We took Ma to Manasota Beach to enjoy the sunset. We might have been a bit early... It was windy and a bit chilly for her. She did seem to enjoy her book as we walked the beach.
We were not disappointed by the sunset.
5.2.15 - Seeing Double
Ma and I met up with twins, Andy and Ann on the Manatee River in Ellenton. We are all very excited that our date to the "big dance" is getting close.
5.3.15 - Lemon Bay Perserve and Lipizzan Stallions
Andy and Ann were good sports and hiked out through the jungle to get a morning view of Lemon Bay with Allan and I. While we were there Allan spotted these "rare birds" and just had to get a picture.
Later in the day we traveled to Myakka City to watch the Royal Lipizzan Stallions.
Jake wanted to keep us in touch with how things were looking at our little Maine house and so he sent this to us. Nice to know that there is much less snow than the last time he sent us a picture.
During our visit we got to wander in the barn and around the grounds as well as watch these magnificent stallions during their practice session.
4.4.15 - Shark Tooth Searching and Alligator Hunting
No visit to South Venice is complete without a trip to a nearby beach and a look for fossilized shark teeth. Andy and I had great fun and found a few. She had gotten a large blister on one of her heals and so was wearing her sneakers to keep the bandage on and the sand out. I'm not sure if she owns a bathing suit since Patten Bay in Surry, Maine is rarely, if ever, warm enough for anyone to take a swim.
Ann mostly tried to finish her book.
Later in the day we went to Snook Haven for lunch and a ride on the Myakka River in search of alligators. On this warm day there were no alligators to be seen but we this family of sunbathing river cooters.
Ma's favorite, UConn was there, Andy and Ann's favorite team, Tennessee, was not there so they were rooting for anyone except Connecticut. Rebekah and I were just overjoyed to be there to watch the ladies from South Carolina, Notre Dame, Maryland and Connecticut.
Ma was eager to get inside out of the heat. The folks at the Amalie Arena were in no particular hurry to let her in.
After a bit they did let us in, along with a throng of other fans.
And just what was Ma's hurry to get in really about? Many thanks go to her niece Courtney who treated all of us with passes to the VIP lounge. Guess Ma knew that tasty food and a cool Bud Light was waiting for her. She does like her Bud Light on a hot day.
Andy and Ann enjoyed the VIP treatment of food and drink but were thrilled to meet and get a picture with Tamika Catchings a player from yesteryear with Pat Summit's, Tennessee Volunteers. She also was an All-Star player with the WNBA Indiana Fever.
Yes, we were seated at the top of the arena near the middle and, I mean the very top of the arena! This location has it's advantages. Whenever you stand up you aren't blocking anyone's view. And another advantage was that the VIP lounge was on the landing very close to the stairs to our section.
Rebekah isn't one for wanting to be included in pictures but she was willing to take this shot for us.
Notre Dame just managed to get past South Carolina 66 - 65. Connecticut had an easier go of it with Maryland 81 - 58. The match-up for the final was set.
4.6.15 - Sanibel Island with Kate
For many years Andy and I taught at the Mountain View School in Sullivan, Maine with Kate. All three of us have recently retired.
Andy, Ann and I drove down to Sanibel Island to have lunch and visit with Kate. Kate and husband Bill were there for a few days then were traveling on to Key Largo, which is their favorite Florida spot.
We drove up to Tampa in time to check into our hotel prior to the game. Rebekah was our chauffeur for our game travels both days. We may have been squished into our little old Subaru but we had a great chauffeur. Ma's handicapped tag came in handy but there was still plenty of walking and stair climbing involved.
Tip off for the finals Notre Dame vs Connecticut. We were up high but the view was great.
Notre Dame stayed with them but in the end were no match for Geno Auriemma and the Connecticut Huskies who won another championship 63 to 53.
This particular basketball fan was pleased that her team won (again) but wasn't all that ready to leave the scene.
All of us had the time of our life and I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to experience these games with my friends and family.
Rebekah got us back to the hotel after the game. She and I went to the bar for a nightcap. Along the way we came across some interesting memorabilia... They had a Hulk Hogan themed restaurant that we had to walk through to get to the Tiki Bar.
Dave Page, I will give you the name of the hotel if you ever find yourself in Tampa!
