Florida is a big state

Florida is a big state, especially compared to where we used to live – Delaware. Florida is about 28 times bigger than Delaware. And, the population of Delaware is ~897,934 people (17.9 million more people live in Florida). That’s a big difference!

Florida, Part 1

When we were snowbirds, we drove to the Keys but seldom stopped for the night once we crossed the Florida State Line. But it was still an 8-hour drive to the Keys! Now that we are full-time Florida residents, we’re exploring in our Airstream. So far, we visited Bradenton/St. Petersburg for Christmas, Jupiter and Vero Beach for two family weddings in March and April, and Disney World in Orlando.

In Florida, Part 1, I’ll highlight our Christmas visit to the Bradenton/St. Petersburg area.

St. Petersburg

I fell in love with St. Petersburg. It feels like a big small town. If I lived there, I would live right in town so I could walk to restaurants, and shops, with access to the Riverwalk and all the art galleries and museums in the area. We stayed in the Bradenton/Hunsader Farms KOA Campground that was inland from Bradenton. It was a little rustic, but we didn’t spend much time there.

We visited the Dali Museum one day, and the Ringley Museum of Art another. In between, we toured the area and went to Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and Sarasota. What a great area. Wherever we stopped for lunch or dinner, the food was excellent. Here are a few of the highlights –

Anna Maria Island –

Ginny & Jane E’s Cafe is a delightful cafe with a cute eclectic shop attached. We had lunch and bought some items to outfit our Airstream. Then we had dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant, right across from the City Pier.

Just below Anna Maria Island is Longboat Key, where we stumbled across the Mar Vista Dockside, and I’m so glad we did. Outdoor dining on the water and an excellent menu. Anytime Bill can have Paella, he’s a happy camper, and I had the scallops, a personal favorite.

St. Petersburg and Sarasota

We spent the afternoon in St. Petersburg at an Arts/Craft Show on the Pier, then we had dinner at the BellaBrava on Beach Drive. Italian food is always a good choice and this time was no exception. We loved everything about the restaurant and the area.

Lakewood Ranch has a Sarasota address, so at first, I thought Lakewood Ranch was a community. It may have started that way, but it is now a very large town with many different communities. We met our friends Joe and Dora for dinner at a cute little restaurant tucked away in a small strip center – the Lucky Pelican Bistro.

I’ll take you to Jupiter and Vero Beach in my next post. Then, Disney World deserves a post all to itself. Have Airstream will travel!