Longboat Key to Orlando, Florida -12/27/2014

DECEMBER 27, 2014 (Saturday)

Moving day. Scott, from the front desk, had called yesterday to ask what time we would be checking out. We’ve never been asked before. We said it would be close to the 10:00 AM checkout time. We did manage to get out of our Longboat Key home around 9:30 AM. We left and went to the shopping center next to the Little Gull Cottages (The Blue Dolphin Cafe) to have breakfast. Michael got a Western omelette and I got a California omelette. He got potatoes and I got a side of fruit. Excellent food and huge portions. We ended up taking half of each of ours with us for a later meal.

Edie's California omelette. — Edie’s California omelette.

We left and went to a park we had briefly enjoyed last night, the Joan Durante Park. Last night there had been a beautiful white and bright pink flamingo in one of the water features at the park. Today – nothing. Bummer because the camera battery had died last night and I didn’t get a picture of it. I was so hoping it would show up but it didn’t. We ended up walking around for quite awhile on the bridges and paths. Very nice and peaceful. Weird and wonderful trees, spiders, and plant life.

The scene of the missing Flamingo from last night. — The scene of the missing flamingo from last night.

A Pavlovian for meetings. — A nice covered area in the park.

We started out walking and soon found this beauty.

The park is a combination of some landscaping and much that is natural.

Pelicans drift by as we look over the water.

The tide comes and goes and a strange marsh like vegetation flourishes.

We joked about tripping on the walkway and falling into the marsh.

It looked so icky, we thought these trees were standing on their tippy toes.

After spending time in the park, we drove to St. Armand’s Key, about ten miles from Longboat Key. We walked around St. Armand’s Circle. I did a lot of window shopping and looking (although I did buy one blouse), and Michael took pictures of the beautiful statues and patiently waited for me (yea, right). Anyway, it’s a quaint little town that is totally dog friendly and even puts water down for the dogs at the restaurants. Very much like Carmel. Loved it.

A map and there are hundreds of shops and restaurants. — A map of the area; there are hundreds of shops and restaurants.

I loved the relief map of the great lakes.

I'll never think of a circus the same again. — I’ll never think of a circus the same again.

We left St. Armands around noon and headed to Orlando. The drive today was about 150 miles and took a little over two hours. We meandered through Sarasota and then went on the different highways/freeways. We got into stop and go traffic again once we neared Orlando.

Update from friends. This is the new Florida Polytechnic University. It is in it’s first semester and Dodge used it as a background for some Ram Truck commercials. Thanks Robin, good to know.

Lots of stop and go traffic on the freeway.

We got to the reception center at the Sheraton Vistana Resort. Quite the line but it went fast. We were offered a breakfast and $50.00 to attend a presentation on Monday. We can’t seem to say no and we do enjoy hearing about the different offerings. We also got some really cool light sabers that flash and shine brightly. Michael and I will play with them tonight. Too fun.

We got to our room (a little ways from the reception center – huge resort) and it’s BEAUTIFUL! One of our nicest ever and it has a washer and dryer. Huge – I think over 1,000 square feet. Lovely granite counters, huge therapy tub in the master bath, two full beds in the second room – just lovely. The balcony overlooks a gorgeous lake with water features. Very private and nice. Gonna be a great week.

Both sliders are very secure with double locks.

We’ve eaten the second part of our omelettes but we’ll probably have some corn and a potato for dinner. That has been our day. Hope yours was great!