While at the bar I inquired what time Rebekah planned to get up to catch the shuttle to the Tampa airport in the morning. She had a good plan but... let's just say that she overslept and I woke her up about 1 1/2 hours before her morning flight. In five minutes she was out the door and assured me that if she couldn't get the shuttle she would take a taxi to the nearby airport. She checked in with her father upon arrival in DC. She made her flight. That's my girl! I'll bet she even made it to work by 2 pm, her start time.
A bit later it was time for me to take over behind the wheel. I got Ma and the twins to the St. Petersburg airport and back to Maine they went. I spent the day in the area wandering around and reading for hours at IKEA. Later that evening I picked Dianne Waters up at the St. Petersburg airport and we made it back to Venice.
4.15.15 - Sandhill Cranes - Hampden, ME
On this day we were driving to a hiking spot and spotted a Sandhill Crane family. They wouldn't stay close enough together so that I could get a complete family photo. Not sure if this is Mom or Dad with the young ones. This was the first and only time we have seen Sandhill Crane babies.
Jake sent another picture and the snow is dwindling! That is quite a two week change in snow coverage. Looks promising!
4.21.15 - At the "Trop" with Miss Betty
Allan and I brought our backdoor neighbor Miss Betty with us to a Rays vs Red Sox game at Tropicana Field. She is as much of a Rays fan as Ma is a Red Sox fan. I promised her that when the Red Sox weren't playing the Rays I would root for the Rays...
Since Miss Betty uses a wheelchair whenever there is much walking involved we wanted to get there early to sort out parking and navigate into the park. Guess we must have thought such a huge indoor park would have a big crowd. Boy were we confused.
Miss Betty guessed that there were about 14,000 and after looking in the paper the next day to see if they listed the attendance figures it turns out she was only off by about 200 or so. She thought it was about average attendance for the Rays and just can't imagine how the Sox draw 34,000 for their home games.
Raymond was pretty entertaining but he's no WALLY!
We knew all along that there would be at least one victorious fan in the car on the ride back. It turned out to be two happy fans. The Sox won 1-0. Miss Betty is a good sport to put up with us and our Sox. Currently I think the Rays/Sox record for this year is Rays 4 and Sox 2. She just may get the last smile yet in this rivalry.
4.24.15 - Sunset Dining
Dianne Waters and Cathy Tracy, along with Cathy's brother-in-law, and her sister Cheryl, joined Allan, Terry and I for a delightful sunset dinner in Englewood at Snook's Bayside Bar and Grill. this was our first time there and we will be sure to go again another year.
4.25-26.15 - Metzler Sibling Weekend
Allan's sister Terry rented a house here for the month of April. She was just down the street. It was great fun having her here. We went to the beach, checked out thrift shops, had her over for dinner, went to the movies...
She invited their sister Elvira and her friend Sal down for a weekend. They live in Georgia.
Their birth order is Elvira, on the left, Terry, on the right and baby Allan. They are not "Royals" but guess their folks liked the royal approach to naming babies. Elvira is named for her mother, Terry is named for her grandmother and Allan is a named for his dad.
Sal is restricted to a wheelchair much of the time so Terry had to keep that in mind when she planned their time here. We went to Service Park Beach where there is a boardwalk to the beach with picnic tables off to the side. We were able to get the picnic area closest to the beach so Sal was able to have a view.
It was a hot day but not really much of a beach day however, we thought that Elvira should stick her toes into the Gulf. She is a good sport.
4.28.15 - Concert in Clearwater
Allan and I ventured up to the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater to attend a concert featuring Shemekia Copeland and Robert Cray.
The theatre seats about 750 and we love the view from the balcony. We drove up via St. Pete's Beach and passed several of the spots where we have had fun with our Mildhog Friends. We dined at Backwater's on Sand Key with a view of the intracoastal and had a nice walk along Clearwater Beach and out onto the pier before the concert.
4.29.15 - Myakka River State Park
We had been meaning to go to this park but had never gotten there. Terry convinced us to go with her. First we stopped at the Visitor Center and checked out the wildlife exhibits and a few introductory videos. Next we saw five alligators in one location from our vantage point from a bridge. There was also this pair of Sandhill Cranes. One of them did quite a hissing, squawking number to the 'gator closest to the edge of the water. I am not sure that the 'gator was all that impressed but he didn't bother the birds.
A photo that is a little more up close and personal. Actually I just magnified the picture. I was happy to view them from the bridge.
We were feeling adventurous so we went on a short nature walk through the live oaks and palms to the Canopy Walkway and Tower.
