Tag: Photos

Summer Memories Last Forever ~ Photos ~ Quotes

Summer Memories Last Forever ~ Photos ~ Quotes

Journeys with EileenDiane

In the summer, we write life’s summary with the slow waves of love flowing over the sandy beach. The slow breeze and the warm sun write our memories  ~ Debasish Mridha

Some of the days in November carry the whole memory of summer as a fire opal carries the color of moonrise ~ Gladys Taber

every summer has its own story ~
the tan will fade but the memories will always stay ~ Kiara Harris

To guarantee the individual maximum freedom within a social frame of minimal laws ensures – if not happiness – its hopeful pursuit ~ John Updike

I pray that the life of this spring and summer may ever lie fair in my memory ~ Henry David Thoreau

Summer Flowers ~ Quotes ~ Photos ~ August 2022

Summer Flowers ~ Quotes ~ Photos ~ August 2022

Journeys with EileenDiane

The smallest flower is a thought, a life answering to some feature of the Great Whole, of whom they have a persistent intuition ~ Honore de Balzac

You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way ~ Walter Hagen

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change ~ Buddha

Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful ~ Jim Carrey

A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms ~ Zen Shin

Earth laughs in flowers ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida ~ Photos ~ June 2022

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida ~ Photos ~ June 2022

Journeys with EileenDiane

The universe is a continuous web,

Touch it at any point

And the whole web quivers.

Stanley Kunitz, Poet

Savor your journeys, near or far, real or imagined

For information about hours, special exhibits, directions, etc:

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – The Living Museum

St Petersburg. Florida ~ Dali Museum ~ June 2022 ~ Photos

St Petersburg. Florida ~ Dali Museum ~ June 2022 ~ Photos

Journeys with EileenDiane

I do not bring back from a journey quite the same self   that I took ~ W. Somerset Maugham

A highlight of my recent journey to Florida was a visit to the Dali Museum in beautiful St. Petersburg. It was a short walk from my hotel (The Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St Petersburg, which I recommend) along parks and the waterway.

I met a friend at the Museum and it was great fun exploring it with someone who had already visited this impressive museum. After a delicious cappuccino at their café, we downloaded the free Dali Museum app for a self-guided tour and set off to explore. https://thedali.org/ .. check for hours and note that at this time, advance tickets are required.

Let me share a few of my favorite Dali paintings (Photos below):

  • Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea, Which at 20 Meters Become the Portrait of Abraham Lincoln (1976)
  • Slave Market with the Disappearing Bust of Voltaire (1940)
  • The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory (1952-54)
  • The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus (1958)

The app goes into marvelous detail about all of the exhibited artwork and after touring the Museum, we explored the enjoyable and very well stocked gift shop where you can purchase guide books (which give detailed information about the collection), clothing, magnets, jewelry, puzzles, etc.

Then we walked about the avant-garden, including the wish tree, from the admission bands given when entering the Museum.

Afterwards, we walked back to the town, checking a few restaurant menus and settling on one that is now one of my favorites.

Favorite Restaurants:

St. Petersburg, with its beautiful beaches, parks, terrific restaurants and shops plus the Dali Museum, is certainly on my list to revisit.  

Savor your journeys, near or far, real or imagined

Journey to Fort Myers, Florida ~ June 2022 ~ Photos

Journey to Fort Myers, Florida ~ June 2022 ~ Photos

Journeys with EileenDiane

Who lives sees much, who travels sees more ~ Arabian Proverb

Last month when I flew to Tampa, I liked the area so much I decided to fly to Florida again, this time to the Fort Myers area. I had to connect in Charlotte, NC and two of the four flights I took were delayed. Fortunately, I made my connection going to Fort Myers (after running thru Charlotte Airport – why are connections so far apart when there is little time?) and coming home, while missing a shuttle, there was another an hour later.

Travel Tips:

  • Always try to get a non-stop flight (earliest in the day) and if connecting, always opt for the earliest flight.
  • Check with friends or travel advisors about which airline offers best connections to where you are traveling.
  • Download the airline’s app to keep up to date re flights.
  • If you HAVE to get to your destination (a wedding, cruise, etc.) perhaps book your arrival for a day or two in advance.
  • Be patient and keep your sense of humor as plane travel will not be “fun” this summer.

I spent several days in beautiful Fort Myers, seeing friends, enjoying the beach, Happy Hours and some terrific restaurants plus one of the best Barnes and Nobles that I have ever visited. Since this is Florida’s rainy season, I witnessed some spectacular thunder/lightning storms in the evenings.

Then I drove north to St Petersburg, stopping at Punta Gorda for a terrific lunch at Fishermen’s Village, at the Village Brewhouse. It was fun exploring all of the local shops. Village Brewhouse | Fishermen’s Village | Punta Gorda, Florida (fishermensvillage.com)

After visiting St Petersburg (the Dali Museum is a must!) for a few days, I headed south staying in Sarasota for a few days, loving Siesta Key Beach. It is ranked as one of the best beaches and I definitely would agree. Also in the area, are the beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

I drove south to Naples for lunch, then headed back to Fort Myers. This time, instead of a chain hotel, I opted for a local hotel near the beach that a friend recommended. Great recommendation!

