They have a nice condo just across the Little Sarasota Bay from the campground that they actually told us about this past summer while we were golfing. It turned out to be a great spot with lots to do and see. Its always nice to get some inside info on where to go from locals...or in this case ...part time locals. It was also great timing with them arriving at the same time for a three week stay.
Denny told Tony about the gathering of Buckeye Fans every Saturday at a local restaurant/bar called Captain Curt's. So he rode his bike 3 miles to watch OSU take on and beat Indiana...which in it self was fun, but sharing the experience with more than 250 other Ohio State Fans made it memorable.
The next day, Saturday, was a busy day...orchestrated by our "Social Director". Kathy and Denny brought their bikes to the campground and we all rode about 5 miles to the Sand Sculpture Computation held every year on the Siesta Key Public Beach. Which is billed as the number 1 beach in the country and you only have to take a short stroll along the crystal sand and calm, shallow sloped shore to see why they call this beach {World Famous}
Within a few hours we were back on our bikes for the ride back to our campground and a great waterfront brunch at the Turtles Restaurant. Coconut Glazed Mahi Mahi with sautéed vegetables and potato casserole...O and a Bloody Mary...all for 9:75...that in it self would make the highlight reel.
We then put the bikes on the cars and drove about 12 miles to Venice, where we off-loaded the bikes for an afternoon visiting the different areas in which the Chalk Festival was going on. Again like the sand sculptures, drawing competitors from around the world.
The chalk board was a neat touch
Kathy signing the chalk board
After all the bike riding we had to take a day off to recuperate...the youngsters wore us out.
The next day we were at in again...(without our tour guide)...to the Ringling Museum, a place we have wanted to go to in the past but never fit it in. The museum "or museums" are on the 66 acre estate of the late John and Mable Ringling. The Museum of Art was packed with original works from the early 1600's from all over the world. It was being made larger to accommodate more of the even larger collection that is housed in a number of warehouses. The variety of art, paintings, photography, sculptures, and artifacts are routinely shared with other prominent museums.
The other to museums on the property are dedicated to the history of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Baily Circus. One of the most interesting was
things we saw was a 3,800 sq. foot 1/16 scale re-creation of a 3 ring circus that took Howard Tibbals 50 years to create. This display shows the wagons and trains that were used to transport everything. Also the food tents used to feed the over 1,000 workers and entertainers along with hundreds of animals. This gave a good idea of life in the circus when it came to town.
The Ringling Mansion was another museum in it's own right impressively built in 1927 with the finest materials from around the world and filled with antiques and a nice variety of art. The grounds also had a number of special gardens and a wide variety of trees...all over looking the Sarasota Bay. A legacy worth seeing if you are ever in the area.
We though that a couple lazy days on the beach was the next thing on our agenda until the phone rang...it was our social director with an invite to go on a boat ride up the Myakka River.
Of course we obliged and it turned out to be a great day at Shook Haven. We saw a lot of wild life along the river banks and were serenaded by about 20 banjo players while eating some pretty good Bar B Q. All in aback woods... off the beaten path setting.
We want to thank Kathy and Denny for lining up all that entertainment for us..
...the sand sculptures...the chalk artist...and the banjo players...O and the alligator's were a nice touch.
We can see why you decided to have a place in this area...and a very nice place at that.
Our next trip to Florida will defiantly include more time at Siesta Key.
LIVE
LAUGH
LOVE
SanTony
No comments:
Post a Comment