My Florida Pics So Far.....

[fringed n fab]

I've taken over 600 pics since moving here last winter and been meaning to upload them to my computer for the longest time to share with everyone so bear with me as I go through some of what I think is the best of me, my family (the few that live here and others that came down to visit) and the beautiful beaches I've been to these past few months from Tampa/Clearwater to Naples almost in the Everglades, and just about every SW FL beach in between. Out of all I have to say I love the Sarasota area and beaches and so glad I chose this region of Florida to live.

The other day at Lido Beach in Sarasota.

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At the Venice/Nokomis Jetty on Casey Key. Stephen King has a home here and gathered inspiration for his book Duma Key.

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Siesta Key in Sarasota

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[fringed n fab]

Lido Key Beach in Sarasota

My niece and nephew
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My brother and sister inlaw.

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[fringed n fab]

Lido Pass out to Gulf of Mexico

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Looking down the bay at Lido with Sarasota in the distance.

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[fringed n fab]

We couldn't decide on where to watch the fireworks, so we went down to Charlotte Harbor and watched as they were let off over in Punta Gorda on the other side. I absolutely love the skies here in Florida.

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Alligator behind Publix Supermarket in the canal. He/she was there for a few weeks then one day it was gone. I hope animal control left him alone because he never seemed to bother anyone. Just came to the waters edge hoping you'd throw food.

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[fringed n fab]

This Banana Spider just kept growing and growing all summer and was as big as my hand eventually. These keep to themselves pretty much but it's the furry fat spiders that wanna run inside your house that give me the jeebies.

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I love Tampa Bay and this picture doesn't begin to do it justice how huge it actually is. It looks like you're on the open ocean out there with no land in sight. I love the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It's the best 1.00 toll I've ever spent. :nod:

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Venice, Florida.

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[fringed n fab]

Down the coast about 30 minutes is Boca Grande, Florida. If you want a day without crowds, you come here. It was summer and rains moved in but I managed to get some decent pics that day.

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Boca Pass. Warning signs are posted all over warning people not to swim in these passes, or risk being swept out to sea from the swift changing currents into the Gulf. Sadly a few years ago a young teen boy drowned attempting to swim across one of the passes here at Boca to reach the other side.

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The working lighthouse at Boca Grande.

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Driving around Boca. The homes here (like all the islands) are multimillion and so pretty.

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100 year old Banyan trees on Banyan Street. People get married under here.

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My 1 year older sister in the pink, and my sister in law under one of the trees. People have carved their names on the trees but we all felt iffy doing it, cause they're I dunno... over 100 years old and we're just superstitious like that.

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My sister said she wouldn't have any other of the immaculate mansions here, she'd be happy with this little beach house here lol. (And she would)


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[fringed n fab]

Are there any other people who just LOVE the beautiful tropical Florida skies? If anything has amazed me since moving here, it's these beautiful skies we get. Growing up in Ohio, nobody cares what the sky looks like, it's just another day up there. But down here they really are so different and so beautiful. :nod: Gulf sunsets.


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[GODDESS6]

absolutely gorgeous, thanx for sharing:wavey:~

[cliffdweller]

Hey neighbor! I live just over the Skyway Bridge in St. Pete (also a great beach destination!). I have only been to Sarasota once, but plan to visit again soon. Do you ever venture out the Tampa way?

[louielouie2000]

Gorgeous pics, Shane!! The water is so clear and gorgeous... you're so lucky!! :) I just noticed you were on Siesta Key for my 28th birthday... I'm glad y'all picked such a gorgeous place to celebrate for me! :woohoo::laugh:

[daniellaaarisen]

I went to Florida for the first time in June (Miami) and you're making me miss it :(

[jannieC]

I lived in Bradenton for a year or two and spent a lot of time in Sarasota. Beautiful area- thanks for sharing the photos!

[vivfox]

Absolutely breathtaking photos Shane! You take great pics! I wanna see more.

[fringed n fab]

Thanks everyone! Viv I have more, I just need to sort through them all. Louie I love your new pic.

[fringed n fab]

Hey neighbor! I live just over the Skyway Bridge in St. Pete (also a great beach destination!). I have only been to Sarasota once, but plan to visit again soon. Do you ever venture out the Tampa way?

As much as I can, I try to make it up there. I love the Bay area. One of the benefits of living here vs. vacationing is there's time to do so many more things and places to visit so that's what I've done since being here.

[kathy1]

thanks for sharing i love the photos. how do you like living there?

[iamnotafraid]

Cool pictures fab.

[fringed n fab]

thanks for sharing i love the photos. how do you like living there?

I've been here a year now this winter and I like living here. Florida is Florida and there's no other state I'd rather be really. I know if I ever want to move back "home" I can. The people I've encountered here have been so outgoing and nice. Ones who live here and others just vacationing. I've been here a year and all I see mostly are young families and people in their 20's 30's and 40's out and about so where people get it's a lot of older people, I've rarely seen any. And the few I have have been nice and everyones just enjoying the beauty here we all do. It's also nice knowing you live in a place so many have been to and can relate. I like that.

