The end of another perfect day on Anna Maria Island! We are now experiencing afternoon showers which are typical for summer. Because of clouds left hanging in the sky following the rain, we get some really spectacular sunsets. This one was no exception! It is very satisfying to capture such photos but even better sharing the sunsets! Please, enjoy another sunset on Anna Maria Island or plan a trip here and see for yourself!

Written by Melinda Bordes ~ 941-705-0146 ~ Feel free to call so I can assist you with all of your real estate needs whether buying or selling!

   Welcome to another sunset on Anna Maria Island where one is as awesome as the next! It is amazing how each night can prove to be so different with the colors that stroke the sky. You should never leave your camera at home and you need to schedule your dinner so you will have time to make it out for the sunset. Or even better, have dinner at the Sandbar Restaurant and join the masses who come out to watch the sun kiss the gulf and slowly disappear leaving the sky on fire with colors of orange to fucia and every color in-between. It is worth your visit to Anna Maria Island just to experience one of our amazing sunsets!                                                                                              

  So what is appearing in this picture? It was not there when we shot this photo!

 A helpful hand to Mr. Sun!                      

One last frolic in the gulf before the sun sets!         

The vows have been said!                

Friends gather for the countdown of the sunset!

Written by Melinda Bordes ~ 941-705-0146 ~ Feel free to call me whether you may be listing or selling! I can help you with all of your real estate needs!   

Our American flag at Sunset! What a beautiful sight!

This is my pick for “Sunset of the Week” on Anna Maria Island! The setting sun provides the back lighting for the clouds and the sky is on fire with all of the colors of the sunset!

This is the time we remember all who have served to protect our beloved country and especially those who have fallen in the line of duty. So we raise our flag in honor of all the men, women and children who have been the one to serve or have a loved one who has gone out to protect the freedom  we hold so dear. God bless America, and to all of those visiting Anna Maria Island please, enjoy the sunset!

Written by Melinda Bordes ~ 941-705-0146 ~ Feel free to call with all of your real estate needs, whether buying or selling!    

I would love for everyone to think I am a cool surfer dude and all this advanced information came from my vast knowledge of surfing.  Unfortunately, I have to give credit to a surfer web site that gives more details on the characteristics of surfing just off White avenue in Anna Maria City.   WannaSurf.com…yup, the surfing on Anna Maria is a big enough deal to get discussed on surfing websites.  The website discusses surf and wave quality, tide, swell and wind characteristics, as well as any dangers.  The web site tells you the name of the contributor as well as (4) other individuals that added information and actually surfed Anna Maria Island.  Take a look, if this website does not give you the information needed, then you will just have to come to the island to experience it yourself…

 
Caption:  Invisible Surfer on Anna Maria Island

      Striped Sunset ~ Sunset of the Week!                                     

These two are probably there to catch a sunset while catching a fish!

     The sea oats are there to hold our sand in place but also frame a sunset!

      Take off your shoes and stay awhile, especially to see a sunset!  

Little Angel collecting seaweed at sunset on Anna Maria Island!

 Sheron and Ginny taking a sunset walk for their health and mostly pleasure!

Two cousins, Taylor and Janey, on a “girl’s trip” who just happen to be my grandkids!

This week has been no exception to spectacular sunsets night after night on Anna Maria Island. With a clip of a cold front, which only meant lower humidity and superb weather, it was the perfect atmoshere for soaking up a sunset on Florida’s Gulf Coast. If you have never visited our Island then you may find it difficult to comprehend the white sugar sand and azure waters that we experience on a daily basis in this tropical paradise.  My clients who come from all over the world are truly amazed at how kind and friendly everyone is as they come to know Anna Maria. The truth is that when you live in such a gentle, peaceful place as this, it soon begins to rub off on you almost like a drug. It soothes, yet inspires you to dream or maybe just forget while you are here that there is that other world and “stuff” that we face day to day. So swinging in a hammock feeling the cool Gulf breezes is part of our reality. Come and join us and please, enjoy the sunset!  

 ~  Thanks to Duff for sharing his sunset taken from his boat on the intra-coastal waterway facing west. Feel free to share you best sunsets!

Written by Melinda Bordes ~ 941-705-0146 ~ who is here to help you with all of your real estate needs whether buying or selling!

