Links:
Tampa city gov | Ybor
city museum | Ybor city chamber
of commerce | | Sarasota
Chamber of Commerce | Sarasota
com commercial site | another
Sarasota commerical site | Sarasota
Circus info | Sarasota
newspaper | Ringling
Museum of Art | Marie Selby
Botanical Gardens Orchids in Sarasota | Naples
Chamber of Commerce | Naples
tourism | Sanibel
Captiva island Chamber of Commerce | Sanibel
Tourism | Beachhouse
restaurant Bradenton Beach |
Our trip in a nutshell:
Fleeing the cold north, leaving the fog caused
by melting snow, we arrived in Tampa around noon. Curious about
the Florida aquarium,
we took a peek and stayed to eat (not the museum critters) and
enjoy the flora and fauna and fish. When a tramway went by the
museum entrance, and as my grandfather had been a ticket collector
on the Chicago trams, we decided to hitch a ride to Ybor city.
It was worth it. I had never visited Ybor city in all the years
of living in Florida, even though my junior high school Spanish
teacher hailed from there. The Cubans had lived there for many
years rolling tobacco for cigars. Ybor city has been restored
to its glory, with shops, restaurants and clubs. It was fun to
walk around then take the trolley car back to our parked car.
We high tailed it to Bradenton, looking forward to seeing my
aunt and uncle who were fit as a fiddle. They were both golfing
and enjoying their retirement. The weather was wonderful, warm
and sunny. We visited old haunts in Sarasota like Ringling Museum
and downtown. We had time to go to the city of Naples twice to
see art museum and galleries. On the way back we stopped at Sanibel
island, famous for its shells. We even had time to dip our feet
in the Gulf of Mexico waters at the beach. One of the highlights
of the trip was watching the sun set while eating at the beach
with my aunt and uncle. We participated in a Saint Patrick day
party at their condo with a wonderful amateur talent show. We
had a fantastic restful visit with my family.
Sarasota and Florida have changed since 1966,
more people, more condos and more cars. The beach is still beautiful,
the weather is still clement
but I wonder for how long? Read Carl
Hiaasen's books to find out where Florida is going: Skin
Tight , Native Tongue, Strip Tease, Stormy
Weather , Lucky You, Sick Puppy, Basket
Case and Skinny Dip.
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