A Week Of Peace

When we first drove up, we looked at each other with one of those "Oh, no!" looks. From the outside, Sea Oats looks like an old, old motel.

Well, judging a book by its cover is always wrong and this was no exception. We were welcomed warmly in the office and allowed to check in a little ahead of the normal time.

We opened the door (which was right in front of where we parked the car) to our one-bedroom exchange unit and were pleasantly surprised. Everything was in superb repair. The front door entrance puts you in the living area. There is a galley kitchen -- what my kids refer to as a "one-butt kitchen." However, it had everything anyone could need for preparing meals, including a dishwasher. Behind this kitchen/living area is the bedroom, complete with a king sized bed. Off of this, behind the kitchen, is the single bathroom.

Sounds kinda hum-drum? Well, the best part awaited our discovery. The door at the back of the BR led to a screened porch, complete with pegs for hanging wet swimsuits. And off of this porch, only a few steps away, were the swimming pool and jacuzzi. A few steps to the right was the beach. Overlooking this beach was a chickee hut, which offered a splendid vantage point for watching dolphins, grilling a meal, or just sunning. I was thrilled!

It''s the little extras that made this stay so delightful. There were two TVS, one in the living area and one in the bedroom. There was a vacuum cleaner in the bedroom closet. Closet space was generous. The bathroom had a hair dryer. Beach towels were provided.

What made this vacation a stand-out, however, were the guests. During this week, the same people seem to return year after year. They look forward to their reunions, and congregate at the chickee hut every late afternoon to share the beautiful sunsets. They bring wine, beers, munchies, and even shrimp. And in this day and age of wariness of strangers, they reach out and include any newcomers, meaning us. We had such fun with this crowd that runs the gamut from young couples with babies to retired folks. Kind warmth was displayed, but no one was intrusive. They all do their own thing by day. But once the sun starts to decline, they gather to share it and enjoy lively conversation.

One night, one of the guests who had gone fishing for the day and returned with a plethora of sheepshead, knocked on our door and asked us to come to the chickee hut to help him and his wife eat it. He had cooked it on the grill with tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions, and it would be impossible to convey just how delicious it was. But this is an excellent demonstration of the kindness of the clientele at this resort, at least during week two!

There were some organized activities, such as a pot-luck lunch with burgers and dogs provided by the resort, for a couple of dollars, if memory serves. But we didn''t attend because we were driving around, checking out the area at those times. The resort provides bicycles, which can be checked out for free.

Our weather was spectacular every day, but in January, the Gulf is bone-chilling, so we spent a lot of time in the pool, which was kept at an inviting 86 degrees. We enjoyed the hot tub, especially at night, under the countless stars.

We go on many vacations where we are constantly on the go, where we enjoy daily scuba diving. The Sea Oats afforded us a very different kind of stay, a completely relaxing week, after which we returned home with our batteries re-charged.

We have another exchange here arranged for next January. Once you''ve stayed here, I know you''ll do the same.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Excellent

Carrabba's always delights, no matter what the choice. When you arrive without reservations, your name is taken and you will be given a little appliance that lights up when your table is ready. For us, the wait was about a half hour, which we killed in the strip mall adjacent to the restaurant.

The decor is open, with tables and booths set off by high partitions. These afford a little respite from the noise level, which is admittedly high. Don't go here expecting a romantic rendezvous. Carrabba's is always lively, with decibel levels in the upper range.

We started with perfectly fried calamari. They were crispy with no trace of oiliness, and not even slightly rubbery. The slight breading was spiced to perfection. The marinara sauce on the side had a definite kick.

My husband chose the veal piccata and I chose the pollo Rosa Maria. While we waited, we munched on the superb Tuscan-style bread, with its dry, crunchy crust and soft, moist interior, dipped in herbed extra-virgin olive oil. It was hard to pace ourselves, so perfect was this bread.

Our entrees arrived steaming hot. The veal was exquisite, and required only a fork to cut it. The sauce had just the right amount of lemon, which, combined with a dry white wine, made for an intriguingly piquant accompaniment. However, the chicken (pollo) Rosa Maria was the best chicken entree I have ever had in a restaurant! The succulent boneless breasts were stuffed with oozing Fontina cheese, and were enrobed in a coffee-colored sauce, studded with mushrooms and pieces of tomato pulp. The chicken is smoked over wood, and the taste combination caused a collision of flavors that almost gave me sensory overload! If you have occasion to get to Carrabba's, don't miss this one.

One thing we have noticed at all Carrabba's is the waitstaff. The training is impeccable. They are all young because this is a movin'-and-shakin' place. But they never show you if they feel harried. They are attentive, but never intrusive. They refill your water glass without being asked. They are ready to tell you about anything on the menu with knowledge.

