About Me (Barbara Weibel)

Barbara Weibel After years of working 70 hours a week at jobs I detested, I felt like the proverbial "hole in the donut" - solid on the outside, but empty on the inside. Searching for meaning in my life, I abandoned my successful but unsatisfying career and set out on a six-month solo backpacking trip around the world to pursue my true passions of travel, writing, and photography. My blog features stories about the destinations I visit, people I meet, the crazy things...Read more here....


Sarasota-4th-July-Fireworks

Gorgeous starburst fireworks. Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneschoon/3389256448.

Oh yes, it’s HOT in Florida right now. Most days you could probably fry that proverbial egg on our sun-baked sidewalks. But that’s not the kind of sizzle I’m talking about. It’s the smokin’ hot lineup of events planned for Independence Day that I’m talkin’ about!

A weekend of festivities kicks off with “Powerboats By The Bay,” a collection of souped-up racing boats on display at downtown’s Centennial Park on July 3rd & 4th, followed by a spectacular fireworks show over Sarasota Bay at 9 p.m. on the 4th. Although the fireworks can be seen from almost anywhere in the downtown area, in-the-know Sarasotans head for the Bayfront near Island Park, where the the dazzling pyrotechnics create mirror images in the calm waters of the Bay.

Sarasota-4th-July-Fireworks-Mosaic

Mosaic of pyrotechnics, as seen from Sarasota's Bayfront Park. Photos courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/markus941/729113535.

Continue reading

You might also like:

I will be the first to admit that I am a person of extremes. My pendulum swings wide, so my challenge in life is to strive for moderation, balance. Since returning to Sarasota I’ve been slowly sinking into a mire of my own making. It started when I had to tackle the mountain of work waiting for me – that took slightly more than three weeks and for most of that time I was glued to the desk in my bedroom, slaving away at the computer. Just as I’d finished the last of that work, the weather turned rainy and gray, trapping me in the house for another week or so. By yesterday I was feeling truly terrible – lethargic and lacking an iota of ambition, my butt sunk into the recliner and my eyes glued to the laptop. I’ve known for years that I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition where lack of adequate exposure to sunlight causes mood swings. If I don’t get enough sun I begin to suffer mild symptoms of depression. I’d been stuck in a gloomy apartment with gloomier weather and my SAD was acting up.

Fortunately, the sun came out this morning and I knew that a day at the beach would be my best medicine. I drove the two short miles across Sarasota Bay, through St. Armand’s Circle, and on to Continue reading

You might also like:

Follow Hole in the Donut

Free Photography Ebook

Around the World with 40 Lonely Planet Bloggers
To download your free copy of "Around the World with 40 Lonely Planet Bloggers," subscribe to Hole In The Donut to receive an email each time a new article is published
* = required field

powered by MailChimp!

VISIT MY SPONSORS


If you are looking for a dream vacation, here is a great list of the best beaches in the world by country

Las Vegas Show Tickets


Prague Hotels
by Prague-Stay.com, the leading accommodation server in Prague


Last minute car rental

Perfect holidays in Maldives from Letsgo2

Disney World Tickets



Book cheap Amsterdam breaks from AA Getaways

Condos




Orlando Vacation Hotels
Orlando Vacation Hotels

Truck Tracking System

Punta Cana Hotels

Booked a holiday and looking for an airport transfer Holiday Taxis provide airport taxis and airport shuttles to thousands of destinations worldwide including sunny alicante transfers Get a quote & book online today with us!
If you are planning on taking the kids away on holiday, the don’t forget to look for family travel insurance before you leave.



Las Vegas Shows
Las Vegas Shows



Disney World Hotels

Disney Tickets

Cheap holiday deals from Expedia.co.uk. Find the latest travel deals on hotels, flights, car hire & more.

Who Likes Us on Facebook

AWARDS, HONORS, AFFILIATIONS

I'm a featured blogger on Lonely Planet

Top ten women's travel blogs

I helpedpeople get clean water
led by Tripbase







Vacations




Tips from the T-List

Travel Blog Sites - Top 100
As chosen by TravelPod, the web’s original travel blog



ZenCollegeLife Top 50 American Travel Blog




Alltop, all the cool kids (and me)