Coquina Beach May 27, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Food & Drink, Nature.trackback
A few days ago, we attended the Grand Opening of the refurbished Coquina Beach Cafe. Here’s an artist rendering of the Cafe & Deck by Judy Strom.
The Cafe is located a shell’s throw from the sparkling waters of the Gulf.
While listening to the obligatory (and somewhat self-congratulatory) speeches, we enjoyed complimentary hors d’oeuvres (Shrimp Tempura, Coconut Shrimp, and Greek Salad) on the new ADA compliant deck.
The deck takes advantage of views and ocean breezes off the Gulf of Mexico.
After eating our fill, we wandered down the mile long pathway to the inlet.
Along the way, we spied an Osprey dining al fresco on sushi in a pine tree.
We continued along the path until land and sky collided with the sea.
This bridge connects Anna Maria Island to its sister island, Longboat Key.
A shady path leads to the beach at the southern tip of Anna Maria Island.
Before retracing our steps home, we took one last look at the inlet.
And just beat the storm clouds as they rolled in across the Gulf.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Lights The Way 
That must be the most beautiful place on earth.
It is in my book, Linda. AMI (and the surrounding area) is my most favorite spot on the planet ~ although we’ve had other favorites in the past (Vermont, the coast of Maine, Acadia, Yosemite, Yellowstone, the California coast, the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, Williamsburg, the Rocky Mountains).
It’s a beautiful planet.
We have wonderful weather here, Nancy, but these pictures simply turn me green with unattractive envy 😀 So glad you had a good time, and what a beautiful corner of the world you inhabit…
I’m glad you’re enjoying wonderful weather, Kate. I want you to be green enough with envy to come visit ~ you can combine it with a trip to Charleston to see Andra’s new digs on Cool Blow.
Sounds just wonderful. I just need to win the lottery first, or have Big Al book leap off cybershelves catapaulting me to untold riches. Either would be fine.
Fingers crossed then. 😀
Oh, speaking of being green with envy . . . I’m in the midst of surfing through Season One of Downton Abbey. FABULOUS!!! And YOU’VE been to see it in real life. Lucky duck.
Glad you’re enjoying it. It’s a classic.You must visit and see it yourself in person, Nancy. Complete with Egyptian exhibition. I haven’t been yet- personal life stopped play – I have tickets booked for July 29th. Fingers crossed.
Nice photos; made me want to inhale and exhale the fresh air of the island. I know about those long speeches and waiting for them to over so the hors d’oeuvres can be enjoyed. 🙂
The concessionaire, United Park Services, started serving the food BEFORE the commissioners got up to chat! So the speeches were quite palatable, especially since we agreed with the speakers . . . Coquina is one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida and they did a FAB job with the renovations.
Very nice. Looks like a great place to visit. Or live by!
Yup. It’s both. First we visited. Then we moved here because we couldn’t stand the thought of leaving.
I LOVE the umbrella one with the chairs. I could sit there and stare all day.
And yes, Kate and her brood should definitely come to visit.
Especially if the Cabana Boy comes around periodically to refresh your drink! 😉
Would be cool to have the Shrewsdays do a “puddle jump” to this side of the pond.
it’s such a beautiful part of our planet. Thanks for this glimpse and reminder. it’s been ten+ years since I was down your way.
Glad you enjoyed the visit, Joss. I can imagine that you’ll be awestruck at the sights in Europe ~ France, Switzerland, Italy. Wow! You’re never going to want to come home.
It looks really beautiful Nancy
It’s a slice of paradise for me, Sidey. This is where I’ve always wanted to be.
That is wonderful
Nancy, You are definitely leading the good life. What a great way to spend a few hours.
I agree, NC. AMI is “intimate” . . . it’s easy to keep up with “what’s up” via the island papers ~ the AMI Sun and the Islander.
What a beautiful place and great photos.
Thanks, Granny. I have a “point and shoot” I keep in my purse ~ the credit for most of my photos goes to Mother Nature. 😉
Love those clouds! Sounds like a perfect day to me! Really does! Debra
The clouds that day held my attention ~ blue skies gave way to enormous banks of cottony clouds illuminated on top by the sun while dark underbellies presaged rain.
It looks like a really beautiful place Nancy, and sounds like you had the most perfect day there before the storm-clouds appeared.
We almost didn’t go for fear of long boring speeches ~ we’re glad we mustered our courage.
Summer here goes hand-in-hand with afternoon showers of short duration and great intensity ~ a great way to clear the air. 😀
Yes, I remember those afternoon showers when we lived there – regular as clockwork!
That’s right, you lived here. Are you still coming over for a visit to Inverness? We’d love to meet up with you in Dunedin.
Idyllic – I’m trying to imagine that summer warmth as I sit here, gas heater on, rugged up in my thermals and Ugh boots 🙂
I understand the “turning of the wheel” far better now that I have blogging buddies around the globe. We warm up, you cool down. You warm up, we cool down.
Before blogging, I envisioned that Australia and New Zealand provided year round warmth to its inhabitants . . . no thermals, Ugh boots, or gas heat required. Stay warm.
I used to work for an architectural firm, so I always love to ‘see me some renderings’, Nancy! Very cool! And not too shabby on the view(s), either!
AND great photos! I particularly like the clouds! Wonderful!
🙂
Thanks, Bob. I love Judy’s work . . . just a hint of this and that sketched in, without micro-managing the landscape.
Wow! Stunning photos!
Thanks, Tok. It’s a beautiful place to capture in photos.
Yeah, that’ll do lol
It will, won’t it? 😀
So pretty! It reminds me of Maui (I think I left my heart there :)) I can see why you would enjoy this place, but those storm clouds do look ominous.
I’ve never been to Hawaii, but some of my sister’s photos from her trip there remind me of here. We’ve had some interesting storms since we moved here . . . but nothing too scary. 😯
Gorgeous so much blue!
The palette here is brilliant blues, greens, and in betweens.
This looks like a wonderful place. The pictures are awesome!
Thanks, grandawn. This is a great place to just “point and shoot” ~ lots of nature to capture.
Very nicely done! I want to be there, and I don’t even really like the idea of Florida!!
It’s not everybody’s cup of Pina Colada . . . but it suits us to a “tea.” 😀
Beautiful… They should do well with this venture. 😉
The county owns the beaches and takes bids for concessionaires. It’s a win for all concerned . . . including beach goers.
I have a feeling living in Florida is similar to living in Southern California. You always have this feeling you’re somehow on vacation every day because of the beautiful weather and sights.
Yes! Exactly so. It is possible to get out and enjoy the great outdoors almost every day of the year . . . without donning hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, boots, parkas, and snowshoes. 😀
i could so imagine being there. lovely!
Thanks, Kris. It’s a beautiful slice of the planet.
Hi!
My name is Jane and I’m with Dwellable.
I was looking for blog posts about Coquina Beach to share on our site and I came across your post…If you’re open to it, shoot me an email at jane(at)dwellable(dot)com.
Hope to hear from you 🙂
Jane
Can you shoot me a link showing how Dwellable links back to blog posts? Or do you re-post them in their entirety?
If the latter, someone would need to contact Judy Strom for permission to use her artwork on Dwellable. The rest of the photos are mine.