Mike Jones
<font color=993300>....nothing clever to say... ju
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2003
- Messages
- 1,372
The Cast:
Mike, 39, chief organiser, driver and brew maker
Heather, 40, wife and mum
Bethany, 11 (going on 20!), coaster addict, hates getting wet.
Adam, 9, (going on 8!), hates coasters (except BTMRR), LOVES getting wet!
DAY 10 SATURDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2003
TRANSFER TO SIESTA KEY, NR.SARASOTA
Up at 600am, alone, and made coffee. Read on the lanai for ½ hour before waking the rest of them at 630. Everyone showered and then packed. There was no stress about the packing, as it didnt need to be pretty all we had to do was empty the villa into the back of the spacious, 7-seater Dodge and wed cracked it. Everything was progressing smoothly, it was sunny and warming up nicely outside, and Id just backed the car into the garage for loading when Adam decided it was all going too easily.
Almost every door in the villa has a locking mechanism set into the handle on the inside. All the bathrooms and bedrooms have them for privacy. Well, wed got along for 9 days without any problems to be honest, Im not sure we even used them before. Adam obviously wondered if you could manipulate the lock from the outside. He set the lock inside the kids bathroom and then exited, closing the door behind him. Guess what? The lock works swell when operated in this manner. Yep, thats a locked door, son. Well done. Open it, son? Sorry, Adam, not sure that I can. You see, son, the *%@#&£ thing works from the inside, and I cant squeeze under the door. I might try squeezing YOU under the door if I cant get it open soon, though!
I dismantled the lock on another, open door to see if there was any clue to this dilemma. Decided that there was not. I jiggled the handle furiously for 10 minutes or so, hoping to shake it loose. Nope. The only two possibilities left that I could see were: 1. to try and slide a flexible piece of very thin but strong steel (like, perhaps, those packing case straps you used to see holding bricks on pallets) between the rebated frame and the door bolt but I didnt have anything like that about me or, 2. to smash the door down and lose my deposit. In the end I found a variation on option 1. which was to destroy my precious La Nouba ticket (souvenir from the show last trip) by manipulating it into the door rebate and releasing the lock.
Following Adams impromptu cabaret, we finish chucking our gear into the van (dont forget the beer!) and are ready for the off at 9:30. Mixed feelings really we are looking forward to Siesta Key and a change of scenery, but are sad to leave the villa. Weve had a lovely Christmas in Orlando, and the villa has been a significant factor. With the possible exception of the luxury Disney Hotels, wed not want to stay anywhere other than Indian Creek on future visits.
Its a lovely, sunny morning now, and the next hour or so is spent tootling along the I4, singing to 1980s rock music on various radio stations. Anyone whos travelled this road recently will be aware that virtually the whole 50 miles seems to be under reconstruction. However, we encounter no problems and are soon passing through the outskirts of Tampa. The quickest route to Sarasota would be down the I75 but we are not pressed for time (we cant get in the apartment until 4pm, officially) and want to take the scenic route. We join the 275 to cross Tampa Bay (on the Howard something-or-other bridge, not the Skyway, thats later!). We travel south, towards St. Petes Beach, and on impulse bear left to an area called Pass-a-grille anywhere with a name that silly bears further inspection!
Its worth the effort! We pass through a pleasant, residential area with low-level buildings, palm fringed streets and sea or harbour/marina views up the streets on both sides. Parking on the beach side, we walk back into the streets looking for a lunch venue and restrooms! We pass a few small cafes before coming across The Sea Horse Restaurant on the marina side. Although its only 11:50am, the car spaces in front are full and we can see that most tables inside and on the patio are taken. A good sign. We enter and are seated immediately. The interior is cosy and bright, with lots of exposed wood. There are booths for 4 people around a central bar. We order sodas and the kids ask for chicken tenders w/fries. Heather has a Veggie Melt w/fries and I have a Smoky Melt. The food is fine and costs around $30.
