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I came here to escape winter's
embrace, cold fingers gripping and slicing at me. I yearned for
pristine white sand at my feet, waves rolling in and castles built
in their wake. But I found something else. Inspiration in the
theatre, the ballet, and even the circus. An escape in every bite,
a new thrill every day,
and friends along every turn. Flying home it hit me. I came here
for a great seaside vacation and I found it, beyond the
beaches. |
Sarasota is for old retirees, right? When this beautiful Gulf
Coast beach area wanted to attract a different kind of tourist - a
wealthier, younger kind that would spend their time (and money) in
places other than the beach- we said "no problem" and went out to
shoot the area in a new light. Through beautiful images and poetic
language we painted the picture of what a Sarasota vacation could
be like, beyond the beaches.
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We went out after breakfast for a new
shovel and pail. Next door at the ice cream counter the clerk knew
us by name, and we treated ourselves to a mid-morning milkshake. We
took the long way back and made friends in the park. Afternoon came
around, and with it the circus, acrobats, and clowns. Sailboats
coming into shore reminded us of our mission. Flip-flops in hand,
we ran down to the water. As we stood, 12 hours later, toes buried
in warm, white sands watching the sunset over the Gulf, I smiled,
knowing that even though we came for the sandcastles, we had the
time of our lives playing in the city beyond the beaches. |
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The evening settles the activities of
the day. It's been one for the books. Unrushed, unworried. Just
like it was in the beginning. Walking through the city, sailing for
a spell, wandering the museum for hours, till the dimming of the
lights and a rumbling in our bellies gently ushered us out, back
into the ether where the sun sets over the Gulf and a corner table
and a bottle of wine lay waiting to welcome us back. And though we
came here for the white sands, we found even more to love in the
world that exists beyond the beaches. |
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The sunset made the waves glow golden
as we stood there face to face, hand and hand promising to remain
that way forever. A white dress, white sand, and a white car
transported us to town. Friendly faces congratulated us. Drinks
were poured in our honor. We ate the best meal of our lives, or at
least it seemed that way. And just when we thought it would end, It
didn't. All the next day we spent indulging in many luxuries,
including ourselves. And when we returned home we realized that
though we came for a wedding by the sea, we found so much more to
do together beyond the beaches |
