After two nights at the Hyatt Place in Lakeland, Florida, I was driving to our next hotel, the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota and I opted to take the scenic route over the I-275 South, Sunshine Skyway (tall and long bridge) Bradenton.
It is said that it is one of the world's longest cable stayed, concrete bridges.
With its 6.7 km length or 4.14 miles it goes up 131 m or 430 feet and one of the most spectacular bridges in the world!
Over the years, they now have added a suicide fence on both sides...
Good short video: Ride in to the sky!!! Sunshine Skyway Bridge - Tampa Bay (Florida)
Below post you can view my 1.5 min. Relive capture, but bear in mind that it was quite difficult to capture any 'good' images with one hand while driving at a speed of over 50 miles. My husband Pieter no longer can do this for me, as his eye sight is not well enough and especially not at high speed.
Our destination, the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota...
Guess we were having the BEST weather we ever have had over 38 years, driving down to Florida!
Blue skies and no rain.
View from our room #931 at the Hyatt Regency... in the back you see the beautiful Ritz Carlton Sarasota.
Not really that warm on the day of arrival, after a cold spell that reached far South.
But clear and sunny and for all three coming days that we would be here!
18℃ is 64℉ for those that would not know...
24℃ is 75℉
27℃ is 80℉
You also see that the nights are warming up again!
Decided to ride the elevator down from our 9th floor, and go for a walk, while my Pieter was taking his 'delayed' nap!
Wrote him a note for IF he would wake up and not seeing me...
As you can see again from the outside where I stepped out of the door, a picture perfect day at a lovely location.
So happy with our 3 FREE nights on points, that we accumulated over the years.
There was a lot of construction going on alongside the Sarasota Bay area... could not walk further here as I hit a fence.
Picture from the front entrance of the Hyatt Regency
Enjoyed walking on the other side of the road into this lovely Van Weezel Way at Sarasota Bay area.
In the distance you see the John Ringling Causeway Bridge towards Saint Armands Circle on Lido Key.
Photo taken near Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
This was near the spot where I've captured in 2014 the Anhinga: {Sarasota Bay, Florida - Anhinga} ←click link.
Walking behind our hotel, I enjoyed watching these brown pelicans.
Diving ever so fast and when they resurfaced they had scooped up a fish...
Hence that kind of 'bag' under their beak. They then swallowed it down and flew off in order to dive again!
Do you see the pelican in the center, ready to dive?
Right before the entrance door, from the backside of the Hyatt Regency, this juvenile Snowy Egret in residence was greeting me.
My Pieter was still happily napping between the goose down duvet and pillows...
So he had not yet read my note about me walking! 😉
A beautiful sunset on our first evening back in Sarasota Bay...
{Award Nights at Hyatt Regency in Sarasota, Florida} We already enjoyed a stay in 2016
{Sarasota, Florida - Hyatt Regency} and in 2014 and once before that...
Click in center...
Hi Mariette, Not near as grand for sure, but the Sunshine Skyway bridge reminds me of the Varina Enon cable-stayed bridge here in Va. I would love to travel over the Sunshine Bridge. The video you added to your post, my husband and I both watched. Same coast you were on as his Aunt when she lived in Fort Myers Florida. Pieter all comfy in that luxury bedding and you out sightseeing, gave me a chuckle, never waking up to read your note. Great picture of you in the elevator. You always have such a sweet smile in your pictures. Love the egrets and those pelicans. Well, now off to catch up on the rest of your previous posts. Happy weekend and hugs, Betsy
ReplyDeleteDearest Betsy,
DeleteOh, on this blue sky day I loved to drive this route once more.
Yes, the Varina Enon over Dutch Gap is a little brother of this one!
Driving over this majestic bridge never will tire me.
Pieter did not notice me slipping out... it gave me a chuckle when I got back!
Both of us slept like roses in this bed and it was absolutely quiet.
Oh, the water fowl is breathtaking; love nature!
Hugs,
Mariette
It's very warm in Florida now. Birds are enjoying happy days under the shining blue sky. They make me smile.
ReplyDeleteDearest RTC,
DeleteYes, that cold spell is over with and the weather turned pleasant again.
For all those birds it is paradise and I'm glad it made you smile.
Hugs,
Mariette
Bellissimi paesaggi Mariette!Buona domenica.
ReplyDeleteCara Olga,
DeleteGrazie e anche tutti voi una buona domenica pommerigio!
Abbracci,
Mariette
What a wonderful holiday destination. I am envious. Thank you so much for sharing your photos with us. I really loved the egret. Really beautiful memories. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you both.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteIt is indeed a lovely destination and I will return there, no doubt.
That egret almost winked at me when it let me pass by...😉
Hugs,
Mariette
Absolutely lovely looking!