We walk across the road to get a closer look at the pelicans perched on the quay and floating in the water. On return to the car we have a quick look at the beach, which is very clean, white sand and stretches quite a way into the distance (presumably north to St. Petes Beach area). Its hot now, and we are not really equipped for serious beach-bumming, so its back into the car and return to the 275. Continuing south leads directly to The Skyway an elevated carriageway that rises to an impressive suspension bridge in the centre of its length. The views are good, if somewhat hazy in the distance. We have chosen to take a route down to Sarasota along the islands off its western coast, so we cross to Anna Marie Island before reaching Longboat Key and finally Lido Key, before returning to the mainland at downtown Sarasota. This island hopping is very pleasant and gives us a flavour of what we expect to find at our destination: understated buildings, some delightfully shabby, but most just simple, un-assuming houses and apartments. There are few large hotels or condos. We are within sight of the sea or harbour inlets for most of the journey. The final, small island, Lido Key is really focused on St Armands Circle, an upmarket shopping area of quality bars, restaurants and retail outlets. There are lots of people promenading here and we move slowly through to cross back over to the mainland. According to the map, we should only need to go a few miles south now before the turning to Siesta Key. So it proves, and at about 245pm we turn onto Siesta Drive and cross the wide bridge onto the island. The journey to the apartments takes little extra time, passing through Siesta Key Village on the way, with a reasonable spread of shops, bars and restaurants. First impressions as we turn into the courtyard at Siesta Key Suites Seaspray Apartments are ok a modest collection of one and two storey buildings painted white or pink! The owner, Paige, is there and tells us that our apartment (Elephant) is ready. She is very helpful and gives us lots of interesting advice. We ask about the location of The Broken Egg (which we have been told is the best breakfast restaurant on the island) and Paige gives directions. She also tells us about Drumdown which occurs every Sunday at sunset on the main beach more tomorrow! We chat a while, collect various maps and guides from the little office and walk round the corner to our apartment. We have the ground floor of this building, which provides us with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The slightly smaller flat above (Clown) is 2 beds/1 bath. The interior is comfortable rather than luxurious, but clean and airy. There is a good-sized living/dining area opening from the kitchen. Both bedrooms are spacious and ours has an en-suite bathroom. The second bathroom is off the lounge. I am pleased that our bed is queen sized again! The kids have two singles in their room, and patio doors opening directly onto the main pool area. We discover that there are two other pools, but ours, the nearest, is the only heated one. There are a couple of attractive gazebos here, too, and we adopt the one adjacent to our apartment for most of our visit. Paige has shown us where to find the small laundry (you certainly miss not having your own washer etc after the villa!) and directs us to make full use of the complexs stock of beach-chairs, umbrellas, toys etc when we go across to the beach.
We unpack quickly and walk across the road to the beach access point. The road is not at all busy I had harboured some small concern that it might be like the nightmare, coastal roads in Spain and Portugal! There are several of these access points along the island (ours was no. 9). The path led between attractive beachside houses through a vegetated area (grasses etc) of about 50 metres or so, before opening onto the beach proper. Beautiful! Stunning, almost pure-white sand (supposedly 99% quartz) with grain size like icing sugar. The area washed by the tide packs very dense and is superb for walking, jogging and cycling on. People were doing all three in both directions! Right (north) leads to the back of Siesta Village (0.5 mile approx) and left (south) to Siesta Key Public Beach (0.5 mile) where the beach widens considerably (its about 100 metres near the apartment and twice that at the Public Beach bit) with lifeguard stations, volleyball courts, play area, large car-park and concessions.
We take in the aspects for a minute or two, admiring the speedboats out to sea and then return to the road (at this stage we dont actually know that you can get off the beach in the Village) to head towards the village shops etc. The houses and small apartment blocks on both sides give way to a few bars, restaurants and shops. There are various side roads with more of the same, but it is easy on the eye and ear. Plenty of people about, but not crowded. We find that we are through the village in a matter of a few hundred metres and turn back. My cold/allergy is still a pain, so we call in at a drug store to get anti-histamines. The girl serving us is very friendly and admires my Heather ring. Adam buys a pool toy ( weighted dart for chucking!). Were hungry now (its about 5pm) and we choose a venue for dinner. Napolis Pizza restaurant looks ok, with an open front veranda onto the pavement. We are seated without delay. Kids get cokes, Heather and I have a pitcher of Siesta Lite you have to support the local plonk, dont you?! I order Shrimp al Pesto, Heather has Chicken Cacciatore (both served with linguine). Beth has pizza, and Adam meatballs with spaghetti.
