We left home the morning of the first of January. We drove to just south of Atlanta Ga. to spend the night. We had snow on the ground all of the way through Illinois, then it gradually disappeared. It felt strange going OVER the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers. In the past few months we had been UNDER all of these same bridges and moving at a much leisurely pace.
We arrived back in Gulfport, FL the end of the day on the 2nd. We decided to spend a few more days in Gulfport with the rent a car and get ready for our continued trip South. Cindy spent a couple of days cleaning the boat, while I changed oil in the engines, (28 quarts in each one) and did a few other preventative maintenance items.
Every first Friday of the month Gulfport has an art fair with local artisans displaying their crafts and creations from afternoon into the evening. We sampled some home made fudge and chose the raspberry chocolate, yum.
While we were home I signed up for the small vessel reporting system (SMVS) which will allow us to reenter the US from both the Bahamas and Canada bypassing some of the red tape of Customs and Immigration. I previously had registered the boat and received a DTOPS sticker (Decal and Transponder Online Procurement System). the SMVS requires you to present yourself and your passport to a customs agent to get totally entered into the system. We went to the airport at St. Petersburg and did that.
I also registered the boat in Florida for a year. The Florida boating laws only let you stay in Florida up to 90 days at a time without being registered. They have a special registration for out of state registered boats that doesn't require getting a title or paying taxes. So, to be safe, I went ahead and got the registration. I figured that any law enforcement that sees the sticker will not be as apt to pull us over and check everything.
We did some sight-seeing while we had the car as well.
Cindy's Observations: Since we were so close to St Petersburg we took a drive to see the pier. The shape of the pier is an inverted pyramid. Only valet parking is permitted on the pier so we walked across and read the informative environmental life and aquatic life signs along the walkway. We had lunch on the 2nd floor and went topside to observe the overview of Tampa Bay. From this picture you see below. we viewed the city.
Leaving the pier, I noticed these palm trees with ferns growing in the frond stems. I wondered if these were the invasive vine ferns listed on the info signs on the pier.
After the pier we proceeded to St Pete Beach over the Treasure Island Bridge which is the bridge we passed under from Gulfport by boat. The clouds were overtaking the sun, so this was our best shot of the beach.
Back at Gulfport we dined at a Tex Mex place having black bean nachos and the best Sangria we have had yet.
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| St Pete Beach |
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| Tex-Mex!! |
Cindy"s Observations: We had crossed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge by car on the way to Bradenton to see Snooty, the oldest living manatee born in captivity. At 64 years of age he weighs 1200 pounds and eats 80 pounds a day. He does simple tricks for tastier food such as carrots, kale, cabbage and collards. Lettuce is his main diet. Average age for a wild manatee is 5-7 years. They are very susceptible to cold temperatures and red tide. We also stepped into the museum and planetarium at the South Florida Museum. We learned about the stellar constellation Orion and his "arm pit" stars. The museum had several categories of state and natural history. Very nicely done dioramas and great artifact presentations were abundant.
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| Sunshine Skyway Bridge |
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| Snooty |
We left Gulfport on the 8th. I returned the rental car the evening before, so we could get an early start. We pumped out and topped off the fuel before we left. Not the cheapest fuel but I feel better with the tanks full when we start out. The goal for the day was to make it to Sarasota and tie up in the mooring field there. It would be our first attempt to do that. We have watched some pretty frightening videos on U-tube of people trying to do just that.
While we were crossing Tampa Bay, I was looking at the AIS to see what traffic was out there and I noticed a familiar name. NANSEANN was only a couple of miles ahead of us. They were moving a little faster than we but following the same line and going in the same direction. I gave them a call on the radio and found out that they were going to the same marina. They had booked a slip however, instead of a mooring ball. Having pets makes that a necessity for some people. Some animals just don't like dinghy rides to shore. (Floyd and Linda - going to require extra training for the new guy).
We only traveled 30 miles to Sarasota to the mooring field. Cindy had called ahead and reserved a mooring ball. They told us to take ball #2. Now all we need to do is find it. Then comes the hard part, hooking on!!
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| FOUND IT!!!! |
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| Entrance to Marina Jacks |
We decided to stay an extra day in Sarasota to see some sights and to give me time to plan the next stop. It would need to be an anchorage, and one that was fairly easy to get in and out of because of the depth and tides.
Cindy"s Observations: Another first for us went exceptionally well, catching a mooring ball. The pendant floated well and I was able to hook it on the first attempt. The rope was clean from any barnacles or oysters so threading my line was easy. Larry maneuvered the boat like a pro easing up to the ball.
A past looper boat was also moored here and came over by dinghy to ask about our journey. Gerald and Joann finished their loop 2 years ago on a trawler from Annapolis, MD and invited us over to their boat for more evening conversation. First we had to catch up to NANSEANN whom we hadn't talked to since crossing. We soon decided to stay an extra day and see a few points of interest. plus visit with Nancy and Rick another afternoon.
First thing to find is the visitor center for information on the bus routes. We have become familiar with this method of transportation and accept the locals who board these mobile refuges. For a few $s it's a deal.
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| "Unconditional Surrender" |
Cindy's Observations: Not far from our marina stands this 27 ft aluminium statue of "The Unconditional Surrender Kiss". The picture from which the statue derives was taken in New York City V J Day 1945 by Victor Jorgensen. A motorist drove her Mercedes into the Sailors leg and broke it in spring 2012. The 15,000 pound statue had to be sent to New Jersey for a cast to be made (no pun intended) for repairs. The "medical bill" was $125,000. It returned to Sarasota after several months (of healing) December 2012.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Estate
was our main point of interest for the day. The palatial mansion was designed to emulate the grandeur of the Venice's Doge's Palace and the famous minaret of the Giralda Tower of Seville in Spain. The estate covers 66 acres. Completed in 1926 it is the largest historical mansion on Floridas' west coast. There are 8 bedroom suites and 5 bathrooms.
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| Ca' d' Zan - House of John |
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| Waterfront View |
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| Grand Parlor |
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| Collections |
Walking threw the grounds was similar to a stroll in a botanical garden.. Several trails led to mini gardens within the park like estate. I could have walked and feasted my eyes upon the lush flora and fauna all afternoon. I have limited myself to a few shots in this regard..
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| Mable's Rose Garden 28,909 sq ft |
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| pathway from the rose garden |
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| One of the ponds |
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Museum showcases the
"GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH"
In the Tibbal's Learning Center a miniature replica of the tented city at its largest is displayed.
It starts with the circus' 101 car train rolling into the station pre-dawn hours to transform a bare lot into a circus city. Approximately 1300 performers and crew, along with the strength of the animals, hoist the big top tents and set the stage within a matter of hours. Three meals were served a day with a grocery list that would rival that of a cruise ship.
After the last performing act, the tents were packed and all wagons were filled and loaded back onto the train. Its hard to imagine all this took place in one day. On to the next town, to prepare and present the next, 'Greatest Show On Earth'
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| Miniature Train Station |
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| Miniature Circus |
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| Miniature Circus |
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
was opened in 1931 to showcase the masterpieces of Rubens. van Dyck and Titan to name a few. Here again, I had to limit pictures to include. There are 4 Rubens which are spectacular.
Upon John's death, he left his entire estate to the people of the state of Florida.
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| Rubens Gallery |
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| Giuseppe Arcimboldo Allegorical Head Representing Summer c 1600-20 |
In 2000. the state of Florida transferred stewardship of the estate to Florida State University. The legacy of John and Mable Ringling continues to educate and grow today.