Some more organized activities include beach volleyball.  If you can assemble a team from your own friends and family I would suggest visiting the public beach at the end of Manatee Avenue or route 64.  The Manatee public beach normally has (2) volleyball courts up at all times.  Sometimes you can pick up a game along the beach and your chances are a little better at the Anna Maria City beach just off the Sandbar restaurant or the Bradenton Beach just off the Beach House restaurant.

At the Anna Maria Public beach at the end of Manatee Avenue (State Road 64) a playground can be found on the North side of the beach.  The playground is directly on the beach and contains swings, a wall to climb, ladder, a larger straight slide as well as two toddler slides, and the normal accessories most modular playgrounds offer.  This playground can be busy all week long as mainland locals use this playground very often as well as families that want a combined day at the beach and playground.  There are a few benches that parents can use to sit and relax however an inexpensive beach chair located close to the playground can work best.  For a bite to eat walk to the “block” house located at the public beach to get drinks and hot dog meals etc.  There is also a small gift shop located at the Manatee Public Beach.

One of the more popular beaches on Anna Maria Island is the Manatee Public Beach located in Holmes Beach.  It allows for very easy access since it is at the end of Manatee Avenue (State Road 64) which is one of three access points to the island.  Its located at 40th street and Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach.  The Public Beach boasts a very large FREE parking area that handles 120 parking spots however there are plenty of times that the parking is not adequate for the demand.   There is a trolley stop at the public beach.  Amenities at the public beach are bountiful, a pier, lifeguards, showers, volleyball courts, playground, swings, slides, gift shop, bathrooms, comfort foods, covered eating area with picnic tables, and plenty of sand.  It’s a great place to spend an afternoon people watching or just relaxing at the beach with your family.  The public beach is officially 900 feet in width although its difficult for even locals to see where the park really ends since the entire island has public beaches.  Within a walk to the beach is a popular restaurant called Skinny’s that serves alcoholic drinks and concessions.  Bring plenty of water and some snacks for children as the heat can quickly take its toll on active children.  For more information call Manatee County Parks and Recreation Department at (941) 742-5923.

Enjoy the Sunset and Happy Mother’s Day !  

 Even Steve Stewart from our local Sheriff’s department from the city of Anna Maria was able to mix business with pleasure and enjoy the sunset as he maintained our “safe haven”! Steve sends a special “Happy Mother’s Day” to his mom.

 Cheryl and Lori from Youngstown, Ohio watched in amazement as the sun was setting and creating such depth of color along the way! 

Meet Stacy and her Mom from Bradenton, FL who brought a tent to sunset gaze and Randy Marlow (not pictured) to assemble the tent!

 Vickie and Valerie, mother and daughter, from Northern Alabama were knee deep in sand dollars as they stopped long enough to see the sun dipping into the clouds!

 A special hello to the Lindsay Family who gathered to catch the sunset. The matriarch is at the top of the steps (left)!

My hat’s off to all of the mothers visiting or living on Anna Maria Island. Sunday is such a special occasion because today is the day we honor our mothers. No matter what the circumstance, everyone has one! So to each and every mom out there this is your day. This is truly the most difficult profession known to man but by far the most rewarding (if you can call it that!).  Even at sunset, I am able to see the role of “mother” played out in families visiting Anna Maria Island.

Written by Melinda Bordes ~ 941-705-0146 ~ I am here to assist you with any real estate needs you may have on Anna Maria Island!

SURFING OR WAKE BOARDING: That’s right I said surfing.  White Avenue in Anna Maria City is fairly well known by locals to provide the best surfing in the area.  The floor of the Gulf of Mexico offers very favorable surfing conditions.  By no means is the surf world class but on rough days all levels of surfers can be found on the beach and White Avenue becomes a hub of activity for Anna Maria.  Parking can be found at the end of White Avenue and a quick 4-6 minute walk gets you to the beach in flip flops.  If your timing is really good you may get lucky enough to take part in a children’s surfing class.  I have attached pictures of a surfing class that took part on White Avenue’s beach after about 2 straight days of above average surf in late July.  Of course wake boarding can be good fun for all ages regardless of how high the surf is. 

If you are an experienced surfer this link should help a bit more….