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. 
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.
The ball room has an elaborate ceiling of danceing pairs from all parts of the world.
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.
There are several workshops where volunteers work in building and restoring circus gear.
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. 
the man who made the miniature circus.
Scale is 3/4 inch equals 1 foot.
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.
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. 
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.
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. 
Private, quiet with very nice facilities.
Among the nicest of our whole trip.
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.
Sunset from our boat.
great pics and blog
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