West Coast of Florida
The West coast of Florida is nothing like the East coast of Florida and neither of the coasts are like inland Florida. My parents lived in the Villages during their retirement, so that was the only Florida I really knew. In Maine we have several parts of the state, The County, The Coast, The Portland area and south of that. In Florida it isn't any different. One part is not like any other and I am sure this isn't unique.
The point being, that we have been enjoying every minute since we left Fort Myers for the Central Western part of the state. We have 3 weeks to travel up the West coast and back down to Fort Myers for another few days with friends, then cross the Okeechobee and head north to pick up Maggie in Jacksonville. We always have fun with Maggie, she is adventurous, brave and likes ice cream, what could be better!
Enough of that. I will tell you about Maggie when she is here.
We have had so much fun, sorry to repeat myself.
As they say a picture is worth a thousand words but no one said it was impossible to have both.
We traveled from Fort Myers to Cayo Costa for an overnight, then we headed to Sarasota for 3 nights before heading to an anchorage in St. Petersburg. From St. Pete we headed to Caladesi Island State Park Island for an overnight at the state park docks, then onto Dunedin. We heard there was unfriendly weather headed our way, so we talked with friends and learned about Bradenton, Twin Dolphin Marina. From the Bradenton we are headed south to Sarasota, to Cayo Costa and back to Fort Myers.
We had dinner with our friends on their boat while in Cayo Costa and went on a dark dinghy ride back to our boat. We are very knowledge about ways to navigate after dark just wish we had put them in to action all at once.
On our way north, look who was playing in our wake.
The following day we had a nice ride to Sarasota. We tried to get a slip at Marina Jacks but they were full and only had one mooring so we grabbed it. Again the weather wasn't looking very good for travel so we stayed in Sarasota longer than expected. We had a great time and never was uncomfortable with rocking and rolling of the boat. We took several dinghy rides into shore and didn't get wet. We walked a lot and learned a lot about SCAT, Sarasota County Area Transit, a fine system. The bus terminal is very close to the marina and easy to learn. Rob could travel for $.60 because he is old and I paid $1.25 because I am not.
The first day we took SCAT to Siesta Key Beach, the sand never gets hot. After the beach we walked to Siesta Beach Village which looked like all other little beach villages, we had a good lunch and took the bus back to Sarasota.
It is not unusual that I push to get the most out of a day so we headed out on another bus to St. Armands Circle, still in Sarasota. St. Armands Circle is rimmed with one shop after another, it is the first time I have been in a Lilly Pulitzer store, now I have completed my bucket list!
Notice the sideshow in the background playing the accordion.
Rob asked me what made me reach down and give the beautiful dog a dollar, all I could come up with is that he seemed like a really smart dog and what smart dog would refuse money. So he takes the money and drops it in the "hat". This musician had the best trained dog I have ever been around so I couldn't resist giving the dog more money, so I could see her drop it in the "hat" again.
I read a fun book, A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life by James Bowen, another street musician that had a pet who sat with him while he played. The cat was so popular with his winning personality that people would bring him food and treats and the musician money.
Life can be a real circus and this time it was the Ringling Circus and Museum of Art, a beautiful museum! I have never found circuses very interesting. I love animals and even at a young age I thought that the whole idea of animals performing for humans in a controlled environment was dehumanizing. Being at the Ringling put the circus into an art form for me. I don't like them any better, but admire the art and work that was involved with the show. Here are a few pictures of the Ringling exhibit, all in miniature.
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| One of the volunteers that create the miniatures for the room after room of circus tinies. |
The museum of Art at Ringling
In Awe
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| Michelangelo, David 19th century cast after the 16th century original |
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| This young girl was narrating while she was taking this picture and how it was going to be perfect for her class project |
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| This is my hubby thinking nothing about school |
I am not sure that both of these works of art are Rubens but someone that knows more than me about it, do tell?
We are not weary sailors we are weary tourists.
Here is the next day at Selby Gardens a must see for any tourist.
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| This small section is part of the bigger display above. |
The rest of Selby Botanical Gardens and some tourists
I wish you could see this great new necklace that I have.
Hysterical
...also in Sarasota we saw our first Anhinga
Friends while we are away still having fun and including us virtually in their gatherings
Sarasota's fun funky art is decorated bicycles.
Another form of art we saw around town
Our parting shot from Sarasota
We left Sarasota headed for Caladesi with a stop at the Hip Hop anchorage. We found an anchorage on Active Captain that said it was near an Elks Club and if we were in luck an Elk's Member would come and let us in to the Elks for showers etc. We didn't care about that, but thought we could still rest Linda Jean there for the night, if you can imagine a sort of water cul-de-sac. I am being very long winded when all I want to tell you is that the anchorage is small and in front of several houses on the water. It felt like we were imposing but at that time of night we didn't have much of an option. I am not sure but I think one of the young men on his dock turned Hip Hop on very loud for us, his house was the one closest. I think that I understand how he felt but...
You must stop at Caladesi the pictures don't do it justice. We took a great trail around the island and a walk on the beach.
The island does a controlled burn to make sure the Slash Pine trees on the island are not overtaken by oak and other hardwood.
Ride 'em Cowboy
Me
Dunedin
The real thing
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All around town is dolphin art
and funky art for example this railroad track sign on the bike trail
We heard about the Victoria Street stroll so thought it would be a nice way to see a little bit of Dunedin. Victoria Street as you can imagine belonged/belongs to the wealthiest in Dunedin's history. It was a fun stroll but we didn't find out until after listening for awhile that we found out it was something one paid for, but Vinnie was very gracious and let us come along anyway.
This is Dunedin's Egret with a name however I don't remember it but the fisherman told me that when he comes in from fishing several birds including this beautiful one know food is on the way. This bird is holding out for any more tidbits.
The view from Victoria Street, Linda Jean In the sunset
Welcome to Bradenton
Bradenton was an unexpected stop where we stayed for a few days again to stay out of nasty weather. We stayed at Twin Dolphin Marina, which has a pool that I took advantage of and did you know-If you are willing to go swimming in the rain you have the pool to yourself?
Bradenton has a lovely River Walk, very nice and different from the riverwalk in Stuart. Along the way is a Veterans' Memorial, skate park, beach volleyball, flex lawn, outdoor living rooms, a tidal discovery zone, fishing pier, splash pad, family fun zone, mosaic amphitheater, botanical walk and great lawn there was even a wedding party have a photoshoot.
We met Charlie at the free trolley stop. Charlie works as a flagger at road construction sites, but doesn't earn enough money to have a place of his own so he uses the homeless shelter and local food services, we really enjoyed talking with you Charlie! We were waiting for the trolley to take us the Anne Marie Beach.
From Bradenton we motor and grabbed a mooring ball in Sarasota, next day to Cayo Coast and on to Fort Myers.
We saw a few fun names of boats while we were on the water.
FRYEDAZE
HUSHH on a DUFFY ELECTRIC
ALOAN at LAST
ALWAYS HOME belongs to people that are live-a boards.
IRISH WAKE
KNOT GUILTY
Back in Fort Myers for St. Patrick's Day.
Tricia True
