I'm back, a little rusty after my Christmas-driven week-plus off from writing and blogging.
My plan through the end of the year is still to finish Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Challenge, starting where I left off, a little later and with posts more abbreviated than I planned on December 1.
December 19 Car ride. What did you see? How did it smell? Did you eat anything as you drove there? Who were you with?
For Labor Day weekend, and Michael's birthday, we headed across Florida from east coast to west, and then north to Anna Maria Island, near Sarasota.
The stretch of I-75 from west of Ft. Lauderdale to Naples is aptly known as Alligator Alley, and my favorite part of the trip. The Alley cuts through the Everglades, and you almost always see a few alligators sunning on the banks of the canals on either side of the road. You pass Seminole reservations, airboat tour sites, and the occasional park rest stop but the river of grass stretches as far as you can see.
The marsh has its own smell, earthy and dank, not unpleasant but rich and ancient.
Once through the glades I-75 turns north. We left Miami after breakfast and arrived at Longboat Key, just south of Anna Maria, in time for lunch at the MarVista Restaurant, an old Florida restaurant with a Gulf view.
Since their website is www.groupersandwich.com, I ordered a grouper sandwich, which was all that it should be, mild white fish in a light batter on a toasted bun, served of course with fries and cole slaw. Gigantic plastic cups of iced tea and a slice of Key Lime pie finished the meal.
And then we were ready to make the short drive to quiet, beautiful Anna Maria Island.