Mine is excellent Heathers just ok. The kids dont care! It goes dark while we are eating and the lighting on the street and passing cars is pleasant. Its still very warm. We order coffee and the server comes to top up the kids drinks. These are served in tall, polystyrene cups, and as he refills Adams, it pours straight through and all over the floor! The waiter responds promptly and rushes onto the pavement while the rest empties into the gutter. Adam, God bless his little cotton socks, has carved a hole in the bottom of the cup with his straw. Thanks, son. Thats two new acts for your show today! Self-locking doors and trick cups what next? The waiter is very understanding and brings Adam a new cup. I resist the temptation to empty it over his head and we ask for the check. It comes to $60 with tip. As we get up to leave, I am sure that a mozzi has had a nibble at me. It turns out to be the only incident this trip, but at the time I wonder whether we will be eaten every night!
We head back to the apartment via the Village Supermarket nearby. We get essentials like milk and pancakes for breakfasts and I pick up some cigars. Were ok for beer at present. The walk takes only 10 minutes or so and we arrive back at the apartment by 7:00. The kids check the TV (only one here, in the living area) and are annoyed to find that the channels are different than Orlandos. They soon sort it out and we tolerate their channel surfing while we have a beer. (Beer may feature more in this weeks reports, as I can walk to dinner now!)(Heather isnt fond of driving in Florida, so I normally have to remain on the wagon(ish, I know Ive had the odd one at WDW!) when we drive out to eat!)
I think that the beer and the antihistamines are playing nice now, as I am feeling VERY sleepy! I head off to bed around 8:30, but dont get off properly until the kids and Heather follow at about 9:30.
Apart from my sneezing fits it has been a good day and a promising start to our Gulf week. The area is different to my expectations not worse or better, just different, more normal if that makes any sense. I think Id expected island life to be something like Miami Vice, but everyone weve seen and spoken to today are relaxed and friendly, with no edges.
Tomorrow: Broken Egg Breakfast, Beach & Daiquiri Deck reggae band, Drumdown sunset!
Mike
Mike, 39, chief organiser, driver and brew maker
Heather, 40, wife and mum
Bethany, 11 (going on 20!), coaster addict, hates getting wet.
Adam, 9, (going on 8!), hates coasters (except BTMRR), LOVES getting wet!
DAY 10 SATURDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2003
TRANSFER TO SIESTA KEY, NR.SARASOTA
Up at 600am, alone, and made coffee. Read on the lanai for ½ hour before waking the rest of them at 630. Everyone showered and then packed. There was no stress about the packing, as it didnt need to be pretty all we had to do was empty the villa into the back of the spacious, 7-seater Dodge and wed cracked it. Everything was progressing smoothly, it was sunny and warming up nicely outside, and Id just backed the car into the garage for loading when Adam decided it was all going too easily.
Almost every door in the villa has a locking mechanism set into the handle on the inside. All the bathrooms and bedrooms have them for privacy. Well, wed got along for 9 days without any problems to be honest, Im not sure we even used them before. Adam obviously wondered if you could manipulate the lock from the outside. He set the lock inside the kids bathroom and then exited, closing the door behind him. Guess what? The lock works swell when operated in this manner. Yep, thats a locked door, son. Well done. Open it, son? Sorry, Adam, not sure that I can. You see, son, the *%@#&£ thing works from the inside, and I cant squeeze under the door. I might try squeezing YOU under the door if I cant get it open soon, though!
I dismantled the lock on another, open door to see if there was any clue to this dilemma. Decided that there was not. I jiggled the handle furiously for 10 minutes or so, hoping to shake it loose. Nope. The only two possibilities left that I could see were: 1. to try and slide a flexible piece of very thin but strong steel (like, perhaps, those packing case straps you used to see holding bricks on pallets) between the rebated frame and the door bolt but I didnt have anything like that about me or, 2. to smash the door down and lose my deposit. In the end I found a variation on option 1. which was to destroy my precious La Nouba ticket (souvenir from the show last trip) by manipulating it into the door rebate and releasing the lock.
