Pinecraft-Sarasota

Under the Ringling Bridge

Last week had been a rainy week, so I spent a lot of time inside or running for cover to avoid getting wet. So last evening it was time to get out and we went to see the underside of The Ringling Bridge. The little Gecko was the first thing to greet me and made me feel at home.

We drove over the bridge and turned right at the first street light. Beings we left home around 5 pm, we had most of the parking lot to ourselves.

These shrubs etc are blocking the street, coming off the bridge.

Sort of the first look under the bridge.

It was Sunday afternoon and some people were still dressed in their Sunday best. Under the bridge are park benches and by appearance good fishing.

And good fishing in the bay, plus the Pelicans waiting and resting. They live the life of a pelican.

I don't know what kind of tree this is. The leaves look like the Mimosa, but the wild Mimosa I knew in Tennessee were in purple.

Another fishing boat with children sitting on the edge.

This is the favorite spot for the Pelicans to fish. I never tire of watching them come in, skim the water and make a quick dive. Most of the time they came up with a fish.

The clouds move in from the east while the sun was lowering in the west. We sat facing North, so we had the view from the east and west.

Watching the clouds changing minute by minute...

and getting darker in the east over the city.

Fossils at my feet.

The LaBARGE on its Sunset Cruise.

The West

Catching a snack.

Canoeing into the Sunset.

Last evening I realized how blessed I am to live only a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico.

The last rays of sun bringing out the color of the high-rise buildings.

The lights under the bridge went on. They look green.

and then yellow, orange, red and blue. But when we went back under the bridge to take a good look at the lights, every last one of them was white more or less.

Tropical Storm Andrea

The rains at mid-morning. I had resigned myself to stay inside all day because I expected it to rain all day.

But sometime this afternoon the rains quit, that is until I was out biking around at 6 PM or so. I was chased home and soon after I had the bike locked up and planned on staying inside, the rain quit. At dusk I decided to take one good bike ride to get exercise and fresh air.

The Port-a-John on its back is the only damage I could find. I had to wonder who is responsible to upright this Port-a-John, the Port-a-John people or the carpenters?

After my second bike ride I sat on my front porch until it was cold and dark. But I did get my exercise and fresh air and will probably sleep well.

The LaBARGE Cruise

This morning Nancy Ebersole Good and I took a two hour ride on the LeBARGE Cruise. There were probably 50 passengers on board. I think the capacity is 60. At first every passenger except Nancy and I went for the second deck. So we chose the best seats which were right out front, moving forward. We stayed on our spot until it was time to dock and so we had to go inside until they were ready to let us off the ship.

Their gas station.

On the way out.

My first photo of the Ringling Bridge. The Bridge where hundreds of people get their exercise by walking the bridge. I think "Walking the Bridge" is just as much an attraction for all people as "Watching the Buses Come In" is for the Pinecraft people. "Walking the Bridge" stimulates the physical aspects of the body, whereas "Watching the Buses Come In" stimulates the brain.

Another Ringling Bridge picture.

And another one.

Nancy dreaming away...

And so is Grace from Georgia. There is something soothing about this cruise.

The Draw Bridge is up. We were assuming this is the bridge that goes into Siesta Beach.

A houseboat. I am not sure I would like living in one or not. I would have to start up the little motor boat or swim to shore every time I want to get on the mainland.