[vivfox]

Where you live is very beautiful but I'm still a little bit freaked out by the bobcat in the neighbor's driveway. I love to take walks at night, but with creatures like that roaming around I'd find myself a prisoner of my house.

[SuperFleetwood]

lol!!!!!!!!

Where you live is very beautiful but I'm still a little bit freaked out by the bobcat in the neighbor's driveway. I love to take walks at night, but with creatures like that roaming around I'd find myself a prisoner of my house.

[TerraRhiannon]

Wow - Florida looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the pictures Fringed n fab!

[fringed n fab]

Where you live is very beautiful but I'm still a little bit freaked out by the bobcat in the neighbor's driveway. I love to take walks at night, but with creatures like that roaming around I'd find myself a prisoner of my house.

I'm not afraid at all to step outside here at night where I live. Plenty of neighbors and well lit really, it's just across the street here there aren't any homes yet on a few lots and all it is is Florida palms and scrub. You will rarely see a bobcat and when you do, they will dart into some bushes or shy away from you. Some people even make pets out of them, but it's not advised. It's even more rare to spot a FL panther. Even with my contacts in, I can't see that well in dim light and the next day I realized what I thought was a stout wild cat 3 houses down, was actually just a Verizon utility box at the end of their drive. :lol: and you shouldn't be scared of Florida Viv, I've been here a year and the most you encounter here are lizards and critters so come on down. :thumbsup:

[fringed n fab]

See Viv, people post vids of the bobcats down here. Usually they'll just run if they see you. I've taken a million walks morning, noon, and night down here and I've only twice spotted a bobcat in broad daylight and both times they darted into some bushes when they saw me.

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[LikeAWillow]

Amazing photos. Thank you for posting them!

[Musicman408]

Absolutely beautiful- I am jealous!!

[vivfox]

Thank you Shane for the video. You have put my mind at ease.

[fringed n fab]

Manasota Key Beach in Englewood, FL.

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Gilligan's Bar and Grill in Sarasota. Fun little place with pounding music.

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[vivfox]

Even with my contacts in, I can't see that well in dim light and the next day I realized what I thought was a stout wild cat 3 houses down, was actually just a Verizon utility box at the end of their drive.


You need to stay away from that sticky green.:laugh:

[fringed n fab]

You need to stay away from that sticky green.:laugh: If you're talking about what I think you are, then ew. And if it's green they have problems. :shocked:

[fringed n fab]

Driving over the Ringling Bridge and Sarasota Bay to Lido Key

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[vivfox]

Shane, as I'm up here in the Northeast freezing to death and dreading winter it is so hard for me to look at these pics and concieve there is still somewhere in the USA enjoying summer weather. I'm so glad for you. I totally love these photos. They truly do warm my heart.

[fringed n fab]

Thanks Viv. I'm still going through them all but those are some recent ones from the past week. My sister and her bf brought his little sister and daughter down and they did not want to go back to Ohio. It's 72 degrees at 8 o'clock and I'm still running the AC during the day. I think a cold front is moving in over the state though sometime this week and will put us in the 40's overnight but down here it usually warms up again by noon during the winter. And to a lot of full time residents, daytime temps in the 70's feel comfortable after such a long hot humid summer. Me, I love Florida either way really.

[fringed n fab]

Sarasota a few days ago

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[fringed n fab]

After an early cold snap the past few nights, we finally warmed back up to seasonal temps in the 70's today and I went for a nice walk and decided to snap some pics on my cell. It was nice to put on shorts and a tee shirt again and leave the jacket at home.

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I love this Spanish moss tree I pass as I walk down the road

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This is the Florida jungle I'm always talking about. It makes me wonder what the interior of the state looked like hundreds of years ago before man came in and developed it all.

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[fringed n fab]

Bridge over the canal right around the corner from my house

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I just love this house around the corner from me. It has been empty since I moved here and is immaculate inside with interior columns as soon as you step inside the door and a huge open kitchen with cherry wood cabinets and a pool out back. I love how they paint homes here in golds and deep oranges, and others in the bold beachy Florida colors because you can get away with it down here.

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[RockAlot]

Very nice, hmmm need to consider relocating to Florida! Love the fact that I can actually do that, no ties or children etc.!!

[fringed n fab]

Went to the beach the other day and stayed until sunset and caught the first one of 2011 Jan 1st and it's been so nice down here this week.

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[vivfox]

Went to the beach the other day and stayed until sunset and caught the first one of 2011 Jan 1st and it's been so nice down here this week.


Breathtaking!

[fringed n fab]

Went down to Englewood Beach again today and snapped some so-so pics I guess. It was too nice to not be outside, and 80 degrees again today.

Going over the bridge and Lemon Bay to Manasota Key in Englewood. You can feel the breeze and smell the sweet salt air as you're going over.