If you go out only once during your vacation in Florida, make it a trip to Carrabba's. You will feel that you got more than your money's worth, and you'll leave with a wonderful memory, the tastes of Italy lingering in your mind, as well as your mouth.

Homes here run the gamut from trailer parks to multi-million dollar palaces. When you get too warm, it's easy to pull over and take a dip in the Gulf.

We always enjoy a ride down Gulf Road toward Stump Pass Beach Park. There is little traffic on this part of the island, and you can take your time to explore the little side streets. Those on the right will take you to the beach, those on the left lead to homes on canals that open to the Intercoastal Waterway.

We enjoy looking at the boats, which range in from elaborate to fishing trollers. Many of these homes have pools that overlook the water.

From the town beach, if you head north, you'll see more opulent homes. Gulf Blvd has allotted space for a bike trail that is actually the shoulder of the road. Generally, it is safe, but it's always wise to stay as far to the right as possible. Even in late January, prime snowbird time, we found crossing to be quite simple, and motorists seem used to cyclists.

We enjoyed heading off Manasota Key. For about a mile and a half is a delightful bike trail, separate from the main road, that is landscaped lavishly with colorful hydrangea and hibiscus. We had the trail all to ourselves while there.

Bikes must be walked across the bridge off the key. We found the breeze on the bridge to be refreshing, and enjoyed watching the boats pass beneath us.

Every day we saw something new. If you find yourself in Englewood, don't miss a leisurely bike ride to encourage you to stop and smell those elusive roses, and to help you to count the blessings in your life, such as the beautiful scenery before you.

The landscaping is immaculate and all accoutrements appear to be in relatively new. The greens are free of debris and the coverings appear freshly replaced.

We went on a sunny January afternoon, and there was only one other party on the course for the first few holes, so we could take our time with the shots. We can state unequivocally that this is not your run-of-the-mill mini golf course. All holes are challenging, some with bankings, obstacles, and some multi-levels.

One of the holes had a deceptively simple water hazard. It was a moat-like affair between two distinct segments. It required more force than we thought to get over the water, as a slight upcurve just before the stream slowed the momentum. Fortunately, and thoughtfully, the management put a grating in the stream just before it cascaded to the level below, so retrieving your wayward ball is an easy matter. Living down your goof, however, may not be so easy.

Hole 15 was closed for renovation, but other than that, the course is in fine shape. Each day, two holes are designated for a free game, if you score a hole-in-one on either. Unfortunately, despite a couple aces, none of ours came on the designated holes...

There is a video arcade that will appeal to teens, a go-kart racetrack, and a mini-railroad for the tiny ones.

Pelican Pete's is an excellent destination for a family activity that's sure to leave everyone with smiles on his or her face. If you're a mini-golf fan, make this a must-do the next time you're in the Englewood area.

Physically, little has changed in the units. This time, we were in unit #202, which offers a lovely, straight-on view of the recreation area (pool, Jacuzzi, chickee hut) and the Gulf beyond. We could see the Gulf from our bed.

And we would have been able to hear the breakers on the shore, had it not been for a massive construction undertaking going on weekdays from 7am to 4pm, directly next door. The noise was so obnoxious that sitting around the pool to read, or even sitting on the screened in deck was not enjoyable. In order to sleep in the morning past 7am, earplugs were a necessity. Furthermore, there is evidence that if this new construction is more than two stories high (which it appeared will be the case) that it will block the afternoon sun from the recreation area. That will seriously affect the resort's desirability, at least for us.

The cleanliness had slipped, decidedly. When searching for a lost earring, a peek under the bed revealed several crumpled, used Kleenex. YUCK! One lamp was missing a light bulb, but it was replaced upon request. Other than that, maintenance and cleaning was OK.

The furniture was the same, a little worse for the wear, but not bad. The décor was the same too in dark green/pink. The ranges have been replaced with a smooth cook-top model. The fridge was the same as well, though it had broken bars, wire shelves, and extensive rust pitting, inside and out.

There are a few limited resort-sponsored activities, like an ice cream social for $2, and a cookout on Wednesdays for $3. Bikes (not in the best of repair, with handlebar grips missing, tires not pumped up and coaster brakes that didn't work well) are loaned out and seeing the area is fun. There are some bike trails, and you can walk your bike over the bridge off Manasota Key.

The other guests were completely different this time. The last time they were warm and eager to include newcomers. This time, we were barely greeted by anyone the whole week.

The pool registered 4-5 degrees less than the enjoyable 86 degrees it was the last time. The Jacuzzi was lightly warm. We asked that the thermostat settings be increased on both, and both requests were refused.

The Sea Oats is still a pleasant enough resort with comfortable accommodations. However, because of the noticeable decline in the staff's willingness to please, and because of the obnoxious noise that is present during most daylight hours, we were not nearly as enchanted as we were the first time. We had a "nice" vacation, but certainly not a memorable one, at this resort.