Spring is my very favorite time of year. I love to see the bright green buds on the trees and the first signs of tulips and daffodils poking up through the ground! In a way I didn't want to miss a minute of it... especially being in a new house this year that has already surprised me with things popping up where I didn't expect them. But one of my dearest friends lives in Sarasota and it has been a couple of years since my last visit, so when the chance to accompany my husband on a business trip meant a mini-vacation for me, I just couldn't pass it up!
Our first night there we dined at a very popular restaurant in Sarasota called Owen's Fish Camp. It reminded me of cottage style restaurants that you find in Northern Ontario. I loved the huge banyan tree in the front of the building, and I was quite taken by their wine list!
 |
| Entrance to Owen's Fish Camp |
 |
The wine list! |
The next morning we took a trip down to Punta Gorda, and one of our favorite places - Fisherman's Village. There is nothing quite like sitting at a restaurant, right on the waterside eating raw oysters and watching dolphins play! (Sorry, I didn't get any pictures this time.)
We also visited St. Armand's Circle and had a snack at the famous Columbia Restaurant which specializes in Cuban food. We sat at one of the outside tables and had fun people watching. The food was delicious and I would definitely like to go back there for a meal when I am hungry for more than a snack.
 |
Self explanatory! |
Our last dinner in Sarasota was at a Japanese restaurant called JoTo. We sat at one of the hibachi style tables that I had only ever seen before on television. It was fascinating to watch the chef cooking. He made a little volcano out of an onion half! And, of course, the food was excellent!
 |
| JoTo Restaurant chef |
 |
| Onion volano! |
So, enough about food!!
The weather was spectacular the entire time we were there - blue skies - termperatures in the high eighties with a breeze. What a difference from what Mother Nature brought to us here yesterday.....
 |
| Hail on April 17th - yuchhhhhhh! |
We stayed at a Ramada. which (unbenounced to us) had just recently been purchased by them and had more than a few glitches to work out. What started off as not such a great stay was made right by the staff. We ended up with a lovely executive room looking out at the marina and I would definitely go back.
The hotel is right on an inland waterway with a marina. I was intrigued by what looked like a church at the end of the dock, and upon closer inspection it turned out to be a floating chapel. It was beautiful and wished I could have seen the interior to see if it was as charming as it appeared from the outside....maybe on another visit!
 |
| Back of the Ramada. |
 |
| Floating chapel. |
And of course, I got lots of visiting in with my friend and my very favorite dog, Basil.... what a face!!!!
 |
| Love you Basil! |
Oh - and it's snowing again! Enough already!!!!!!! :-)