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Englewood Beach on Manasota Key

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[michelle2677]

Venice, Florida.

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been here many times. my grandparents live in osprey, in sorrento shores :)

[fringed n fab]

^^ Yeah Venice is a nice beachy town. And if you blink, you'll miss Osprey as you drive through it lol. I like Nokomis too and Casey Key and the jetties there. I think I'll plan my next beach day there.

[fringed n fab]

My brother was fiddling with my camera the other night and set the date wrong and I didn't notice it until after taking pics yesterday of the beach. They should read 2-18-11

I spent the day down at Boca Grande (Gasparilla Island) and wanted to share.

Going over the causeway that takes you over to the island and looking over at Gasparilla Sound and inlets out to the Gulf of Mexico, so pretty...

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I love this view out to the Gulf

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Boca Pass at the southern end of the island

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Southern end also, where Charlotte Harbor flows out to the Gulf of Mexico.

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Looking the other direction out to the Gulf where the beach wraps around

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I love the sun shining on the water, I wish this pic had turned out better but the sun was too bright.

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Charlotte Harbor end again

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Charlotte Harbor

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Gulf side

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The old pier again

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[louielouie2000]

The color of that water is just outta this world!! :shocked:

Shane, I think you really need to invest in a convertible! :D

[Musicman408]

So so so beautiful, and SO SO SO jealous!!!

[vivfox]

You must be thanking God a thousand times a day for the oppurtunity to live in Florida, especially when you know it's cold as f&ck in Ohio.

[fringed n fab]

Thanks guys. I spent the day there with family yesterday and it was perfect weather, warm but not too hot. I must've walked half that island taking pics. Louie as I was walking down the beach, I passed a hot guy about 6'3 and 225 who literally smelled delicious lol but I didn't want to obviously be taking a pic of him :laugh: but he was fine. I had a great time and don't make it down there enough.

[fringed n fab]

You must be thanking God a thousand times a day for the oppurtunity to live in Florida, especially when you know it's cold as f&ck in Ohio.

It's nice and has it's tradeoff's, I still miss some things about home but definitely not winter and don't miss Ohio enough to want to move back anytime soon. I think I'd hate being landlocked again after 3 days knowing I can't just run to open water and the beach. When you live here vs. vacationing there's more time to do more stuff :nod:

[fringed n fab]

In just a little over 2 hours driving from home today I made it into Miami and stopped for the night to rest and walk around South Beach. Boy is it busy! People everywhere. I'm here with my sister inlaw and my brother and we'll drive on down to some of the Keys at least, tomorrow morning. I had never been in Miami and it's everything it's made out to be :nod:

Soon as we got into Miami looking over from I75

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[fringed n fab]

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Looking out my hotel window right on South Beach to the high rise condo next door and the penthouses. Pretty cool stuff.

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee466/fringedNfab/MiamiFL19.jpg

[louielouie2000]

I had never been in Miami and it's everything it's made out to be :nod:

I'll still never forget the first time I drove into Miami. I just could not believe how HUGE it was. The skyscrapers quite literally go for as long as the eye can see. Then the reality of the place kicks in, and you nailed it: it's everything it's made out to be and more. It's a 3rd world country... right here in the USA. It's extreme wealth like I've never seen. And there's no buffer in between the two. I think Miami is the only city I've ever been in where I actually feel scared to be there... and am uneasy until I leave (I drive through Miami every year en route to Key West). Anyway, stay safe Shane and take lots of pics of the Keys for me! I miss them so. :nod:

[fringed n fab]

Condo next door again

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee466/fringedNfab/MiamiFL20.jpg


Looking up

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee466/fringedNfab/MiamiFL21.jpg

[fringed n fab]

I couldn't imagine living this kind of life though really... pretty cool though and definitely everything you've heard about South Beach/Miami hah.

[fringed n fab]

I'll still never forget the first time I drove into Miami. I just could not believe how HUGE it was. The skyscrapers quite literally go for as long as the eye can see. Then the reality of the place kicks in, and you nailed it: it's everything it's made out to be and more. It's a 3rd world country... right here in the USA. It's extreme wealth like I've never seen. And there's no buffer in between the two. I think Miami is the only city I've ever been in where I actually feel scared to be there... and am uneasy until I leave (I drive through Miami every year en route to Key West). Anyway, stay safe Shane and take lots of pics of the Keys for me! I miss them so. :nod:

It is a bit intimidating and so many wealthy and "different" people everywhere, and why I just snapped pics in the car when I got here :lol: My brother's like just hop out and I'll swing back around the block and pick you up. I was like Uh, no you won't lol I'll just take pics from the car, so I apologize for some that turned out blurry as we moved. People are crazy here and cars going everywhere and people walking between cars, I guess any metropolis is like that though. My sister inlaw is here mainly because she hopes she'll run into the Kardashians :rolleyes: lol. If I had my pick of favorite celebs to hope to run into, it wouldn't be that family. I'll snap more (hopefully better) pics as we head to the Keys and walk around tomorrow before we leave South Beach. I have to admit some of these Latino and Cuban men walking around are fine :lol: Oh my goodness.

