Sunshine and warm Gulf breezes: a winter retreat
by Rhonda Dedyne
Two peninsulas, same season – huge difference.
A week ago, we were basking in sunshine and enjoying warm temperatures on Lido Key near Sarasota in “The Sunshine State.”
Today ice covers the deck and driveway here on Higham Street in snowy St. Johns.
The change in weather was obviously expected – we had no anticipation whatsoever of arriving home to 80 degrees and Gulf breezes – and increases our thankfulness for the short get-away.
It was a week of watching the waves roll in on Lido Beach while reading books and relaxing; walking the beach, searching for shells; and viewing sunsets, each one different and unique although seemingly similar – God’s artistry made visible to human eyes.
Wayne – and every other guy on Lido last week – was entertained by a major beach replacement project that began the day after our arrival. Big machinery moving tons of sand that was blasted onto shore from barges via pipelines drew lots of spectators. Technically termed as “sand renourishment,” the initiative will restore sand lost as a result of a tropical storm in 2012 that had a significant impact on nearly two miles of beachfront. When completed in March, almost 200,000 cubic yards of sand piped in from New Pass shoal will add 100 feet of beach back along Lido’s shoreline.
It was an interesting sight to see, I must admit. The gulls and shorebirds certainly enjoyed feasting on miniature sea creatures that the new sand delivered to their feeding area.
Equally fun photo opportunities were available in a walk over the mile-long bridge spanning Sarasota Bay that links the mainland to Lido Key, and also to Bird, St. Armands and Longboat keys. The skyline of downtown Sarasota is striking from the apex of the bridge, while the opposite view of Lido and its sister keys provides a peek of blue, Gulf waters in the distance beyond. Further to the south, Siesta and Casey keys come into view, also.
Blue water and skies; amber sunshine; multi-colored sunsets.
Life is good.