Another cure for SAD

Another cure for the dreaded SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorder) that Steve and I have contracted is to get out of town and head for warmer weather.  (If you don’t know about our ailment check out the blog from yesterday)   We plan to do that in just a few days.  As usual, our schedule is never definite until it is definite but we are heading out to Stuart, Florida in the next couple of weeks.  Look at the weather there–I can definitely see a recovery in Stuart.

Stuart is located on Florida’s Treasure Coast, just south of Vero Beach and north of Palm Beach.  It is known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World.”  We have passed through Stuart on a few occasions but have never stayed in the area for any reasonable period of time.  I look forward to visiting its historic downtown which claims to be pedestrian friendly.  

Our plan is to arrive in Stuart before the Palm Beach Boat show so that we can go to the show and not have to find a hotel room. 

Coastal Living magazine calls Stuart a coastal dream town with a quaint village made of mostly locally owned business with something for everyone.  Art galleries, restaurants, upscale boutiques interspersed with more affordable shopping throughout the historic waterfront downtown.  

Meandering Joy will arrive in St. Petersburg sometime in May.  Why go to St. Pete again? Our Lainey graduates!!!!  We want to have the boat there for graduation and celebrations! Her sisters plan to join us for the weekend festivities.  We will be staying at the marina at The Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club in downtown St. Petersburg where will have full access to all of the amenities at The Vinoy, pool, spa, & tennis courts.  The hotel, built in 1925, took just 10 months to complete.  When it opened the rooms were $20 per night.  Today the rooms average $300 a night.   

I am excited to look for the ghosts which have been sighted walking the halls of the hotel which was used by the army for a training school in WWII.  It was sold for $700,000 after the war and was prosperous until the 1960’s and subsequently closed in 1974.  It was purchased in the early 1990’s at which time a renovation costing $93 million was completed and the Vinoy was reopened. It’s location is perfect for walking around the parks, restaurants and shops along the waterfront.  

Looks like we are going to find sunny skies and warmer weather soon.

Joy