Beating the winter woes with tropical escapes

BROOMALL, Pa. - February 11, 2014

Bahama Breeze in King of Prussia offers the sound of steel drums, a cool drink and a cozy fire pit to help melt away the winter blues.

But others are seeking the warmth of the sun in destinations further south.

"Everybody keeps calling," said travel agent Maryann McKenzie. "They all want to go away."

Maryann McKenzie of Your Travel Connection in Broomall says her agency has been flooded with calls from people trying to get away to a sunny destination.

"This has been a crazy, busy winter. People not only wanting to go to Florida or the Caribbean, they want to go away. They want to go to Italy, they just want to get away," she said.

Maryann says she has plenty of pictures of tropical places to lure in from the Caribbean to Cancun, but many people are opting for Florida.

"Florida is a quick fix," she said. "It's only two hours and the airfare hasn't been that bad going into Florida."

Some have hit too many pot holes this winter and others have spent one too many days in the dark without power, but whatever the reason, people want it warm and they want it now.

"We lost power for five days. It was not fun. We're just hoping with this next storm that we don't lose our power again," said Scott Fudemberg.

"Trying to get a generator. There are no generators anywhere. We lost power for five hours the other day," said Gary Dienna.

Calisheche Gully spent hours going from store-to-store looking for snow and ice met for her sidewalk. She didn't find any.

"No more snow. I am tired," she said.

"So we're down to what, kitty litter and table salt," said Calisheche Gully. "No more snow. I am tired."

"I'm sick and tired of it. I have rear-wheel drive, so basically, I get nowhere. So I am really tired of the snow," said Kwelis Williams.

"I'm done. I've had it. I'm a beach girl. I like sun and flowers. Even my 6-year-old daughter is sick of it," said Nicole Murray.

Like it or not, snow is coming, but that doesn't stop us from dreaming of warmer climates and sunnier days.

Hang in there… spring will be here before you know it.

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