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An escape from city hall to the seaside
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 [Photo courtesy of Rick Baker] Mayor Rick Baker says most of his vacations now revolve around one thing: his family. Here, he and his daughter, Julann, take a spin on the Mad Tea Party at Disney World. |
By LORRIE LYKINS
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 4, 2002
Getting away with: Rick Baker
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker qualified his responses to our vacation questions with a reminder that he and his wife, Joyce, are parents of two children: Julann, 6, and Jacob, 5:
"There are two distinct travel experiences: before kids and after," Baker said. "Before we had kids, a great trip was taking off for Europe. Now our travel's family-oriented."
Favorite destination for a weekend getaway?
"The Sirata Beach Resort on St. Petersburg Beach. We like it because we can get a suite with plenty of space and a kitchenette. There are activities for the kids, very family friendly. My kids love the paddleboats."
How did you discover it?
"We've been going out to the TradeWinds (corporate partner of the Sirata) for years and since the Sirata is a good family place, we've started taking the kids there."
Where did you go on your last real vacation?
"We went to Sea World and then on to St. Augustine -- total kids trip."
Best all-time vacation?
"Berlin, Germany. It was 1990, right after the Berlin Wall came down. My wife and I took a month off and traveled through Eastern Europe, including the Soviet Union and Hungary. It was an incredible time to be there. We brought back two suitcases filled with pieces of the wall."
-- Freelance writer Lorrie Lykins lives in Seminole; you can contact her at WriteLor@Yahoo.com.
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111
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