As a Home Watch provider, we want each of your return trips to Sarasota to feel as refreshing as the first. Our "Piece of Paradise" newsletters provide a brief glimpse into Florida homeownership, followed by a featured activity for your next visit.

Homeowner Insight

Here's a not-so-secret insight to the Home Watch business: our efficiency increases when we have multiple clients within a short distance of one another. This month we're extending an offer to existing clients who refer a neighbor to Coastal Haven Home Watch: for each introductory interview we conduct as a result of your referral, you will receive a credit for one free Home Watch visit.

Last year at this time, Miranda almost paddled right into the ski ramp during a night time kayak tour. It was much easier to see in broad daylight!

We quickly learned that there's a right way and a wrong way to enjoy an April Ski-A-Rees show. Despite arriving 20 minutes early to the show, the covered bleachers were already full. So let's give this advice right off the bat: arrive even earlier, or carry your lawn chairs from the Ken Thompson parking area.

The covered bleachers have the best view of the performance area and a stage directly in front. The area in the shadow of the trees is a great option if you bring chairs. Ski-A-Rees is raising money for improvements, including a shade over their second set of bleachers. (Frankly we think the boats in the top photo have the best idea - watch from the water!)

The Ski-A-Rees are a non-profit organization completely run by volunteers, many of whom are family members of the skiers. Members of the ski team range in age, and skiers of any skill level (including no experience) are invited to join.

The youngest member of the Ski-A-Rees loves waving to the crowds.

The laid back, family atmosphere make each show feel like a community event. Ski team members rush past the audience each time they return to the dock for their next trick. Their equipment is stored to the side of walkways and other open spaces to allow quick access during the show. An emcee shares details about each skier as they perform.

Unique lawn sculptures? Nope, just equipment waiting for its turn in the line-up.

We're saving some of our better pictures (jump tricks and ramp flips) from this activity for our Facebook profile - but to give you a taste of the performance, our video this month features the Ski-A-Rees ballet line.

This is definitely a recommended one-hour treat for a leisurely Sunday afternoon.

Nearby or Similar Considerations

Our guide talked about the mangrove ecosystem. Our kids loved the feeling of sliding over the water.

Watching the Ski-A-Rees gave us a hankering to do some water gliding of our own - swamp style. We made a trip to Corey Billie's Airboat Rides in Naples, Florida. If you or your guests have never been on an airboat ride, this is a great way to check it off the bucket list. Although there are airboat rides in the Orlando area, the drive to Ten Thousand Islands isn't much further and offers some advantages. One: it's also a chance to see the Everglades (home of 13 endangered and 10 threatened species and a World Heritage Site). Two: you will be amazed at the precision with which your guide is able to navigate the winding mangrove tunnels, many of which are only a few inches wider than the boat. Three: your guide will likely be a "swamp native," with colorful stories that have been carefully crafted to perpetuate myths and realities of life in the swamp.

One slip of the boat to the wrong angle would bring the tour to a quick halt.