Boyfriend asked what I would be serving with turkey this year. I replied, “SPF 30.” “Lizzyeeee???!!!” He cried.
I intend to spend my Thanksgiving reading, people watching, and snoozing on the beach. For the last eighteen years I’ve shopped and cleaned, prepared and stuffed, baked and served, and cleaned again. I’m not doing it this year. Boyfriend protested, “It’s not that big of a big deal to make a turkey.” I shrugged, “So, knock yourself out. I’m heading to Siesta …”
Siesta Key is a barrier island just eight miles long on the Gulf of Mexico. It is known for its powder like sand. Because it is 99 percent quartz, it remains cool underfoot and is one of the whitest sands in the world! I’ve done a bit of traveling abroad and in the Caribbean, yet never seen anything that compares.
Every Sunday evening there is a Sunset Ceremony, or Drum Circle, as the locals call it. The hippies play instruments, dance, and sing. All are welcome to join in and there are quite a few characters to be had. Boyfriend’s nickname of choice, “Chief Feather Butt” says it all about one.
If you’re not a surf lover, you can go in to town and hit The Blasé Café and Martini Bar. It is one of the more mature hangouts. The decor is artwork by the owner Cindy with jazz playing in the background. I have gone in countless times and met people of interest while dining alone at the bar.
My least favorite place in Siesta is The Daiquiri Deck. This is where college age (hopefully) women hang out naked. Well, they do have on bathing suits. Boyfriend loves this place … for their rumrunners. We no longer go to the Daiquiri Deck … together.
On New Year’s Day every place is closed except the Crescent Club. Everyone knows it is Bloody Marys at 1:00 p.m. I love this place. They still have the original jukebox and cigarette machines since the beginning of time. The interior and furnishings have never been updated, people are still smoking away in there, and talk about retro … some of the customers look like they came with the place.
Whether you like to stay active (every water sport imaginable), or do absolutely nothing at all, you can do it here.
If I’m on Siesta in the a.m., I like to do a twenty mile bike ride, take a dip in the water and beach it for a bit. If I’m there in the evening, it’s a sunset stroll and a stop for a Caesar at my favorite place. And you can even rack up the Amex points in this neck of the woods. Now, that’s my kinda turf!
