Christmas in Sarasota

We continued to explore Sarasota after Sarah and Joe left for Michigan visits.  Walks on Siesta Key
beach, dinghy exploration of the channels and homes along the keys, re-provisioning, etc.

Siesta Key:

Julie and her Mom at Siesta Key back in the day...the 60's

 

Dinghy ride

 

 The marina is probably the nicest physical facility we have been to.  Modern floating docks, all types of maintenance/repair services on site, pump outs in the slip, a short walk across the Tamiami Trail to town.  Lots, and I mean lots! of restaurants and shops.  Three restaurants right at the  marina!  Nice, but one cannot afford to stay too long as the rates are a bit pricey. Definitely worth a stop here. And a fourth just around the marina...O'Leary's Tiki Bar:

Speaking of maintenance, we are having some isinglass repaired and are currently trying to source a rather rare hot water heater.  No one has a 20 gal, 240V, horizontal configuration in stock.  It may be two to three weeks to get the water heater we are told.   Oh well, we have been stuck in a lot worse places!

 

We were only able to get a 10 day slip assignment as there is a huge fireworks display and party for New Years right here.  So we are moving to Longboat Key Moorings across the bay starting Jan 30 for a few days (maybe more as noted above).
Courtney is staying at Julie's mom's house for a few weeks here in Sarasota so we have been visiting him every day or so.  He graciously allowed us use of his car which makes our re-provisioning and other errands so convenient.  Thanks so much Courtney!
We went to St. Martha's parish Mass on Christmas Eve.  The older Italian priest was quite a character.  In fact, after he welcomed all and wished everyone a Merry Christmas his line was..." I have a secret for you all" and quietly said "we are open for business every Sunday!".   We thought that was a quite clever way to remind folks!  He also said he was an IBM priest.   Italian Big Mouth.  What a character.
Anyway had a great Italian meal downtown afterwards and even listened to a Christian rock band doing a church service and Christmas songs in the park for a few minutes on our walk home (to the boat).

Christmas Eve full moon back at the boat:

 

 

 

On Christmas morning we drove to Lido Key and walked the beach (did Siesta Key the day before).  These are some of the best beaches around in our opinion.  Great walking beaches, we took over an hour walk on each!  Best of both worlds, a little exercise and a great view along the shore!
Gary and Cindy's favorite spot on Lido;

Courtney invited us for a delicious Christmas dinner he had graciously prepared.  He had planned on a couple other people to attend but they both had last minute complications and could not.  So there was plenty of leftovers for Courtney!  Thanks again Courtney!
On Sat we explored the downtown area including the farmer's market.  We went over to Payne Park which was home to a major league baseball team spring training for years and years up to the late 80's (the White Sox were the last team to practice here).  The field is gone but the hotel once owned by the baseball team is still standing and serves as administrative offices for the city.  The Payne family deeded the land to the city and stipulated that it be a public park if no major league baseball team held spring training there.  It is a beautiful area today. The park is right where Julie's grandmother lived for years in a trailer park.   Julie has been coming to Sarasota since she was 2 years old so has witnessed many of these changes.  She recalled going to sit in the hotel lobby with her Mom and Dad to watch all the baseball players enter and exit.  She also remembered going down the street for ice cream as well as feeding peanuts to the squirrels in the park.

 

 

 

On Sunday Dec 27, our good friends Rich and Paula and their daughter Maggie stopped in for a visit as they were in Florida for a family vacation. It is great having friends visit and again we encourage you to keep track of our whereabouts and contact us if our paths will cross....we'd love to have you aboard! Anyway, we took a great boat ride and Courtney and one of the Sarasota neighbors, Cindy, joined us. 

Unfortunately, no dolphins....sorry Maggie!  The Kohlers helped us wash the salt off the boat and then we all had a great grilled dinner aboard.  We all retired fairly early and the Kohlers had to be on their way around 9 AM on Monday.  It was such a pleasure seeing them and having them aboard.  Safe travels Kohlers.
On Monday I finally found a hot water heater in stock in Connecticut.  It will take a week to get here due to the Holiday so I guess I'd better get busy and make a reservation to stay longer in Sarasota....
Thanks for following us....Happy New Year to all.