I’ll have several more posts and photos about St. Petersburg, the Dali Museum, the Botanical Gardens in Sarasota plus some favorite restaurants, especially in Fort Meyers and St. Petersburg.

Savor your journeys, near or far, real or imagined

Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Florida ~ Photos ~ Quotes ~ May 2022

Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Florida ~ Photos ~ Quotes ~ May 2022

Journeys with EileenDiane

There’s no question dolphins are smarter than humans as they play more ~ Albert Einstein

Several years ago, after watching the beautiful movie, “A Dolphin Tale,” I made a mental note to someday visit the Clearwater Aquarium, which is Florida’s Marine Life Rescue Center. It is an incredible place to spend several hours and one that you can easily revisit.

Your journey to the Aquarium will include learning about the dolphins and otters and pelicans, etc. For those who have seen the movie and its sequel, there are photos and information about parts of the movie which were shot on location plus interesting data about Winter, the star. Winter and the Rescue Center gained world wide attention due to the film and the compelling story of Winter.

The main attraction is the dolphins ~ they are beautiful, mesmerizing and quite memorable.

Their web site has a great deal of information, including special events plus several web cams:

Clearwater Marine Aquarium | Florida’s Marine Life Rescue Center (cmaquarium.org)

Savor your journeys, near or far, real or imagined

Dolphins speak to us of the rhythm of our emotions; breathing in joy before plunging into the depths and rushing to the surface to do it all over again ~ Anonymous

The dolphins and whales have a brain that is actually bigger in proportion to their size than we do. They are very complex. They are thinkers ~ Owsley Stanley

National Hug Your Cat Day ~ June 4, 2022 ~ Photos ~ Quotes

National Hug Your Cat Day ~ June 4, 2022 ~ Photos ~ Quotes

Journeys with EileenDiane

Celebrate with your special feline … and give lots of hugs …. OR hug a friend’s cat OR visit a shelter and hug a cat ….

Journeys are more meaningful with special pals … Savor the moments with your precious felines  … 

A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not ~ Ernest Hemingway

Cats have it all: admiration, an endless sleep, and company only when they want it ~ Rod McKuen

A cat is a puzzle for which there is no solution ~ Hazel Nicholson

All cats like being the focus of attention.” –Peter Gray

Time spent with cats is never wasted ~ Sigmund Freud

When the cat you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure ~ Unknown

The loss of a cat is immeasurable. But so is the love left behind ~ Unknown

Tarpon Springs, Florida ~ Photos ~ May 2022

Tarpon Springs, Florida ~ Photos ~ May 2022

Journeys with EileenDiane

Tarpon Springs, about 13 miles north of Clearwater, has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the US. It’s a cute town to walk about and definitely time it for lunch or dinner. The restaurant I chose for a late lunch was fabulous, from appetizer to dessert. I selected the restaurant that seemed to be the busiest – and I understood why once I tasted their food.

Hellas Restaurant ~ A friendly waiter brought the menu with many popular Greek dishes, plus some unknowns. The waiter spent time answering questions and giving recommendations. My favorite appetizer (Taramasalata with pita) was incredible. LOL – there were no leftovers! It was perfect with a glass of a delicious, white Greek wine, Kretikos. Because I knew I wanted dessert, I followed the appetizer with a very nice salad. The dessert menu is very extensive. I chose kataiffi – it’s a rolled type baklava and is terrific. The restaurant definitely warrants many trips to try other items on their menu. Bon Appetit (in Greek: Καλή όρεξη. [Kalí órexi]

Hellas Bakery | Hellas Restaurant | Wholesale and Retail Greek Patries | Greek Festivals | Tarpon Springs, Florida – Hellas Bakery and Restaurant

Savor your journeys, near or far, real or imagined

Clearwater Beach, Florida ~ May 2022 ~ Photos ~ Quotes

Clearwater Beach, Florida ~ May 2022 ~ Photos ~ Quotes

Journeys with EileenDiane

Don’t grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach ~ Michelle Held

The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul ~ Robert Wyland 

The beach to me is a sacred zone between the earth and the sea, one of those in-between between places where transitions can be experienced – where endings can be mourned and beginnings birthed. A walk along the beach offers the gift of the unexpected ~ Joan Anderson

 Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone ~ Anonymous

 Isn’t it strange, the way time moves? I could stand here and watch the sea crash beneath me for hours and it would feel only like minutes had passed ~ Sjana Elisa Earp

 We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds ~ Aristotle Onassis

 In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans ~ Kahlil Gibran

I followed my heart and it led me to the beach ~ Unknown