Days 217 & 218 - Bradenton (Osprey)/Sarasota (Us)

I dreamed we were being attacked by pirates and awoke to find Osprey bouncing around like she was dodging cannonballs.  But Blackbeard and his band of swashbuckling plunderers was not to blame.  It was only the buffeting of the wind, and it was due to continue until Friday.

Resigned to staying a few more days, on Wednesday we rented a silver PT Cruiser to do some sightseeing.  We spent the day at the Ringling Museum.  Captain Bob, who is an accomplished modeler, was enthralled by the 3,800 square foot, 3/4 inch-to-the-foot replica of the Barnum and Bailey Circus created in intricate detail over 50 years by Howard C. Tibbals.  http://www.ringling.org/CircusMuseum2.aspx?id=632 

We oohed and ahhed over the guided tour of Ca d'Zan, the 36,000 square foot, gothic Venetian mansion built by John and Mabel Ringling on the shores of Sarasota Bay.

Our last stop was at the Museum of Art bequeathed to the State of Florida by John Ringling with his vast collection of masterpieces.  

A replica of Michelangelo's David was in the Garden


















My favorite piece was the Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek by Rubens. 

Bob said he liked a painting that included a dog peeing on a column in a cathedral. 

Thursday we returned to Sarasota where we met our friends Bev and Rich, and walked around the city, shopped at St. Armand's Circle, visited a small art gallery, and bought some produce at Yoder's Amish Market .  Before we left we stopped to photograph The Valentine's Kiss sculpture near the marina.

 

Friday, we charted our course for Venice and planned a leisurely 7-hour day on the Intracoastal Waterway.  Half an hour out we heard the now-familiar and oh so disappointing sound of the engine balking just before it quit.  Bob swung the hatch off the engine room and quickly flicked the switch for the new auxiliary pump, but it was a no go.  We could only run just above idle, so we returned to Twin Dolphins Marina.  

Bob contacted the engine guru, Brian Smith (He's the son of Bob Smith, who was responsible for converting the Ford Lehman from tractor to marine applications).  Brian couldn't recommend a good mechanic in the area, but gave Bob some ideas to help him find the problem.  Bob spent several hours in the engine room, hardly cursing at all, and then ordered a new lift pump.  It should be here by Monday. 

I discovered a Harry Potter gecko.  

 

Let's see what else we can find to do in Bradenton.