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteAnd that is what it WAS!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, Your photos have brought back memories of my many trips to Florida, with its water, sunshine and wildlife. It seems that Taiwan should be very similar, but somehow it isn't. We used to visit my grandparents who had retired there, and I also had many conferences for my work, which conveniently allowed me to visit my relatives at the same time.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteSo glad it did bring back fond memories for you. Florida indeed does have a sparkling combination of water/sunshine/wildlife. Guess the same we can say about the Island of Java/Indonesia where we lived, not even coming close to Florida's natural gems.
We have come south for over three decades now and never get tired of doing so.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - we have visited that area 6 times over the years to stay on Anna Maria Island. My brother and his wife used to take a property there for 2 months and then travel down from Canada and we would fly over and join them.
ReplyDeleteWe love the Marie Selby Gardens in Sarasota - have you visited them?
Dearest Rosemary,
DeleteGlad for you for having been in this beautiful part of Florida.
No, we have not visited the Marie Selby Gardens yet as within walking distance we had such a beautiful trail leading up to Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at Sarasota Bay.
For us, time spent with dear friends was more valuable.
Hugs,
Mariette
Carl and I loved living in Maitland Florida ... if we had family there, we would move back in a New York Minute! Wishing you a lovely Sunday.
ReplyDeleteDearest Helen,
DeleteThat would indeed be a lovely place to be, close to both costs and Florida's natural beauty.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a nice getaway. I've never been to Florida - too far away. I do have a 2nd cousin who lives in Bell, Florida. They live in a bomb shelter and are off the grid.
ReplyDeleteDearest Debby,
DeleteIt sure was a nice winter-getaway for seeing green and flowers again.
We can manage, as long as you don't have to go all the way to the south, it is rather much.
Bell, FL is in the northern part, not that far away from Georgia, indeed for driving from the West Coast all the way across the USA is too far.
Hugs,
Mariette
You were on my mind today so I popped over.Seeing this beautiful getaway you were able to enjoy makes me miss the south. When I was a child I was able to travel the Florida coast from the panhandle to everglades and back up the east coast several times. Mom and Dad loved Florida so we went every chance we had.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had the time to talk a lovely walk while Pieter was napping. Your photos were beautiful and I absolutely loved that little trip widget. So fun.
Dearest Ginger,
DeleteThank you for your visit here!
Oh, when it is winter and things look dreary and dead in the garden, Florida is a wonderful escape!
You were lucky for having been there often with your Mom and Dad.
Stay tuned for more, we managed to walk together and I've captured that also with the fun Relive app.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a lovely trip/stay you had to Florida! I have never been to that part of the USA!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing those photos and the video! The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is so impressive!!!!!
Hugs to you, dear Mariette!!!!
Dearest Marie-Anne,
DeleteThank you and indeed we had; fond memories made once again.
It is a beautiful area and we never can get enough of it.
Hugs,
Mariette
Lovely area. We were there a couple of years ago and stayed at a resort out on Longboat Key. We so enjoyed the Botanical Gardens at Sarasota! Cute picture of you in the elevator!
ReplyDeleteDearest Janey,
DeleteThank you and so glad you also know this region.
Hugs,
Mariette
Such a lovely vacation destination, Mariette.
ReplyDeleteLove the glorious photos, especially that cute photo of you.
Lots of hugs to you, my beautiful friend.
Dearest Veronica,
DeleteThank you and it indeed was a lovely destination.
Hugs,
Mariette
Great post Mariette - especially liked the selfie you took! That video is awesome - I didn't know anything such as that app was available when driving, interesting to see the miles you drove.
ReplyDeleteI've not been to FL since taking granddaughter to Disney - we flew home to Raleigh the night prior to 9/11. If we had stayed another day we would have been stuck in Orlando as all flights etc. were cancelled during those terrible days.
I'm definitely not a lover of tropical climates so can't say I like Florida, plus it being so flat, but do love the ocean and there are some lovely beaches down there!
Glad you had such a fun time.
Mary -
Dearest Mary,
DeleteThank you and yes, Relive is a wonderful app developed by some Dutch men. It can be used for many things, hiking, biking, driving. We love getting an idea from where we were.
You certainly have not been to Florida in a long time.
But you make a mistake about the climate, it is not tropical but humid subtropical. Only the very south of Florida is tropical but not like e.g. Indonesia which is right on the equator.
Florida is indeed rather flat but on my video you can see that we did still some climbing in that area.
For us the hurricanes would be a serious issue, not the climate as that is perfect.
Hugs,
Mariette
Love That Selfie From The Elevator - And Mr Pieter Crashed Out Like A Big Dog Is Hilarious - Thanx For All The Photos - Keep On Keeping On You Two Kids
ReplyDeleteCheers
Dearest Travis,
DeleteThank you and yes, Pieter really did crash out and had a perfect nap!
Hugs,
Mariette
I hope you return to travel soon. It's good to collect memories.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteYes, we both hope to be able doing this more often together.
Those turn out to be the fondest memories!
Hugs,
Mariette