2015 - Brian, Diego and Max, Florida visit

06/22/2015

Brian, Diego, and Max arrive at our home in Florida around 4:00 a.m.  They drove 10 hours from their home in North Carolina.  Great seeing them.  Claudia was scheduled to work so was unable to come.  We got about 4 hours sleep. Diego Becky and I went to Nokomis North Jetty Beach for the day.  Beautiful Turquoise water about 80 deg. F temperature.  We enjoyed snorkeling and Diego practiced with his Boogie Board.  Temperature was in the low 90'S.


Diego swimming with the Manatee

6/23/2015
Today we loaded the Kodiak RV and went to Myakka River State Park to camp over night.  We drove to the Air Boat ride to see it leaving to tour the River.





We visited the gift shop, then we headed back to our camp site and set up camp.  Diego and I connected the water, sewage line and electricity while Becky organized the inside.



We walked to the Nature Center and enjoyed looking at the stuffed animals that are home to the park and Florida.









Becky was happy to see several of the Rangers as we walked.  She worked at this park for several months and made several friends.  Some of the best people there are in this country work here.

After returning to our campsite, we built a fire and cook our hot dogs over the open flame.  Diego enjoyed learning how to build a fire.  I think he could had played for hours in the fire, like most kids.  Becky prepared corn on the cob and we enjoyed a great dinner.








6/24/2015
We had a good nights sleep in the Kodiak.  Becky was up early and left with the Assistant Park Manager to visit her old friends she meet at the park.  Diego and I ate breakfast, and watched old Danial Boon movie.  When Becky returned we prepared to travel.

Today we want to visit the Canopy Walk (trail) at the park.  The Canopy is to tall towers with an extension bridge built between the towers.  They are high enough to see over the trees in the park and see for miles.










After walking the trail, we continued on to the Ringling Brother Circus grounds. Over 100 acres was given to the Ringling Brothers by Sarasota.  Sarasota was aware of the thousands of workers and tourist the Circus brought to Sarasota every winter.



John and Mable built their Mansion, CA'D'ZAN, (see link), in Sarasota to be used for their winter home.  Mabel lived two winters at the home before her death.








Diego at the entrance to John and Mable's Sarasota winter home.  CA'D'ZAN

The Tibbals Miniature circus (see link), with over 1 million pieces, located on the grounds at the Tibbals Learning Center, the collection is amazing.








The Ringling grounds takes a good day to see everything not including any of the shows available. We enjoyed everything.  The grounds closed at 5:00 p.m. and we headed home.  Becky prepared Tacos with chocolate pudding with whip cream for dinner which we all enjoyed.

6/25/2015
Today the North Carolina Thompson's are getting ready to return home.  We were talking about going to the beach one more time, but Diego decided the pools would suffice.





Always great to see family come and visit.  We had a blast and look forward to the next time.





Location: Sarasota, FL, USA

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