The Gulf Coast

 

 

Shimmering water, sand, and sea birds. This is laid back Florida.

 

 

As we make our way south, we slow down to enjoy the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast.

Having never been on this side of Florida by boat, I am impressed by the open expanse of empty beaches and the abundance of herons, ospreys, gulls, and cormorants.

South of Sarasota, we pull into the Palm Island Marina on the Intracoastal near the town of Cape Haze.

We were treated like royalty, sitting by the pool and jacuzzi, sipping drinks from the bar (free beer on Saturdays), and listening to live music.

Now this feels like a vacation!

 

 

Working our way south, our next stop was Tween Waters Inn and Marina on the island of Captiva.

 

 

For years, this has been a favorite place of Floridians and Snowbirds with it's miles of white sand beach, two restaurants, pool and scattered cottages. This is old Florida.

There were three loopers here so we biked the small town, went for ice cream and enjoyed each other's company.

That evening, the resort hosted a cocktail party for guests by the pool, and our friends on Sea Gypsy, Paper Moon, and Jackets II, enjoyed prime rib night at the Crows Nest Restaurant. A farewell dinner as we all move on our way in the morning.

As the sun came up over Captiva Island, we all head out to new destinations with memories of good times.
 

 

and fun places.

Sarasota's Circus Museum

The “largest miniature circus in the world” was created over a 50-year time span by master model builder and philanthropist Howard C. Tibbals of Tennessee and Florida.

The Howard Bros. Circus, complete with eight main tents, 152 wagons, 1,300 circus performers and workers, more than 800 animals and a 57-car train, is on permanent display in the Ringling Circus Museum. The Howard Bros. Circus is a ¾-inch-to-the-foot scale replica of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus when the tented circus was at its largest (circa 1919-1938), and occupies 3,800 square feet in the 30,600 sq. ft. 

This poster describes the unloading of the circus from hundreds of train cars as depicted in miniature.

This is a recreation of the Big Top and side shows, complete with vendors and lights.

 

 

 

This is a steam driven whistle calliope, Bob's new passion.

Sarasota's Ringling Museum and Mansion

During his lifetime, John Ringling, along with his wife Mabel, used their fortune to build a beautiful Venetian mansion and art collection in Sarasota, Florida.

Their estate was bequeathed to the State of Florida, in hopes that Sarasota would become a cultural travel destination.

The State neglected the property, but in 2000 it was turned over to Florida State University and has been restored.

With funds raised by the University, a new Visitor's Center, featuring a museum about the circus, was added to the large estate, which already offered the art museum, the Ringling's lavish home, and the grounds with a rose garden.

As with any personal collection, the assorted pieces of art and artifacts are an idiosyncratic mixture, from notable pieces by the Old Masters to Cypriot antiques.

 

 

The mansion, or Ca d'Zan (House of John), is something out of the Great Gatsby. The house has been restored to the elegance it held during the Ringling's era.

 

 John and Mable would be proud of the legacy that they have endowed to the public as we can only imagine elegance and romance of this bygone era.

St. Pete

The cosmopolitan city of St. Petersburg has long been known for its scenic bayfront and renowned art museums.

Thanks to the city's charter, the bayfront can’t be developed so it’s perfect for walking or bicycling.

The city was co-founded by John C. Williams from Detroit, and Peter Demens, who was instrumental in bringing the railroad there in 1888. It was named after Saint Petersburg, Russia, where Peter Demens had spent half of his youth.

With 361 days of sun a year and a full spectrum of things to see and do, the Sunshine City (as it’s nicknamed) is one of Florida’s most visited destinations.

The Museum of Fine Arts showcases works by Monet, Gauguin, Renoir, O’Keeffe and others. 

 

In recent years, lively downtown St. Pete has also emerged as a hot spot for shopping, museums, dining, nightlife and entertainment.

In fact, it reminds me of Coconut Grove and South Beach.

Just down the street, the Chihuly Collection presented by Morean Arts Center features some of the most brilliant and intricate creations of famous glass artist Dale Chihuly.

The largest fresh market in the southeast U.S. is open every Saturday, featuring over 130 diverse vendors with a large variety of delicious food and live music.

I bought horseradish pickles and Thai dumplings. What a place!

This guy would move every five minutes and play a song for tips.

The iconic Dali Museum displays Salvador Dali’s work in a stunning, surreal new building with a flowing geodesic dome known as the “Enigma.”

The views from inside the dome are fantastic.

 

And the view from outside isn't bad either!