HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

               


                  One of our adventures in this episode was checking out the Myakka  State Park.
                   Pronounced      " My - ak - a
                  We were told this would be a good place to see alligators.  This is usually the
                  case and we did see a few but not a lot.  We also walked the "Canopy Trail".
                   A few pictures of our exploring.

The 76.1 foot tower that you can climb up

Hello Down There ---We're going up the tower

                 

On the Canopy Trail back to the tower.

At the top of the tower you walked across this somewhat of a
suspension bridge.  It did sway somewhat & only 4 people
at a time are suppose to be on the bridge.
Definitely not as bad as a real suspension bridge.



 

 

Sarasota was home to John & Mabel Ringling. They

Started the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Bros circus.

They had no children, so when they died they willed

their estate to the city of Sarasota.  Relatives contested

the will but Sarasota was awarded the property that

is VERY PRIME PROPERTY right on the waterfront.

Although Sarasota was awarded the property, they had

no money to maintain it so it sat for 50 years

deteriorating.  The city then gave the property to

Florida State University.  It took them several years

but they have made it as original as possible including

flooring and every piece of furniture is original.  They

even went to companies and had upholstery made like

original.  Mabel had photos taken of everything so

that's how they were able to make it like original. 

 

 

This is Mansion water side

 

The buildings in the far background are

Longboat Key

 

 

 

This is the front of the Mansion

 

 

 

You start the tour of the Mansion at the far

doors in the other room.

 

The chandelier in this room came from the

Waldorf Astoria in New York City.  Mabel

bought it when the Hotel was being tore down

to build the Empire State Building.  Mabel

was a world traveler and made many trips to

Italy.  She loved the Venetian style architecture,

so that is the style they built.   They only used

this house for the winters.  She only lived in

it for 3 winters, then fell ill and died.

 

 

                                                 Another look at the chandelier.  There is
                                                          an upstairs that you can tour too.

                                                                               
                                                                                   
                                                                                 

                                                 This is the entrance to the circus museum



                                             Inside the museum there is a circus display that
                                             one man built from scratch.  Every little detail
                                             was made by hand.  It took him a year to do and
                                             these few pictures do not do the display justice.
                                             I really can't believe for all he did it only took a
                                             year.
                                             If you are in Sarasota this would be a stop to put
                                             on your to do list.
            

 

 Muriel right inside the front entrance

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Before

 

 

 

After

 

 

 

 

This past Thursday we went to Plant City to meet

with some couples that we had been in a motorhome

club with.  We ate lunch at Outback, THEN we

went to Parksdale  Market.  They have a

variety of produce, but the main draw is the fresh

strawberries.   They have quite a gold mine selling

the strawberry shortcake.   You can have it anyway

you like.  Just strawberries, strawberries & shortcake,

strawberries with ice cream & whipped cream.  So

we went for broke!  (now be nice, I only had

                          a salad for lunch.)

Now don't get excited, they said there were no calories!

Gotta believe!!!

 

 

 

 

                                       Speaking of believing, I believed we were coming to
                                       Florida to have fun in the SUN & sun to me means warm.
                                                          Check out the photo below !

 

Yep that's the fireplace he's sitting in front of.

It has been chilly in the mornings, windy

during the day & cool again in the evening.

And running the furnace overnight!

      What's up with this!!  

We celebrated Valentines early by going out tonight

EARLY to beat the rush.  Found a really good

restaurant about 2 miles from us.  Looked interesting

so we went down to try it out.  Even got a window

seat by the water since we were EARLY. 

 

 





                                                                                     

                                                                                              

                                                                               

                                                                                

                                                                                     

                                                                                        

We both had Grouper just in different forms

I usually get fried but I tried it blackened.

DELICIOUS !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We do have to do some work while we are here.

Living in the motorhome it gets dirty just like

the house at home, so last weekend was cleaning

day.  

 

Took up the carpets, pushed in the couch and

used the steam mop we got at the camper

show.   Didn't think the floor could be THAT

dirty, but at least I know it's clean now.

 

 

While I mopped Kent drew dusting duty.

One thing about it, it took time to clean but

not near as long as home.

 

 

 

      


                                                                         

                                                       Leaving you with pleasant thoughts
                                                       
                                                            Have a wonderful Valentines

                                                                  From Sunny Florida

                                                                        Kent & Martha