Following Adams impromptu cabaret, we finish chucking our gear into the van (dont forget the beer!) and are ready for the off at 9:30. Mixed feelings really we are looking forward to Siesta Key and a change of scenery, but are sad to leave the villa. Weve had a lovely Christmas in Orlando, and the villa has been a significant factor. With the possible exception of the luxury Disney Hotels, wed not want to stay anywhere other than Indian Creek on future visits.
Its a lovely, sunny morning now, and the next hour or so is spent tootling along the I4, singing to 1980s rock music on various radio stations. Anyone whos travelled this road recently will be aware that virtually the whole 50 miles seems to be under reconstruction. However, we encounter no problems and are soon passing through the outskirts of Tampa. The quickest route to Sarasota would be down the I75 but we are not pressed for time (we cant get in the apartment until 4pm, officially) and want to take the scenic route. We join the 275 to cross Tampa Bay (on the Howard something-or-other bridge, not the Skyway, thats later!). We travel south, towards St. Petes Beach, and on impulse bear left to an area called Pass-a-grille anywhere with a name that silly bears further inspection!
Its worth the effort! We pass through a pleasant, residential area with low-level buildings, palm fringed streets and sea or harbour/marina views up the streets on both sides. Parking on the beach side, we walk back into the streets looking for a lunch venue and restrooms! We pass a few small cafes before coming across The Sea Horse Restaurant on the marina side. Although its only 11:50am, the car spaces in front are full and we can see that most tables inside and on the patio are taken. A good sign. We enter and are seated immediately. The interior is cosy and bright, with lots of exposed wood. There are booths for 4 people around a central bar. We order sodas and the kids ask for chicken tenders w/fries. Heather has a Veggie Melt w/fries and I have a Smoky Melt. The food is fine and costs around $30.
We walk across the road to get a closer look at the pelicans perched on the quay and floating in the water. On return to the car we have a quick look at the beach, which is very clean, white sand and stretches quite a way into the distance (presumably north to St. Petes Beach area). Its hot now, and we are not really equipped for serious beach-bumming, so its back into the car and return to the 275. Continuing south leads directly to The Skyway an elevated carriageway that rises to an impressive suspension bridge in the centre of its length. The views are good, if somewhat hazy in the distance. We have chosen to take a route down to Sarasota along the islands off its western coast, so we cross to Anna Marie Island before reaching Longboat Key and finally Lido Key, before returning to the mainland at downtown Sarasota. This island hopping is very pleasant and gives us a flavour of what we expect to find at our destination: understated buildings, some delightfully shabby, but most just simple, un-assuming houses and apartments. There are few large hotels or condos. We are within sight of the sea or harbour inlets for most of the journey. The final, small island, Lido Key is really focused on St Armands Circle, an upmarket shopping area of quality bars, restaurants and retail outlets. There are lots of people promenading here and we move slowly through to cross back over to the mainland. According to the map, we should only need to go a few miles south now before the turning to Siesta Key. So it proves, and at about 245pm we turn onto Siesta Drive and cross the wide bridge onto the island. The journey to the apartments takes little extra time, passing through Siesta Key Village on the way, with a reasonable spread of shops, bars and restaurants. First impressions as we turn into the courtyard at Siesta Key Suites Seaspray Apartments are ok a modest collection of one and two storey buildings painted white or pink! The owner, Paige, is there and tells us that our apartment (Elephant) is ready. She is very helpful and gives us lots of interesting advice. We ask about the location of The Broken Egg (which we have been told is the best breakfast restaurant on the island) and Paige gives directions. She also tells us about Drumdown which occurs every Sunday at sunset on the main beach more tomorrow! We chat a while, collect various maps and guides from the little office and walk round the corner to our apartment. We have the ground floor of this building, which provides us with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The slightly smaller flat above (Clown) is 2 beds/1 bath. The interior is comfortable rather than luxurious, but clean and airy. There is a good-sized living/dining area opening from the kitchen. Both bedrooms are spacious and ours has an en-suite bathroom. The second bathroom is off the lounge. I am pleased that our bed is queen sized again! The kids have two singles in their room, and patio doors opening directly onto the main pool area. We discover that there are two other pools, but ours, the nearest, is the only heated one. There are a couple of attractive gazebos here, too, and we adopt the one adjacent to our apartment for most of our visit. Paige has shown us where to find the small laundry (you certainly miss not having your own washer etc after the villa!) and directs us to make full use of the complexs stock of beach-chairs, umbrellas, toys etc when we go across to the beach.
