and lots of seashells...here's our take on that theme...and since we collected some now we've got ideas about how to use them...hehehe

We spent most of our day at the Thomas Edison - Henry Ford mansions and museum. Nice lay out, lovely landscaping, and low key homes. Certainly not of the Hearst or Ringling variety. We were amazed at how many people were there. And how old they were...hehehe...Managed to take a few photos worth sharing...

the car reminded me of one owned by my Grandpa. Learned to drive a stick in that ol' Ford Coupe...

Six weeks of boating and Floyd finally took off the watch....and today I must have asked more than once, "what time is it?"...silly me. Now we just need the tan line to disappear....

Dinner last night was "boys do beef". Seafood is great but every now and then the fella needs a steak. That's Pam and Rick across from us.

We have really enjoyed our time in Ft Myers. Lots of people on the dock...all with great stories of places we are going. It has been also good spending time with Rick and Pam...sharing adventures from places we've both been. Floyd and Rick agree that the Chapman's experience is worth it's weight in gold. I second the notion. Not a day goes by that Floyd doesn't comment about something we've done or need to do that he learned at Chapman's. Photos of the marina don't do it justice. It is lovely. Joe's Crab Shack in the distance is a fun place. We are second in from shore, Rick's boat is in the first slot. Headed to a dock potluck dinner tonight. Should be interesting.

Heading out of Sarasota we came to have a new appreciation narrow channels, skinny water, and depth finders. Just when we thought all was good, we came to bridges, bridges, bridges. Low ones, high ones, swing ones, and draw ones...seemed like around every bend was a bridge of some sort. We only had to wait once for about 20 minutes because it only opened every thirty minutes. The rest were a piece of cake and proved an interesting study in bridges.

Saturday in Sarasota was busy, busy, busy. The marina and beach side park was packed. Lots of boat traffic. We anchored in the midtown harbor with at least 15 other boats of various sizes and conditions. Some were real junk heaps which we are sure were inhabited by homeless folks. On Sunday, we took the dinghy in, registered it for the day, and went to the Ringling mansion and museum complex. What a fun place. Our favorite was the miniture circus train and tents...or maybe the private train car for Ringling's travels...no, probably the costumes and cages. The house, the house...winter home to the Ringling's....yes, it was all good.