[CreepingDeath]

Nice pics, Shane. I think I'm going to take my talents to South Beach.

[fringed n fab]

Nice pics, Shane. I think I'm going to take my talents to South Beach.

It's definitely "something else". And an entirely different flair and flavor down here. :nod:

[vivfox]

I have to admit some of these Latino and Cuban men walking around are fine :lol: Oh my goodness.


Vivica's dream.

[CreepingDeath]

It's definitely "something else". And an entirely different flair and flavor down here. :nod:

Yes, I've been to Miami a few times and it's quite an experience. In my previous post, I was just making fun of LeBron James with taking my "talents" to South Beach.

[fringed n fab]

Had fun staying over in South Beach and waking up looking out at the beautiful water and beach the next morning. I made it a point to stay and walk around awhile before heading on down to the Keys for the day. The Keys were beautiful and Key West a blast, but I have to admit I liked Miami and all there is to do there and I've been to quite a few beaches here where I live but South Beach takes the cake! That beach and water were absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I'm going to start making day trips there just for that beach and all there is to do in Miami. By the time I made it into Key West, it was a little after 6 pm and the sun just setting (gorgeous by the way) but I didn't get a chance to visit the beaches and see the water there for myself to compare, so maybe next time around I can make a day or two of that but right now I am awestruck over South Beach and definitely visiting again since I now know it's only 2 hours from my house. : )

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South Beach. Absolutely beautiful!!

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2202/045yc.jpg

[fringed n fab]

Hotel view the next morning

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[louielouie2000]

By the time I made it into Key West, it was a little after 6 pm and the sun just setting (gorgeous by the way) but I didn't get a chance to visit the beaches and see the water there for myself to compare, so maybe next time around I can make a day or two of that

Key West doesn't have beaches for the most part. The city is old, and they reclaimed land out over the water with sea walls around most of the island. The parts of the coast which aren't developed with sea walls are mangrove swamps. The one manmade beach on the island, Smathers Beach, is kinda gross.

If you want an incredible beach when you're in the Keys, DO NOT MISS Bahia Honda State Park :thumbsup:. You drive right past it on Hwy 1 on the way down to Key West. Stop in there next time you head down to Key West.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/louielouie2000/100_2672.jpg

[fringed n fab]

Key West doesn't have beaches for the most part. The city is old, and they reclaimed land out over the water with sea walls around most of the island. The parts of the coast which aren't developed with sea walls are mangrove swamps. The one manmade beach on the island, Smathers Beach, is kinda gross.

If you want an incredible beach when you're in the Keys, DO NOT MISS Bahia Honda State Park :thumbsup:. You drive right past it on Hwy 1 on the way down to Key West. Stop in there next time you head down to Key West.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/louielouie2000/100_2672.jpg

By the time we woke up, got ready, checked out by noon and grabbed lunch downtown, and walked South Beach for a bit taking it all in, it was after 2 30 pm and we wanted to spend the rest of the day down in the Keys and driving to Key West to visit. I had never been there or Miami for that matter, so it was all something big and new to me. :nod: But we did get a feel of Duval Street (lol) and had the best time and grabbed some dinner at Cheeseburger Key West. And it was the best cheeseburger I've had in a long time. The sun was setting right as we got there about 6 30 so we at least saw that from the highway going in, so pretty. By the time we parked and everything it was almost dark so we just walked down Duval Street taking pictures and stopping to shop. I did stand on Mallory Square and walk over to the seawall/waters edge there and stare down at big fish you could clearly see through the clear water.... I just didn't get a chance to see it all in broad daylight like we'd hoped. Maybe next time though. I've heard it's beautiful water there at Key West, but that none of the Keys really have nice "beaches" like the mainland does. It was a fun experience though trying to pack it all in on a whim and definitely worth the trip. I had so much fun, and I live in Florida lol. We left Key West about 11 pm Sunday night and while traffic was busy driving down at first, we were the only car on the highway most of the way back and my brother stopped the car every so often right on the highway and we stared up at the night sky at a million stars, it was both eery yet so cool to have nothing but darkness on either side of you for miles (liquid space really) and knowing you were out in the middle of water and nowhere land. It was so much fun though and I'm definitely doing it again. I now know I can be in Miami in 2 hours or in Key West in 5 from my house if I drive down. :thumbsup:

[fringed n fab]

Oh, we passed right by Bahia Honda and wanted to stop, but decided better hurry and get on to Key West before dark to see as much as we could cram in, so next time I will stop at Bahia when I have more time. We all had to be back by Monday so we tried to do as much as we could over the weekend.

[fringed n fab]

South Beach

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4571/033sjv.jpg

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[vivfox]

I have been to the beach in Miami and I have enjoyed all your photos, but from all that you have posted I like the beaches in Sarasota, where you live, much, much better.

