Days 2 & 3 – Gasparilla Inn

 

 

Up the coast from Boca Grande is Venice, Florida, an unassuming and laid back little arty town on the coast that is infinately livable with beautiful beaches and fun casual dining like The Crows Nest .

For the last 4 years I have been so fortunate to stay with my dear friend June Morgan at her wonderful little Villa right on the water’s edge in the city of Venice, Florida.  She and her husband Dick, who reside in Cleveland, are the most gracious of hosts and, besides being a fabulous cook , June always entertains me!

I have been showing on the Island of Boca Grande for the last 9 or so years, beginning with the Gasparilla Inn and then with Perfect Day in Paradise which closed last year.  So now I am back at the Inn and enjoying myself in the beautiful surroundings.  In between my wonderful and abundant sales (Thank You God) I had the opportunity to wander the grounds.

The Front Porch greets you as you come up the steps to the Inn.  I want that plant stand!

This is the Parlor / Library.  Everytime I tried to shoot this, people were in the room either reading or on their laptops.

This is another view of the Parlor / Library.  It makes me want to curl up with a good book and just relax.

I am a shell nut and love to scour the beaches for interesting  shells and sea glass.  I thought this fireplace was fun all filled with shells.  I truly wonder where these came from – probably some designer bought a bag of them at the Shell Factory…

Off to the South side of the building is the Sun Porch.  I love the blue and white chintz - would like to stay here for 2 weeks, sit on the beach and do some deep sea fishing (which is on my list).  Did I mention there is also a wonderful Spa???

This is Cottage 51, (you can see the little sign above the door) one of the Cottages on the grounds.  For many years, The Gasparilla Inn has been a getaway for the Presidents George W. and George H. W. Bush and their entire families.  This last year all 3 generations of the Bush family arrived the day after Christmas for a little fishing and R&R.  I’ll bet some of the Secret Service stayed in Cottage 51 and drove this little golf cart around the island!

After settling up with the Inn Shop and gladly paying them a commission on my great sales, I packed up my car to head back to Venice and June’s Villa.  But first I had to make one last visit to the beach to view the almost setting sun and reflect on my good fortune and blessings.