs! I felt so honoured!

 

[Trinity]

I loved connecting with all the wildlife there... really wish I could have seen more dolphins or even a manatee.
So many gorgeous birds all over the place... my favourite part.

Loads of characterful egrets!

White heron...

And white feathered ocean birds just everywhere...

 

[Trinity]

Trinity, I'm glad you had a great time. It sounds like a great place for a vacation. I should think about that for myself.

Yes indeed - so gorgeous!

 

[MadamSarcastra]

Hey, Florida folks! @Chryssie & @Jeremy ... and @SuicideBlonde if you're around....

Whereabouts are you guys in relation to Venice?? My parents will be there for a week next month for AACT-Fest.... I thought maybe I could get some veggie-friendly recommendations from ya & pass them on. I don't know how much spare time they'll have, but what the hell. LOL

 

[Chryssie]

We were actually in Venice for a wedding in March. We didn't really have time to explore much though. We went to breweries and a pizza place! We do not live near there.