1.19.15 - A beautiful day at Manasota Beach with a gopher tortoise welcoming committee and wild beach Black Eyed Susan's.
1.21.15 - We went back to Manasota Beach today, however, there was no available parking so we drove down Manasota Key to Blind Pass Beach. It was crowded near the parking lot but just up the beach a bit it was sparsely populated. The air temperature was in the 70's and I went for my first swim of the new year. The water was in the 60's. I found it quite delightful. Allan however was not interested at all in going in.
1.22.15 - Snook Haven Park on the Myakka River has a restaurant that hosts a Banjo Society each Thursday during lunch. Miss Betty our backdoor neighbor joined us for lunch and this fun outing.
1.23.15 - We frequently walk or ride our bikes through our neighborhood Shamrock Park. On this day I found this wild morning glory.
1.23.15 - I am enjoying my experimental Florida raised bed garden. Thus far we have had parsley, thyme, rosemary, lettuce, cukes, radishes, beet greens and spinach.
1.25.15 - The Venetian Waterway Park begins/ends at Shamrock Park which is about 1/3 of a mile from our house. It follows the intracoastal canal for about 4 miles. You can then cross a bridge and it runs along several roads on Venice Island. Or you can ride it to the beginning/end of the Legacy Bike trail that is 10 or so miles long and goes up to Sarasota.
These trails are very popular for bike riders and walkers. I often lead because I am a slower rider than Allan but on this day I got him to go first and am surprised that I was able to get this action shot.
1.26.15 - Miss Betty told us about the Lipizzaner Stallions of Austria Farm in Myakka City. She explained that she and her husband always took company out to see them. I checked it out on- line, we watched the Disney Movie, Miracle Of The White Stallions, (courtesy of the Jacaranda Library) about the Lipizzaners and then we went out. Myakka City is about an hour from Venice. The stables are open for visitors and three days a week they put on "training" shows that last about an hour.
Miss Betty, our informant and Florida Tour Guide, came along for the ride. It was great fun.
1.27.15 - Jelks Preserve is one of the many Sarasota County Parks where we walk and observe nature. This is a view of the Myakka River. Even in winter we have many shades of green and blue.
There are wild boars in most of the area parks. I am pleased to report that we have yet to come face to face with one. They are nocturnal feeders. They create quite a mess rooting around.
This was quite the day for armadillo sitings. We saw three in various locations throughout our walk. This was the final one. I had my camera ready and caught him "sitting" up. Allan had to get his camera up and ready and he went back down onto all fours. However, ever so nicely Allan asked him to sit back up so that he too could get some shots and indeed he did. A most odd but cooperative creature.
1.29.15 - Out for a bike ride and got to watch the Venice Ave. Bridge open up for a sailboat. The two draw bridges along the canal here in Venice are manned during the day. Most boats are able to pass without them having to open.
1.30.15 - The tomato plants have gone crazy. These two plants have taken over much of the middle portion of the garden. I pulled the peas and green bean plants. Both flowered but must not have pollinated because no veggies grew on them.
Sometimes we go down to the beach to watch the sunsets. Sometimes we are home and notice the remnants in the eastern sky right from our own yard as was the case this time. It seems that the eastern sky demonstrates the most color at or just after the actual sun sets in the west.
2.2.15 - Ah, Ground Hog Day! Today we went the South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve which is just a couple miles from our house. Down by the bay we saw these tracks? Groundhog? River Otter? Raccoon? Bobcat???
There are two bridges we cross when we walk in this preserve. On this day we shared one with a bobcat. Here he is just about to turn and saunter off the bridge. I have only seen a bobcat one other time and that was coming across the blueberry barrens on our way home from camp in Beddington many, many years ago.
2.3.15 - Shamrock Park is having some field maintenance done. There is a tractor with a bush hog to the right of the tree. The parks have such maintenance done since mother natures' cycle of wildfires which historically clipped things back is discouraged in residential areas.
2.7.15 - And if and when we want something to do other than walking around or riding our bikes, reading, working on the house or in the gardens there are any number of events scheduled throughout the area. Many events are outdoors such as this display of magnificent creative non-traditional quilts. I am inspired and need to get working on a quilting project.
The quilts were hung among the palms in this seaside park. This was the view from the bench where Allan read while I drooled over the artistry.
2.8.15 - Did I mention chores around the house. We recently purchased this pressure washer. I spent several hours using it to clean our vinyl sided storage shed. I don't think it had been cleaned in the dozen or so years since it was installed. I promised Miss Betty that as long as I live here it will never get that dirty again.
Everyone needs perspective and Jake sent us this photo to give us a snowy dose. Our little house in Hampden has been abandoned for the winter with no heat and no shoveling.
Our little house here in Venice is serving us well.
Here in our little part of Southwest Florida we are considered to be "in season". The beaches, roads and restaurants are crowded. We will be doing our part to add to those situations. We look forward to many of our northern friends and relatives spending various amounts of time with us here beginning next week and ending with Maine's April school vacation. Come on down!