[fringed n fab]

I have been to the beach in Miami and I have enjoyed all your photos, but from all that you have posted I like the beaches in Sarasota, where you live, much, much better.

Oh I love the area and beaches I chose to live, I don't think I could live in Miami, but just visit lol. It's a busy bustling metropolis, too much for me but definitely was a fun place to visit. I was scared at first because you hear of so many bad things about Miami, but I found the people friendly and most spoke English (lol) contrary to popular belief. I didn't have any problems at all while there. I'm definitely going back again and while I love my SW FL beaches, South Beach was definitely beautiful and something else. It tops my list as one of the Best Florida beaches I've been to along with Sarasota's and my side of Florida. :nod: And my brother and sil agree.

[fringed n fab]

It was also pretty cool to drive I75 (Alligator Alley, in the red) across the southern portion of the state in the Everglades from the west coast to the east coast to Miami. It took about an hour to cross the state and being in the Everglades was so cool. It was sawgrass and birds and wildlife for as far as your eyes could see on either side of the road.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/2789/290pxalligatoralleymap.png

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2768/interstate75andalligato.jpg

[fringed n fab]

Driving down to Key West, I believe this was taken somewhere in the upper Keys.

http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/4288/093ii.jpg

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1526/100dif.jpg

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Middle Keys

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/1504/095ka.jpg

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http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/5089/099.jpg

[fringed n fab]

Somewhere in the Middle Keys we pulled over off the side of the road in a parking area and walked around for a minute and I snapped these pics looking over the road. The water was clear and shallow looking....

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/1043/107np.jpg

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[fringed n fab]

Key West

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/4383/126tp.jpg

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http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/6377/117ed.jpg

[fringed n fab]

South Beach, Miami.

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/258/southbeach.jpg

[vivfox]

Key West
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8251/120hb.jpg


As always, your photos are gorgeous. Makes me wish I lived near some Blue Water.
Check out the ghost on the left side of this photo as he's crossing the street. All we can see is the bottom half of him.

[fringed n fab]

As always, your photos are gorgeous. Makes me wish I lived near some Blue Water.
Check out the ghost on the left side of this photo as he's crossing the street. All we can see is the bottom half of him.

Thanks. I am still trying to figure out the best settings on my camera and usually just set it to auto for most pics during the day but when snapping pics using the nighttime setting, the littlest movement causes blur. I didn't want the flash going off in the faces of people as we walked down the street either so I set it to nighttime which is a great setting (no flash) as long as you can keep your hands still and take good nighttime photos.

[fringed n fab]

Some more pics around Sarasota going over to Lido Beach the other day.

Looking at the Ringling Bridge and the boats at Marina Jacks. I don't think the boats ever leave from here hah. No seriously, boats are always here.

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/6900/003cmv.jpg


Part of the bridge and Sarasota Bay

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6454/012hr.jpg

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Lido Beach (Southern end)

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/5647/017sc.jpg

Niece

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[fringed n fab]

A few days back I visited Boca Grande again and took pics of the smaller Lighthouse museum inside

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[fringed n fab]

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[fringed n fab]

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[fringed n fab]

Spent a day at Englewood Beach recently and took some pics

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[McTrouble]

Wonderful pics - those beach and seashore shots brought back memories of when I spent some time in Indian Shores, Florida :)

[fringed n fab]

Same day, watching the sunset at Englewood Beach.


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[fringed n fab]

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[fringed n fab]

Wonderful pics - those beach and seashore shots brought back memories of when I spent some time in Indian Shores, Florida :)

Thank you. :)

[mylittledemon]

oh man, great pics. My Dad loved Sloppy Joe's (he lived in Miami for about 10 years) :cool:

[fringed n fab]

oh man, great pics. My Dad loved Sloppy Joe's (he lived in Miami for about 10 years) :cool:

Thanks. I had so much fun that weekend. Key West was something we had only an evening to experience before having to head back home and I really didn't get to see the water there in daytime but you could tell it was still beautiful because all the big fish swimming around at night. Next time I'll just book a room when I go. Miami is what changed some of my views about it after finally MAKING it down there. I had never been there but it was so much fun and that water at South Beach was crystal clear and the lightest blue-green I have seen yet in Florida, and I love my Gulf beaches so that's saying a lot. I also couldn't believe how warm it was already when I got in, people down there were already swimming without being chilled and the Gulf is only about 70 right now and still warming up. I'd think the ocean side would've been colder but it wasn't. I put South Beach right up there with some of the top best beaches I've been to in Florida and while I love the Gulf beaches and the SW FL side to live, I will start making little trips to Miami now that I've visited and know it's so close within a 2 hour drive. I still wouldn't live there cause Miami is still Miami (lol) but I felt safe staying right on the beach and that general area of downtown. It was fun!

