Nov 19-21, Sarasota, FL

We moved from Bradenton another 30 miles south through the protected waters of the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway (GIWW) to Sarasota.

We pass by Ca d'Zan, the Ringling home in Sarasota, as we motor along going south. Stunning sight from the water.

Our marina the first night is Marina Jack, a large city owned marina, located right downtown on the mainland side (east) side of the waterway almost at the foot of the causeway leading to Longboat Key, St Armands Circle and all those expensive Arvida developed residential properties that make Sarasota famous.

Sarasota mainland skyline.

Approaching Marina Jack.

Preparing to dock at Marina Jack.

We visited the 66 acre Ringling Museum complex just north of town. The entire property was willed by John Ringling to the State of Florida upon his death in 1936. Property includes the Ringling home, Ringling Museum of Art, Ringling Museum of the American Circus, miniature circus display, gardens and performing arts center. What a property!

Our first stop was Ringling home, a 36,000 square foot home designed as a Venetian Palace, complete with the origonal furniture, that has been beautifully maintained. Designed by New York architect James Baum, the home was finished in 1926.

Ca d'Zan from the front.

Spectacular living room is two stories high.

Ceiling detail makes use of stencils.

The ball room has an elaborate ceiling of danceing pairs from all parts of the world.

Game Room Ceiling.
John and Mable Ringling appear in Venetian Carnival costume.

Our next stop was the Circus Museum which is preserving and showing the various items that were used in making the circus.

Clown costume.

Human cannon.

Emmett Kelly clown gear.

There are several workshops where volunteers work in building and restoring circus gear.

Shop building a camel.

Finished tiger.

John and Mable Ringling's first private Railroad Car built by the Pullman Company in 1905.

Next we visit a minerature circus. The Howard Brothers Circus is a replica of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919-1938. Complete with 8 main tents, 152 wagons, 1300 circus performers and workers, more than 800 animals and a 159 car train all at a 3/4 inch to the foot scale. The model occupies 3800 square feet and is estimated to contain some 40,000-50,000 individual pieces. The 'Worlds largest miniature circus', was created over a period of 50 years by master model builder and philanthropist Howard Tibbals.

Howard Tibbals,
the man who made the miniature circus.

Midway.
Scale is 3/4 inch equals 1 foot.

Big Top.
Figures are about 4-4.5 inches tall.

The Ringling Museum of Art (also on the property) houses a large collection of Italian paintings and sculptures.

Ringling Museum of Art grounds and buildings.

Sculpture garden features a bronze 'David'.

Marina Jack is a very nice facility in a central location. It is very nice to have a car with s to see the sights as almost everything is beyond convenient walking distance.

View from our boat at sunset.

Morning view of KOKOMO II and Marina Jack.

Tourist boat with palm trees on top.

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota showcases epiphytes (plants that grow in trees) - orchids, bromeliads, ferns and aroids. There is a koi pond, bonsai and pleasant walkways with all the plants and trees labeled. We asked about the Koviachi orchid from Peru but it is not here.

Interesting bromeliads.

Place your head inside and hummmm - it resonates through your whole body. Neat.

Koi pond.

Waterfall and gong.

Our second night we moved 4 miles south to the Field Club, a private Yacht and Tennis Cub that is located on the property of the former home of Stanley Field, part of the family of Marshall Fields.

Field Club.
Private, quiet with very nice facilities.
Among the nicest of our whole trip.

Field Club from the street. Probably drove through the gate house to enter the estate.

The origonal Field home and gate house have been preserved and tennis courts added. The complex is beautiful and we feel very away from the hustle and bustle of Sarasota.

Field Club.
Sunset from our boat.