RuthAnn Scott - One Sunset at a Time
The first time RuthAnn visited the Sea Horse Beach Resort was in 1996—on a recommendation from her husband's business partner. She arrived with her husband Earl, and two other couples, blissfully unaware that Florida had barrier islands at all. But what started as a no-kids adult getaway quickly became a tradition and then, a treasured family legacy.
That first night, RuthAnn slept outside on the balcony in a chair, listening to the sounds of the Gulf. Something about the place instantly felt like home. For years, Sea Horse was her place for adult vacations—sun-soaked days, serene evenings, and lots of laughter with good friends. But around 2020, life shifted. Health issues kept some longtime friends from traveling, and RuthAnn and Earl decided it was time to share the magic with their youngest daughter. From that moment on, the Sea Horse became a multi-generational tradition.
She also introduced her oldest daughter, a proud member of the NYPD Mounted Unit, to the gentle rhythm of island life in 2011. She’s been there every year after. She missed 2018 but returned the following year with RuthAnn’s grandchild, just one year old. From that visit forward, her grandkids became part of the Sea Horse family too. These days, she visits Sea Horse three times a year, especially for spring breaks. Sometimes she drives down from Indiana, and she flies her grandson to SRQ airport from
RuthAnn enjoys Bridge Street’s shops and galleries, a favorite stop, and when her daughter-in-law visits, the two often go birdwatching in nearby nature preserves and paddle boating at the Lido Key mangrove trails. RuthAnn also loves sitting on the balcony during a passing storm, watching the clouds roll over the Gulf—another simple pleasure that never gets old.
RuthAnn has always stayed in unit 244— “forever,” as she puts it. Over the years, she’s rented more: unit 240, then up to seven units at once to host a whole group of family and friends. For RuthAnn, the biggest draw is the beach, your very own private slice of paradise just outside the door.
Earl enjoys the nearby public golf courses in Sarasota and Bradenton, while RuthAnn prefers to explore the local flavor—restaurants like the Beach House, Chart House, Cha Cha Coconuts, and Columbia in St. Armand’s Circle are favorites. In Sarasota, she loves Dockside Grille, and Walt’s Fish Market and in Longboat her favorite is the Salty Dog. But sometimes, cooking in the comfort of her Sea Horse unit is just as satisfying.
Every trip includes a visit to Kilwins for ice cream and a stroll through St. Armand’s Circle, especially in June during the annual art show. For years, she promised herself she’d buy a piece of local artwork—and recently, she finally did.
But what truly makes Sea Horse feel like home are the sunset and the people. RuthAnn often says, “You can’t take it with you—enjoy one sunset at a time.” That’s her mantra. And after decades of memories, friendships, and family moments, it’s clear that Sea Horse is more than a vacation spot for RuthAnn. It’s where her heart finds peace.
She always makes time to visit Santa and Dalia, the Sea Horse staff who feel more like family now. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the beach, or the sunsets, or even the memories—it’s about the feeling of belonging.
And for RuthAnn, that feeling lives right here—at the Sea Horse.
| 