[mylittledemon]

I really miss Orlando. I spent the better part of 5 years there. All the "bestest" friends I made in my life were, and 90% of them are still there. It's a love/hate thing though as I really hate the city, and a lot the behavior from... ahem... wealthy locals? My wife's family lives somewhere in Sarasota... about a 5 min drive from all those Amish restaurants.

[vivfox]

My wife's family lives somewhere in Sarasota...
You should visit soon. Shane resides there too.

[louielouie2000]

oh man, great pics. My Dad loved Sloppy Joe's :cool:

Sloppy Joe's is my fav bar in Key West, too! They have the best frozen drinks, period. And they top them off with 151 rum... :woohoo:

[fringed n fab]

I really miss Orlando. I spent the better part of 5 years there. All the "bestest" friends I made in my life were, and 90% of them are still there. It's a love/hate thing though as I really hate the city, and a lot the behavior from... ahem... wealthy locals? My wife's family lives somewhere in Sarasota... about a 5 min drive from all those Amish restaurants.

All I've heard about Orlando is it is crazy and the traffic terrible and it's miserably hot in Summer being interior FL. I have yet to even make it over there but my brother worked around Orlando doing construction outside all last Summer in some of the hottest heat we had and I don't see how one does it down here because it does get HOT if you're doing outside work as a profession. It's constant AC 24/7 during the hot months and I prefer being in it lol. His job here has taken him all over the state so he's seen a lot more than I have really and him and my sil are taking their kids to Disney this weekend cause her dad and sister flew in from Ohio and are actually up there now. Orlando does look happening and fun though.

[fringed n fab]

You live on an island there don't you Brandon? Do you ever take pictures of some of the beaches around there in NZ? Just wondering cause I've never seen you at the beach there and you never talk of going I don't think. Do you not like the beach? Sorry for the ?'s, you just never talk about any of it. :p

[mylittledemon]

I like the beach but I'm scared (oddly enough) of open water.

[fringed n fab]

I really miss Orlando. I spent the better part of 5 years there. All the "bestest" friends I made in my life were, and 90% of them are still there. It's a love/hate thing though as I really hate the city, and a lot the behavior from... ahem... wealthy locals? My wife's family lives somewhere in Sarasota... about a 5 min drive from all those Amish restaurants.

I hear stories about this, I think it happens more in different parts of the state depending on where you're at but I've been down here a year and all I see and encounter are a mix of old and younger people and families just wanting the same kind of life as everyone else. What you see in my pics is what I've found. I'm sure there are some grumpy or snooty people here but I've yet to run into any. Even while I was in Miami the people were nice.

[fringed n fab]

I like the beach but I'm scared (oddly enough) of open water.

I've wanted to ask because some of the pics I've seen of NZ they look to have awesome beaches. :nod:

[fringed n fab]

Oh there's nothing like standing next to the ocean. It's what I'd hate if I ever did move back to Ohio again to be landlocked (at least S. Ohio) anyway. I'm so used to having water everywhere now that it's hard to imagine not being around it again. It's just part of living here and where you're at too. :p

[mylittledemon]

Oh i have some great pics of the beaches... I just don't ever post them. Napier Bay was the last place I went to (on the east coast)... stayed at a beach house about 100metres above the beach... it was STUNNING. Makara Beach is also very nice. I'll see if I can scrounge up some pics.

I hear stories about this, I think it happens more in different parts of the state depending on where you're at but I've been down here a year and all I see and encounter are a mix of old and younger people and families just wanting the same kind of life as everyone else. What you see in my pics is what I've found. I'm sure there are some grumpy or snooty people here but I've yet to run into any. Even while I was in Miami the people were nice.

Yeah you're right, there are nutballs everywhere. There just seem to be more of them in Orlando. ;)

[CelticGypsy]

Are there any other people who just LOVE the beautiful tropical Florida skies? If anything has amazed me since moving here, it's these beautiful skies we get. Growing up in Ohio, nobody cares what the sky looks like, it's just another day up there. But down here they really are so different and so beautiful. :nod: Gulf sunsets.


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Beautiful skies!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing pics of FL. Use to live in Pensacola a long time ago. Sort of miss it.

[fringed n fab]

Beautiful skies!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing pics of FL. Use to live in Pensacola a long time ago. Sort of miss it.

You're welcome. I never get tired of the skies and weather down here. It's a part of being in Florida. :)

[mylittledemon]

Shane,

You wanted to see some NZ beaches so here are a few that I've been to. I've got pics of Lake Ferry beach and Otaki Beach (one of my faves) but I can't find em!

