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Published: February 23rd 2008
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Sarasota, Florida - Feb. 5, 2008
Tuesday, Feb. 5 - Our flight into Fort Myers was uneventful. The Schooner was right where we left it in the long term lot at the airport. Nice not to have to take a cab to an RV storage area. We headed for Sarasota. Sun ‘n Fun is just that - bright sunshine and a fun Mardi Gras atmosphere!
Wednesday / Thursday - Pool, hot tubs and lots of reading on Wednesday until we drove into Sarasota to catch a sunset at Bayfront Park and snacks at O’Leary’s Tikki Bar (we had learned about O’Leary’s from a New York Times Travel article on Sarasota). More pool and books on Thursday and then a Big Band Concert in the courtyard at the Ringley Art Museum in the evening. It was so wonderful -a starry night, party atmosphere, all set surrounded by Italian statuary and dominated front and center by a full size cast copper exact replica of Michelangelo’s David. The price for lawn seats was only $7.50; we brought snacks and our folding chairs with us and bought wine there. We danced on a footbridge above the stage. The music was wonderful - that is until
they “murdered” The Beatles’ when I’m Sixty-Four; which, as many of you know, some of us have a particular reason to have as one of our favorite songs this year. We headed for Marina Jack’s on the Downtown Sarasota Bayfront for a drink and snacks. It was too dewy to sit outside; but we enjoyed the piano bar music inside - this is a great restaurant complex - fine dining, casual dining, deck and even dinner cruises on the bay - great food, great view.
Friday: the rapid rat-a-tat-tat on The Schooner’s roof could only mean rain. We have a rain plan that included the Ringling Art Museum. MANY others had the same idea and the line for tix wound out the door. So, we responded to someone from the Museum’s “Development Office” and took her up on her offer of membership - we got to skip to the “members” line, get free tix, guest passes, a great book about circus parades, and discounts at the restaurant and gift shop. We had been to this museum before and this time wanted to focus on the two special exhibits - a wonderful collection of Grandma Moses paintings, so warm and harmonious
with nature; and an intense collection of prints by Jacob Lawrence, so dark and thought provoking. Both were very powerful. We lightened up at lunch at the Treviso restaurant on the Ringling Grounds. Restaurant is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Nice, very fresh, imaginative menu; we’ll be back.
Friday night: Back to the Ringling, this time for a play in the historic Asolo Theatre. The Banyan Theatre Company was staging a rather difficult two-person show, “The Unexpected Man.” The acting was wonderful - the theatre itself is a gem (taken apart from its ancient Italian original site, purchased by John Ringling, and recently restored to its full former elegance). Just gorgeous; a jewel box! We went downtown for a bite at Patrick’s after the show. We like this downtown. This had been “Art Night” many galleries and shops were open; lots of restaurants, well maintained, lots f people about which always helps us feel secure.
We eat out a lot; but are really eating healthy with all of the fresh fruit available especially luscious strawberries, grapefruit, and oranges. An Amish run Farmers Market near Sun n Fun keeps us well supplied.
Saturday: A car show -
mostly stunning Italian sports cars, some shopping at St. Armond’s Circle, a great Cuban lunch at the Columbia Restaurant, and a tour of the amazing Long Boat Key Beaches. On Sunday, we lolled on Siesta Key Beach with our books, went to Turtle Bay Café for lunch, explored the Turtle Bay RV Park (small somewhat primitive park right on the beach, and again following the New York Times Sarasota story, stopped off for the topper of the whole trip - the Siesta Key Beach Sunday Sunset Drum Circle. Do not miss this if you are in the Sarasota area on a Sunday. All ages of people dancing to the beat of the bongos as a score of hippie-ish drummers drummed. Very colorful fun in what turned out to be the last night of our trip.
We changed our plans and flew home because of a family situation. We were so gratified by the way that SouthWest Airlines, car rental services and RV parks holding two weeks worth of reservations all treated our need to change plans so kindly. Deposits were even credited to our Visa cards. No one took advantage!
We plan to resume our trip after Easter. The Schooner
is literally “planted” at New Episode Thoroughbred Training Facility in Ocala. Stay tuned as call upon our extended AAA coverage to get it free of the mud. The Schooner's view, next to the hay barn, with mares and foals romping on an adjacent farm and yearlings and two year olds playing “let’s herd up” in Tony and Elizabeth Everhardt’s near-by paddocks are quite a sight. Dinner was a return to Horse & Hound, Ocala, sort of a “cheers” bar with white linen table cloths. The dress code was jodhpurs and boots!
The direct flight from Tampa to Albany landed us in Manchester, NH because of a snow storm. The plane re-fueled, Albany got plowed and we got home a few hours late. The Southwest pilot gave us a remarkably sooth landing in some very rough weather.
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