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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lake Louisa, Florida State Parks Video

Image
A short drive from Orlando, this 4,500-acre park is noted for its beautiful lakes, rolling hills, and scenic landscapes. Lake Louisa, the largest in a chain of 13 lakes, is designated as an Outstanding Florida Water Way. Lake Louisa, Hammond Lake and Dixie Lake, the park’s most accessible lakes, provide opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. The park is home to 11 distinct natural plant communities and lies within the easternmost boundary of the Green Swamp (Area of Critical State Concern) and the northernmost boundary of the Lake Wales Ridge. The presence of white-tail deer, bobcat, fox squirrel, raccoon, gopher tortoise, bald eagle, osprey and cypress fringed lakes makes nature study a great pastime. The park is located on US Highway 27, seven miles south of State Road 50 in Clermont. History still resurfaces today. During the 2001 drought, when the lake level dropped, two prehistoric dugout canoes were found in LakeLouisa. Later that year, remnan
Read more

DeLeon Springs, Florida State Parks Video

Image
The outstanding feature of the 625-acre park is the spring, overlooking beautiful Spring Garden Run, producing 19 million gallons of water a day at 72 degrees year-round.  The swimming area is accessible by stairs, ramp and a swimmer lift.  Lifeguards are provided during the summer months only and pets are not allowed in or near the swimming area.  SCUBA Diving is limited to classes by certified instructors only.  Snorkeling is a popular activity, but access to the cave is prohibited.   If you prefer to stay above the water, canoes, paddleboats, and kayaks may be rented from the park's concession.  The park's paddling trail provides access to the 22,000 acres Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, with lakes, creeks, and marshes to explore.  The free boat ramp, with dock, can accommodate boats up to about 20 feet, with the St. Johns River a distance of about 10 miles.  Fishing is excellent in the spring run from the shore or the fishing dock.  A Florida fre
Read more

Blue Spring, Orange City, Florida State Parks Video

Image
Blue Spring State Park covers more than 2,600 acres, including the largest spring on the St. Johns River. Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. During manatee season, which approximately runs from mid-November through March, several hundred manatees can be viewed atop the spring’s overlooks on cold days. The spring and spring run are closed to all water activity from mid-November to at least mid-March.  Swimming or diving with manatees is not permitted; this rule is strictly enforced. The spring's crystal clear, 73-degree water can be enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers, and certified scuba divers, with a partner during our designated swimming season. Fishing, canoeing, and boating are also enjoyed along the St. Johns River. Riverboat tours are available; for reservations, call St. Johns River Cruises at (386) 917-0724Call: (386) 917-0724. A self-guided t
Read more