Makara

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5541859120_369841a0cb_z.jpg


Napier

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5541859122_0e35431f2b_b.jpg


Tangoio

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5541859128_bacedcac12_b.jpg


Smith's Bay

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5541859132_3a554caa9e_b.jpg

[fringed n fab]

Beautiful pics Brandon of the beaches there :) If you have anymore please share, I love seeing NZ and where you live. You rarely talk about it much. :p

[mylittledemon]

haha, i dont talk about it because eyes glaze over and I get the "yeah yeah, we get it, NZ is great" sort of response. ;)

[fringed n fab]

haha, i dont talk about it because eyes glaze over and I get the "yeah yeah, we get it, NZ is great" sort of response. ;)

You should feel free to post and share what you want to with others, I do. Who cares what others think, they can skip over threads they don't like. I love talking and sharing the things I see and do and area I live. Not everything has to revolve around Mac talk. I would love to know more about (you) and NZ. :laugh:

Like I've said before all I know about it are from watching and loving the movie

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee466/fringedNfab/OnceWereWarriors.jpg

[louielouie2000]

haha, i dont talk about it because eyes glaze over and I get the "yeah yeah, we get it, NZ is great" sort of response. ;)

I get that too every time I post new pics of Austin on my facebook page. Doesn't stop me... I share my pics because I'm happy and want to share the beautiful moments of my life with those I care about :). Some people like to harp on negativity on facebook... I prefer to share the good stuff instead.

And you SHOULD post some NZ pics... that country fascinates me.

[fringed n fab]

Pay no attention to others and concentrate on the ones who really are interested and appreciative of your stories and travels and photos. They're enlightening to others and people who've never been there be it FL, NZ, TX, or any other far off place.

[louielouie2000]

Pay no attention to others and concentrate on the ones who really are interested and appreciative of your stories and travels and photos. They're enlightening to others and people who've never been there be it FL, NZ, TX, or any other far off place.

That's the way I view it! I've blown so many people's pre conceived notions about Texas outta the water by sharing my pics and experiences of Austin. And I just genuinely enjoy sharing my experiences with others.

Transversely, I LOVE reading about other people's experiences myself! I had no idea the region of Florida you live in was so amazingly gorgeous, for instance. All of my experiences with the Gulf have been negative. All the way from Texas through Alabama the Gulf is muddy brown, and the beaches in Texas especially have long been strewn with tar balls from all the offshore oil drilling. All your pics have just turned my knowledge of the Gulf upside down, and I love that! :thumbsup:

[mylittledemon]

Shane... once were warriors is a GREAT film but hard to watch... and according to a lot of guys I know here, it's fairly accurate.

If you want to see a truly moving and beautiful NZ film watch "BOY" by Taika Waititi. It's that good.

[fringed n fab]

That's the way I view it! I've blown so many people's pre conceived notions about Texas outta the water by sharing my pics and experiences of Austin. And I just genuinely enjoy sharing my experiences with others.

Transversely, I LOVE reading about other people's experiences myself! I had no idea the region of Florida you live in was so amazingly gorgeous, for instance. All of my experiences with the Gulf have been negative. All the way from Texas through Alabama the Gulf is muddy brown, and the beaches in Texas especially have long been strewn with tar balls from all the offshore oil drilling. All your pics have just turned my knowledge of the Gulf upside down, and I love that! :thumbsup:

I've heard from people the Gulf generally doesn't start looking nice until you get over towards the Florida Panhandle from the neighboring states but I don't know because most of my (only) experiences with the Gulf have been in FL. I remember visiting my Gma in Houston when I was little and going to the beach and it was big and brown. I was maybe 4. Until I moved down here I never thought there were so many other beaches and islands and things to do outside of the bigger touristy areas like Clearwater and such. That Florida got even prettier for miles and miles the farther south down the coast you went.

[fringed n fab]

Shane... once were warriors is a GREAT film but hard to watch... and according to a lot of guys I know here, it's fairly accurate.

If you want to see a truly moving and beautiful NZ film watch "BOY" by Taika Waititi. It's that good.

Hard to watch how though? I like that film.

[mylittledemon]

Hard to watch how though? I like that film.

I dont like watching women get beat on. Also, what happens to the daughter...

[fringed n fab]

I dont like watching women get beat on. Also, what happens to the daughter...

Oh... yeah that was traumatic to watch but sometimes the drama is what makes it a good film in the end to me for the story to get told. But she gets revenge in the end when she walks into the lounge with notebook in hand and lets truths be known and I think audiences loved that part.

[mylittledemon]

Oh it's a good movie, for sure. I didn't mean to make it sound like I disliked it. Really... check out "Boy"... I don't know anyone who doesnt enjoy it.

[fringed n fab]

Oh it's a good movie, for sure. I didn't mean to make it sound like I disliked it. Really... check out "Boy"... I don't know anyone who doesnt enjoy it.

Just looked it up... sounds interesting, I'll have to watch sometime or order it, if only for true love between two people. When it comes to sex I'd much rather watch a man and woman :laugh: but that's just how my twisted mind thinks or gets excited. Maybe those (few) early glimpses of corny gay porn ruined me years ago. This is one for the TMI thread tho. :shocked:

[mylittledemon]

My initial response to what you just wrote was... "wha-- huh?"

