January in Sarasota

Today's side trip

We have done a lot of fun things in Sarasota, but we decided not to stop yet.  Today we went to Mote Marine Aquarium and aquatic research center.  Mote has locations all around Florida for research, but the headquarters and Aquarium are here, on Longboat Key, just across Sarasota Bay.

There are a number of beautiful aquariums with exotic fish and sea life.  Outdoors there is a huge shark tank and another deep-water lagoon for dolphins.  There are also exhibits for manatee and sea turtles.  It was a fun way to spend an afternoon.

I have spent many hours visiting Mom at the assisted living center, and going to lunch or out shopping with my sister Mary.  We have also become adept at cooking good healthy meals on board.  We use the grill several times a week, we keep a pantry of easy to cook and canned foods and we stop frequently for produce and dairy goods.  This week I tried baking cookies in the oven – which turned out to be a challenge.  More honestly they turned out burned on the bottom.  Guess we haven’t mastered that oven yet. 

Tomorrow we have a diver coming to inspect the bottom of the boat.  Dennis has been busy with lots of projects such as painting porthole trim and whipping the ends of boat lines.

Carol's iPhone Movie

Music, Music, everywhere

Brandon, the Irish Folk Singer

We have had a most fun weekend.  Friday evening we went to the Hideaway Lounge in St. Petersburg with Al and Charli for an evening of folk singers.  There was a  Key West/ Jimmy Buffett kind of singer, a blues man from Chicago and, our favorite, an Irish folk singer from…..Ireland.  The place was an intimate little venue, more than a bar, not quite a restaurant, with live entertainment every week.  Really excellent entertainment. 

Steve sings Jazz, Brandon Irish tunes, Dave Key West Songs

Saturday Dennis and Al worked on Al’s boat dock and Charlie and I stayed out of their way.  We went to an Art Fair on Main Street in Dunedin and saw a bagpiper in the park, playing for young Scottish dancers.  Then we went to lunch where there was an Elvis style singer.   I even got to visit the largest quilt store in Florida – no music, but it made me smile.

Today we went out to Clearwater Beach in Bob’s fast boat and had lunch at the Rockaway Grill.  We also had a nice walk on the beach and some Ice Cream. Not bad for a January day.   Finally, I got to visit with Mom and tell her all about our latest adventures. Just a couple more weeks in Sarasota before we continue with the Great Loop.  We are starting to communicate with other boaters who are out in front of us, or who may catch up to us before we get to the Keys.

Dunedin is north of Clearwater and south of Tarpon Springs

Bagpiper at the Art Festival

Launching Bob's boat, Joan in the foreground

Eating Ice Cream at the Beach, in January

Culture in Sarasota

Staying in the same marina for a month, and having access to a car, means you can take advantage of what the city has to offer.  Yesterday we spent most of the day at the various Ringling Museums.  There is a grand art museum, the venetian gothic home of John and Mable Ringling, and a wonderful circus museum – all on 66 acres of beautiful bayfront gardens on Sarasota Bay.  Definitely worth a day or two to see it all.

I also went to see Selby Gardens, a lovely botanical garden and mansion, with Mary, Natalie and Sara.  The purpose was to scout out a wedding site with niece Sara.  What a lovely way to spend an afternoon.  Mission accomplished, she has reserved a beautiful venue for June of 2015. 

Next week we have tickets for a show at the Van Wezel performing arts center and meanwhile we enjoy all the public sculpture and art in this city.

Over the holidays we went to an advent organ recital in a classic old Episcopal church, given by a famous organist.  We also enjoyed the music at a Lutheran church we have been visiting and the Mannheim Steamroller concert in Universal Orlando – we got the Christmas spirit from many sources.  Tiki bar musicians are a regular event – and part of the all around boating culture.

Large Mural in Circus Museum entrance

Tibbets Circus Scale Model, Dressing Room Women

Side Show Tent

Circus Parade Wagon, The Band would sit ontop

Ceiling painting above the dance floor

John and Mabel Ringling Residence Living Room

The Tap Room

Exterior Tower

Ringling Home Exterior

Gardens at the Ringling Art Museum

Happy New Year

Many fun side trips over the past couple of weeks a flat tire, an organ concert, Children’s Christmas Program at Church, Christmas with family, Turducken, visits with Carol’s mom, Packer football games(Yeah! Ouch!!), dog walks and falls, DrumCircle Rum Distillery tour, house shopping in Port Charlotte and the Florida weather. Lots of fun. 

Betty and Evie at Christmas

Time to change the tire

Architectural Salvage Yard Trip

Imperfect Christmas Pagent, "Where's the  baby?"

DrumCircle Distillery

Christmas at the Distillery

Tony Roberts CEO and Founder pours for Eliot

The Florida Family at Breakfast

Packers Beat Chicago, we go crazy!!!!

Carol and Eliot enjoy the Packer Game

Turducken, Turkey stuffed with Duck stuffed with Chicken

Carol's Jambalaya, Great Meal!!!!

A friend on a post

Lots of Wind and a weather front today