Days 243 - 249

Palmetto FL - Marina Jacks Sarasota FL

• Start 7:35 AM
• End 10:55 PM
• Underway 3:20 Hours
• Distance 26 Miles
• Total Miles on Trip 4316
• Av Speed 7.7 knots
• Weather Cloudy , 52 Degrees, Wind 5 Knots NW

We got another weather delay. Our plan was to spend 2 nights in Sarasota, then head to Venice. Before we even got to Sarasota, The Crow's Nest Marina in Venice called, and said due to the incoming storm we would not be able to stay on their docks for the weekend. They are too exposed to the Gulf, and did not want our boat to get damaged. Marina Jacks in Sarasota is much better protected, and had room for us to stay. We stayed for a week, because it was cheaper to pay for a week than 4 nights. Once again it was best choice. Even with Marina Jacks being well protected, one of the boats on the dock we were tore the cleats out of the dock. The wind was over 30MPH.

There are plenty of things to do and see in Sarasota, and keeping entertained for a week was not a problem. The first place of interest we went to was The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is a 66-acre museum complex in Sarasota, Florida, featuring the State Art Museum of Florida, Circus Museum, Ca' d'Zan mansion, and Bayfront Gardens. We never knew there was so much money in owning a circus. Ca'd'Zan was John & Mable's home, and is just incredible.

Our next adventure was to The Pinecraft Amish Community, and the many markets there. We ate lunch at Yoder's Family Restaurant. It was obviously the best place to eat, there was at least 10 - 15 waiting to get a seat indoors. We opted to order from the outside window and eat at the picnic tables. While we thought our electric bikes were cool, many of the Amish use electric tricycles. I would have considered getting them, but there is no way they would fit on the boat.

One of the highlights of Sarasota was going to the Florida Studio Theatre. They a five theatre complex with multiple shows going at any time. The only show that had tickets available was "Friends In Low Places". Friends in Low Places celebrates the contemporary country musicians who transformed their genre and rocketed to the top of the charts. The show was a mix of singing and talking about the history of modern country. While neither Angel nor I are big country music fans the show was great and we really enjoyed it.

While we were here we had the chance to visit with friends. It seems like everyone from New Jersey eventually ends up in Florida! First Mike & Karey Cain from BYC surprised us with an early visit. We plan to see them in Venice, but they also stopped by on their way home from Tampa. Then Kathi & Joe Feyti joined us for lunch. We saw Kathi in Palmetto but Joe was traveling. It was great to see everyone.

What fun would any stopped be without at least one night of docktails. Angel and I hosted docktails with Keith & Lisa (Cell Mates), Kathy & Ron (Third Swan) and Daryl & Lynn (Darlynn). Daryl & Lynn are not loopers, but long term cruiser in the slip next to us.

Sarasota has been a great stop even with our extended stay. While it is not as bike friendly as most of the Florida towns we have visited, it is still fairly easy to get around. There is plenty to see and do very close to the marina. We walked as much as we rode our bikes. The one mistake we made was walking to Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods was the closest grocery store, but I think they are way too expensive and we did not care for the selection of foods. Two days later we rode our bikes to Publix.

We are off to Venice, a very short run of about 25 miles where we plan to spend three nights. Hopefully we will get to spend more time with Mike & Karey. Dan & Cherri (Cherri baby II) also plan to meet back up with us in Venice. We hope to travel together until we get to Marathon.