;)

[fringed n fab]

My sil's sister and their dad are down and she wanted the family to spend some time on the beach today before they both fly back to Ohio in the morning and we decided on Lido Beach so we all went there and spent the day. The water looked unreal. I spent most of my time taking pics around on the bay side looking up at downtown in the distance.

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/272/021du.jpg


Gulf

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/4873/048izj.jpg


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Walking around to the bay end

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Gulf again

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[fringed n fab]

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[fringed n fab]

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[fringed n fab]

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[vivfox]

As usual your pics are stunning. A warm welcome from someone still suffering the winter blues. More snow is expected this Thursday. The serene photos of the calm ocean, the breathtaking puffy clouded blue sky, the exotic bird on the beach, the sandbar, the water glistening in the sun and the calming sunset. What more could one ask for?

[fringed n fab]

My friend on City Data shared some old photos of the Sarasota area, long before I ever was to live here and it's so different seeing what it was and what it is today more built up. I chuckled at Siesta Key in 1983 and how busy it was then and still is lol. But omgosh it's still so pristine even today. And Marina Jack in the 60's.... too funny. And the plane crash on the beach in 1986 looked scary. Anyway for anyone familiar with this area of Florida, here's some interesting history in photos she shared. I love stuff like this showing things and people of yesteryear.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/sarasota-bradenton-venice-area/1237515-some-old-pictures-sarasota-area.html

[fringed n fab]

I arrived home earlier and looked up and this was greeting me at the door ready to come in at the opportunity :)

I'm always telling you about the spiders and critters that are waiting at the door for when you open it. Just a part of living down here :nod: And as far as I know Mr. Frog is still out there on my door where I left him be. It's a balmy buggy night outside so he's most likely waiting for an easy meal. Natures pest control here.

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/9431/034wo.jpg


http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/2240/035wz.jpg


http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5799/036ll.jpg

[fringed n fab]

Been a little busy here lately but still finding time in between to spend time on the beach/es whenever I can.


http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1404/078hz.jpg


Nokomis Jetty on Casey Key a few days ago looking up at Sarasota and Siesta Key in the distance.

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/6716/071wf.jpg

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They say we have mountains here, you just gotta look up :)

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/318/089ig.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1315/104jd.jpg

[McTrouble]

^

Stunning - always lovely to see :thumbsup:

[vivfox]

^

Stunning - always lovely to see :thumbsup:


I just love his pictures. Everytime I stare at the sun in these photos it almost makes me go blind. Strange how looking at a photo of the sun is just as dangerous as really looking at it outside. I wonder if there has ever been a reported case of someone who went blind from staring too long at the sun?

[BrownEyedGirl26]

I remember watching Steven Fry's America and he called Miami "A Hole" and said that, "It must have a heart and soul but I've yet to find it"! You have proven him wrong because these photos are amazing!:thumbsup:

[fringed n fab]

I just love his pictures. Everytime I stare at the sun in these photos it almost makes me go blind. Strange how looking at a photo of the sun is just as dangerous as really looking at it outside. I wonder if there has ever been a reported case of someone who went blind from staring too long at the sun?

I wear sunglasses at the beach because the reflection off the sand is almost blinding during the day but so pretty. If I'm snapping pics of the sunsets I usually just snap and shoot and not really gaze into them until the sun is setting on the water about to go down. You can't miss that.

[fringed n fab]

Siesta Key

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/5726/184yp.jpg


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[vivfox]

The beauty is amazing. The waters are welcoming.

[fringed n fab]

Thanks guys. I was in Nokomis yesterday at the jetty again and snapped some pics.

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[fringed n fab]

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[louielouie2000]

I love how your sunsets are softly colored pastels. They look like something out of a beach painting! :)

[vivfox]

I love that picture of the shark you captured swimming toward the beach.

[fringed n fab]

Thanks Louie. I don't think my pics ever truly capture the beauty of actually being there in person so I always hope the pics at least turn out ok. Yeah the sunsets here are usually a mix of blue skies and orange- reddish hues in the evening. I loved how the sun as it was setting was a deeper red around the bottom yesterday when it was right on the water... too pretty.

Viv I swam the rest of the day in those waters, where did you seriously see a shark? I've swam in the Gulf for 2 years now and nothing like that rarely comes up near the shoreline. Plus the lifeguards only allow you to swim out so far and they always keep an eye out for things. But yeah, it's the ocean so you always need to be aware in it.

[vivfox]

Viv I swam the rest of the day in those waters, where did you seriously see a shark?

Ha! Just joking. Check out this hottie in the waters though.

[fringed n fab]

Ha! Just joking. Check out this hottie in the waters though.

I was gonna say about the shark... maybe you were seeing the no swim posts sticking up outta the water or something offshore, like some of the beaches have haha. I had to go back through my pics I posted to see if you were serious lol. So gullible. :lol:

Yes Louie's a doll and I love his pics.

[McTrouble]

I do think the pics in your last two posts are the most stunning yet - keep them coming :thumbsup: