Saturday, January 29, 2022

Exploring the coast to Sarasota.

29 January 2022

Ft. Myers / Pine Island KOA, St. James, FL

Marc-  Our time had run out on our original campsite so we moved to another more protected site yesterday.  Early this morning, 12:01 a.m., the wind began to gust at 40 miles per hour and made the camper move a bit.  It was time to get up and take in the awning that extends on one side of the camper.  It was acting as a sail catching some of the increasing wind.  All was fine after that.  

It was a cool and sunny day with wind of 20 knots gusting to 30 knots - perfect for an expedition in the truck.  We set out for Burnt Store Marina to check out its facilities for future use.  This was a very nice marina well protected in a man made harbor in the middle of a high end housing development.  Our next stop was Sarasota downtown.  We parked at the harbor park next to the large marina.  This large facility is right next to all of the shops and restaurants downtown.  There is even a Whole Foods within walking distance.  We found a great brunch place called "First Watch" on Main Street and Pineapple Street.


Art is larger than life here in Sarasota.


We drove North to the barrier islands.  Long Boat Key was terrific with white sand beaches, colorful housing, and it was the Island Sue's grandparents came to during the winter back when Sarasota was home to Red Sox Spring Training.  The old baseball stadium has been re-made since then and is now the winter home to the Baltimore Orioles.  Most of the afternoon was spent at the John & Mable Ringling Museum, also known as "The Ringling."  There is a museum for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus, there is the John & Mable Ringling mansion, and a most impressive Ringling Art Museum (primarily 16th through 20 century European paintings including many paintings from Peter Paul Rubens). 















Moonlight Bridge.
















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