Beautiful piece and timely for the Johnson's since we've been thinking of visiting there in March. I'm going to send this to my wife. It will be a kind of visual guidebook.
Great essay, editorially and visually. I haven’t been to Florida to photograph in more than decade, but this sure reminds of places i visited. And i am also reminded of WARM as it dumps 2’ snow this week. I would like to start packing bag now. Camera that is.
Come on down, there’s no better time than now. And thanks for reading and commenting. If you enjoy the photography and writing, then that definitely says a lot. Thank you so much.
Great article Lara, as always. Glad to hear that Anna Maria Island hasn’t been overdeveloped and still maintains the old Florida feel. We used to visit it frequently in the mid 80’s when we lived in Seminole and always enjoyed our visits.
Thanks Tony. I appreciate that you read and commented on the article. I think it actually is a bit overdeveloped, to be honest. But it was our first time there, so to us we didn’t see any different because we never experienced the old Anna Maria Island. However, it still has the character I think that everybody claims to love about it and it feels very safe. All in all still a wonderful place.
Lol! My grandmother lived in Clewiston! I spent many weeks in the summers there as a kid. The only other time I've seen it mentioned in writing is one line in a Stephen King novel (The Stand, I think).
Erik: thanks for reading and commenting 😃 I love driving through these old towns in Florida. I feel like they’re on the verge of being discovered somehow, but maintaining their way life so far in a bit of a time warp. Labelle is close by to Clewiston, and I just found out they have a Sable palm festival the end of February, and I’m super excited about that.
It's been many years since I've been down that way. Last time it looked like Clewiston was getting 'discovered' but sports fishermen going out onto Lake Okeechobee.
Yes, perhaps they will luck out and stay undiscovered and quiet. But I feel like Florida is slowly, but surely, turning into some sort of gathering Mecca for everywhere in the world, and just more places are being encroached. We shall see.
Anna Maria is my fave beach town. Used to go there in the 90's and stay at a Mom and Pop motel with our dogs. If you think it's laid back now, you should have seen it then.
Hey Fred, thanks for reading and commenting. I can only imagine how it was back then. We went last week when it was somewhat chilly, so I’m assuming that kept a bit of the crowds away. Of course I am from the east coast and over here everything is Overdeveloped and at times a bit pretentious, depending on where you go. However, I really enjoyed the island. It was my first time, despite living in the Sarasota area for two years. I believe it has managed to maintain the old Florida vibe while also keeping up with the times.
Beautiful piece and timely for the Johnson's since we've been thinking of visiting there in March. I'm going to send this to my wife. It will be a kind of visual guidebook.
You must go! The hotel we stayed at was excellent. Highly recommend and rent a golf cart because driving a car is pointless and not as fun.
Great essay, editorially and visually. I haven’t been to Florida to photograph in more than decade, but this sure reminds of places i visited. And i am also reminded of WARM as it dumps 2’ snow this week. I would like to start packing bag now. Camera that is.
Come on down, there’s no better time than now. And thanks for reading and commenting. If you enjoy the photography and writing, then that definitely says a lot. Thank you so much.
We are getting out of here in the spring, just don't where. 2' snow this week.
Brrrrrr!!!!! That's cold. We are in high 60s and 70s here.
One day I will take my wife, it does sound lovely, simple, peaceful.
Hi Weston: You absolutely will not be disappointed. A gem of a place.
Great article Lara, as always. Glad to hear that Anna Maria Island hasn’t been overdeveloped and still maintains the old Florida feel. We used to visit it frequently in the mid 80’s when we lived in Seminole and always enjoyed our visits.
Well done Lara!
Thanks Tony. I appreciate that you read and commented on the article. I think it actually is a bit overdeveloped, to be honest. But it was our first time there, so to us we didn’t see any different because we never experienced the old Anna Maria Island. However, it still has the character I think that everybody claims to love about it and it feels very safe. All in all still a wonderful place.
I’m glad to hear that Lara. I’ll have to visit it again one of these days.
For sure!
Lol! My grandmother lived in Clewiston! I spent many weeks in the summers there as a kid. The only other time I've seen it mentioned in writing is one line in a Stephen King novel (The Stand, I think).
Great post and photos, too!
The Stand is a great novel, btw. 😎
Erik: thanks for reading and commenting 😃 I love driving through these old towns in Florida. I feel like they’re on the verge of being discovered somehow, but maintaining their way life so far in a bit of a time warp. Labelle is close by to Clewiston, and I just found out they have a Sable palm festival the end of February, and I’m super excited about that.
It's been many years since I've been down that way. Last time it looked like Clewiston was getting 'discovered' but sports fishermen going out onto Lake Okeechobee.
Yes, perhaps they will luck out and stay undiscovered and quiet. But I feel like Florida is slowly, but surely, turning into some sort of gathering Mecca for everywhere in the world, and just more places are being encroached. We shall see.
Anna Maria is my fave beach town. Used to go there in the 90's and stay at a Mom and Pop motel with our dogs. If you think it's laid back now, you should have seen it then.
Hey Fred, thanks for reading and commenting. I can only imagine how it was back then. We went last week when it was somewhat chilly, so I’m assuming that kept a bit of the crowds away. Of course I am from the east coast and over here everything is Overdeveloped and at times a bit pretentious, depending on where you go. However, I really enjoyed the island. It was my first time, despite living in the Sarasota area for two years. I believe it has managed to maintain the old Florida vibe while also keeping up with the times.