We unpack quickly and walk across the road to the beach access point. The road is not at all busy I had harboured some small concern that it might be like the nightmare, coastal roads in Spain and Portugal! There are several of these access points along the island (ours was no. 9). The path led between attractive beachside houses through a vegetated area (grasses etc) of about 50 metres or so, before opening onto the beach proper. Beautiful! Stunning, almost pure-white sand (supposedly 99% quartz) with grain size like icing sugar. The area washed by the tide packs very dense and is superb for walking, jogging and cycling on. People were doing all three in both directions! Right (north) leads to the back of Siesta Village (0.5 mile approx) and left (south) to Siesta Key Public Beach (0.5 mile) where the beach widens considerably (its about 100 metres near the apartment and twice that at the Public Beach bit) with lifeguard stations, volleyball courts, play area, large car-park and concessions.
We take in the aspects for a minute or two, admiring the speedboats out to sea and then return to the road (at this stage we dont actually know that you can get off the beach in the Village) to head towards the village shops etc. The houses and small apartment blocks on both sides give way to a few bars, restaurants and shops. There are various side roads with more of the same, but it is easy on the eye and ear. Plenty of people about, but not crowded. We find that we are through the village in a matter of a few hundred metres and turn back. My cold/allergy is still a pain, so we call in at a drug store to get anti-histamines. The girl serving us is very friendly and admires my Heather ring. Adam buys a pool toy ( weighted dart for chucking!). Were hungry now (its about 5pm) and we choose a venue for dinner. Napolis Pizza restaurant looks ok, with an open front veranda onto the pavement. We are seated without delay. Kids get cokes, Heather and I have a pitcher of Siesta Lite you have to support the local plonk, dont you?! I order Shrimp al Pesto, Heather has Chicken Cacciatore (both served with linguine). Beth has pizza, and Adam meatballs with spaghetti.
Mine is excellent Heathers just ok. The kids dont care! It goes dark while we are eating and the lighting on the street and passing cars is pleasant. Its still very warm. We order coffee and the server comes to top up the kids drinks. These are served in tall, polystyrene cups, and as he refills Adams, it pours straight through and all over the floor! The waiter responds promptly and rushes onto the pavement while the rest empties into the gutter. Adam, God bless his little cotton socks, has carved a hole in the bottom of the cup with his straw. Thanks, son. Thats two new acts for your show today! Self-locking doors and trick cups what next? The waiter is very understanding and brings Adam a new cup. I resist the temptation to empty it over his head and we ask for the check. It comes to $60 with tip. As we get up to leave, I am sure that a mozzi has had a nibble at me. It turns out to be the only incident this trip, but at the time I wonder whether we will be eaten every night!
We head back to the apartment via the Village Supermarket nearby. We get essentials like milk and pancakes for breakfasts and I pick up some cigars. Were ok for beer at present. The walk takes only 10 minutes or so and we arrive back at the apartment by 7:00. The kids check the TV (only one here, in the living area) and are annoyed to find that the channels are different than Orlandos. They soon sort it out and we tolerate their channel surfing while we have a beer. (Beer may feature more in this weeks reports, as I can walk to dinner now!)(Heather isnt fond of driving in Florida, so I normally have to remain on the wagon(ish, I know Ive had the odd one at WDW!) when we drive out to eat!)
I think that the beer and the antihistamines are playing nice now, as I am feeling VERY sleepy! I head off to bed around 8:30, but dont get off properly until the kids and Heather follow at about 9:30.
Apart from my sneezing fits it has been a good day and a promising start to our Gulf week. The area is different to my expectations not worse or better, just different, more normal if that makes any sense. I think Id expected island life to be something like Miami Vice, but everyone weve seen and spoken to today are relaxed and friendly, with no edges.
Tomorrow: Broken Egg Breakfast, Beach & Daiquiri Deck reggae band, Drumdown sunset!
Mike