My view of Allan on the Canopy Walkway below from half way up the tower. The walkway is about 25 feet off the ground and the tower is about 75 feet high.
We had quite the spectacular view from the tower.
Eagle eye Terry spotted these wild boar. Allan was able to get this shot of them. This sighting was a first for us. We frequently see evidence of them on the hiking trails in the parks and preserves where we walk. It is our understanding that they are nocturnal. This is as close as I hope to ever be to them broad daylight or otherwise.
The most interesting facts to me are that this lake is only about five feet deep and has no source of water other than rainfall.
For our last park adventure we walked out on the boardwalk Birdwalk where we could see out over this vast grass land. The walk takes you out to the edge of the lake.
We were most fascinated by this deer that we watched meander out through the vista. It was at quite a distance and I had to crop and magnify the picture in order for you to know what we saw, hence the blurry photo.
A fella passed by while we were visually tracking it and was quite mystified as to our fascination with seeing a deer. He said he was from Michigan and sees them all the time. Maybe he was missing the point. I am from Maine and also have seen my fair share of deer. The point was we don't often see them here in Florida.
5.2.15 - Grand Girls
I'm guessing that the snow at our house in Maine has melted. This time Jake sent us a picture of our "grand girls" at Maggie's first softball game of the season along with a schedule of upcoming games.
Nice socks Maggie. Is Auntie Bekah your sports clothing coordinator?
5.3.15 - Lunch on the Intracoastal in Osprey
Last Sunday Allan and I drove up to Siesta Key Beach to check out the amateur sand sculpting contest. They were created the day before. However, once again we arrived too late in the day to get parking. We then decided to find a place to have lunch on the way home.
Our most gracious neighbor Miss Betty lets me have her already read newspapers. I had recently seen an article on the top 10 places to dine on the water in Sarasota County. In reviewing the article I realized that we had already eaten at 4 of the ten and for that matter a couple more that I would add to the list. I made a list of them in my phone so referenced the list and found one in Osprey right on our way home.
At Spanish Pointe Restaurant and Pub I enjoyed a grouper sandwich and Allan a blackened grouper wrap. We were surprised to be joined at the Pub by a two piece band that serenaded us during our lunch.
You can't beat this view of Little Sarasota Bay. There is also plenty of space on the piers for folks to stop by on their boats, hop ashore and dine.
5.4.15 - The Gulf
I sure do enjoy the gulf. Sometimes it seems like I have it all to myself. Here I am in the water at South Venice Beach.
When I am outside I use sunscreen and wear a hat. This is somewhat a little too late. I was diagnosed last summer with pre-cancerous cells on my face and had treatment last fall. I will have a follow-up check once I get back to Maine.
5.5.15 - Manasota Beach
It is clear that the "season" down here is over. There are fewer and fewer folks at the beach, on the roads and out and about.
5.7.15 - Closing Up
Our season is also coming to a close. We have enjoyed it well beyond the pictures and words in this blog.
The other day Allan trimmed the mango tree in our ongoing effort to keep the mangos off the lanai roof. This year the tree is laden with mangos. The other day we probably picked up 50 after he did his trimming. The squirrels will be happy with us once we leave because they will get to eat all the drops. Actually I am not sure if they will be able to keep up with all of them. I hope they don't send out an invitation to others to join in the feast. I think we already have enough squirrels around here.
Our cherry tomatoes and all the other veggies have been great fun to grow and eat.
Yesterday I cleaned out the last of the veggies. Allan took down the trellises. We have covered it with weed barrier cloth in an effort to keep out airborne seeds and any animals that might want to get into it while we are gone.
Thanks to Bill we have some patio pavers that we haven't used to build a patio yet. We hope we have put enough of them on this cloth so that it doesn't blow around in our absence.
It is time for me to be done with this posting. We have several more tasks to complete before we are ready to fly north tomorrow, 5.8.15. One of the remaining tasks is for Allan to close out our account with Comcast later this afternoon. When he does that I will no longer have Wi-Fi. I might have gotten this all done sooner if I wasn't one who worked to deadlines.
Once we arrive up north I will put the finishing touches on a couple of Professional Development presentations that I will be doing next week and I look forward to spending lots of time with our grand girls.
This summer we have plans to do a bunch of renovations to our Hamel Ave. house. If I get around to it I will continue the blog keeping you apprised of our antics and home improvement progress.
And then there is this motorcycle that is waiting patiently for my return...
