Leaving on a jet plane...for Sarasota...

by Sandy E.
(Cleveland, OH)

When we return each winter to the Sarasota area from the Cleveland area the anticipation level is always high.

From the time we board the plane to the time we land, the exhilaration increases the nearer we approach our winter home. Yes, we are snowbirds! The "feeling" of being back in Sarasota begins from take off. But it really kicks into gear when we cross the panhandle and begin to fly over the Gulf of Mexico.

We always get window seats in the plane so we can watch for Tampa Bay and if we're lucky we can see the Sunshine Skyway bridge out our window. Then we know we're getting close to flying over Anna Maria Island. From there we watch for, as the plane descends, Longboat Key, because, then we know we're close to touch down at Sarasota Bradenton airport.

It always seems like the flight takes too long, but once we touch down we know it's just minutes until we're back to our winter home in lovely Sarasota.

After we de-plane, it's just a short walk through the airport to the exit doors. Once we get outside to the warm temperature and hear the lovely birds in the palm trees in the airport parking lot, my husband and I "know we're back in Sarasota." It's a "sensory knowing" as well as a "visual" knowing.

We're "snowbirds" usually until after Easter and love every minute that we have in the Sarasota area. It's truly a relaxing and fun time to spend the winters here and we attend a lot of the outdoor festivals on your events calendar.

John, thanks for the chance to let me tell my story (vibes) about our annual return to our Sarasota "retreat." It's truly a special place for us. And, thank you for a very informative site. You have captured much of the essence of Sarasota and the surrounding area.

We've been coming back every winter now for 7 years and truly enjoy every minute of our extended winter "vacation."

Sandy

P.S. We wish we could be there year-long with you.