Monday - Final Day in Sarasota

Last day. Couldn't sleep past 7:00 A.M., no matter how hard I try. What to do, what to do. I want to go out to Myakka River State Park, since I haven't been there for years. Also want to go back to Siesta Village again, plus downtown too. Well, I'm not going to get there sitting here writing! OK, to Village Inn for breakfast - then decide!

After breakfast I went downtown and visited several shops. The went to lunch with a friend who lives in Sarasota.

Following lunch, I drove to Arcadia, Florida via the State Road 780 to State Road 70 route, then back to Sarasota on State Road 72. I can't tell you how many times I made that circuit when I was living here.

Spent some time doing the airport pastime of plane watching, about a half hour I suppose. Then back to the hotel to pack for tomorrow's return to Missouri.

That's it for the Sarasota Vacation of 2001!

Sunday Evening With Family

After the game, I went straight back to the hotel to get ready to go over to my aunt and uncle's place in Bradenton. After a little time at the hotel, I drove to Bradenton, arriving right on time at 5:30.

We hung out and had ribs for dinner, and then we watched the Academy Awards. My aunt has really been into painting recently, and showed me about 20 of her works. Excellent. Still lifes, landscapes; realistic and some impressionist. Ah, to have the talent.

It was great seeing my aunt and uncle again. It had been quite a while since the last time. It's difficult when we all live so far apart.

Cincinnati vs. Boston

I arrived at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota at about noon for a 1:05 game between the Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds. I always thought Ed Smith Stadium was nice, but after two games in City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Smith seems pretty spartan. Plus, City of Palms has a canopy covering the stadium seats (not the bleachers), providing loads of shade. Smith doesn't - there's not much shade at all. It also seemed that the games were more fun and relaxing in Fort Myers.

The game did not go well for my Red Sox, losing 3-0. But I did get to see Ken Griffey Jr. play; smaller dude than I expected.

The visiting team (Sox) was on the third base side, which is where the sun was most direct. After being there for five innings, I moved to the first base side, even though it was in enemy territory. Couldn't help it - shade was available. I had been standing during the game, since my ticket was standing room only. But about two minutes after I moved, a guy with two box tickets left, and gave me the tickets. I gave one ticket to a fellow stander and we sat down. The seats were in the second row behind the Reds dugout on the first base line, right across from the batter. Probably the best seat of the three games I attended.

Preparing the field for play.

One of my Boston players swinging away.

Griffey Jr. at bat.

Sunday Morning

Up early today - 6:15. Picked up McDonald's breakfast and headed to Sarasota airport for favorite pastime, A.M. version.

After airplanes, I went to Siesta Key Village, got some coffee and relaxed. Walked around the village shops quite a bit. Definitely need to come back some day. Found some good souvenirs. Left the village at about 10:00.

Saturday Evening

After the Boston-Minnesota game, I returned to Sarasota via U.S. 41, avoiding I-75 at all costs. I contacted my uncle in Bradenton and spoke with him for a while. Going there for dinner tomorrow night.

My Sarasota friends had recommended a steak place to me called Hops. I hadn't heard of it before, but I've subsequently learned that it's national. It's a microbrewery as well, and the food and service were excellent. And a rare treat - Key Lime Pie for dessert.

On the drive back to the hotel, someone had been pulled over by the police. The cops were removing the license plate from this person's car... naughty naughty!

Boston vs. Minnesota

City of Palms Park in Fort Myers is a beautiful ballpark. Lots of shaded seating and relaxed atmosphere. My friends arrived in time for the game against the Twins, and it was a good one. Of course, it was very crowded and we had to stand, but we didn't care.

During the game, my friend caught a foul ball and was an instant celebrity. It flew up and hit the back wall above the highest seats, then came back down to where we were. My friend reached up and snagged it from behind with one hand. The crowd went wild. For the rest of the game, people would come up and congratulate him on the catch. Kids were coming up to see the ball. It was a blast.

During the sixth inning, we were able to sit. This time, it was in the second row behind the Red Sox dugout, right across from the batters box. Another great game.

The field at City of Palms Park.

In play.


In play.

Saturday Morning

Slept in again - 8:00. Went to Wal-Mart and picked up a smaller bag for the camera. I hate carrying that big one around.

Breakfast at Peaches. Excellent. Then off to Fort Myers for a baseball game. I am meeting a friend of mine and his girlfriend at the ballpark. They are also from Missouri, vacationing in Florida.

Horrible delays on I-75; lucky I got an early start. Got to Fort Myers at about 11:45. The game doesn't start until just after 1:00. Waited for my friends at the ballpark, but they hadn't anticipated the Florida traffic and were about a half-hour late. No problem, though, it's vacation!

Friday

I had planned to go to a baseball game today, but since I'm having dinner with friends at 5:30, there's not enough time. I subsequently learned that I missed Pedro Martinez pitching.

Went to the Waffle House for breakfast. The people watching there more than makes up for the food/cost ratio. Quite a humorous spectacle. Also a required stop.

Went directly to the beach after the Waffle House. The sun and breeze felt great. Spent a good two hours there; walked about six miles. Now, here's the thing. At the beach in Sarasota, or anywhere in Florida for that matter, you see things. Horrible things. Things that no other person should ever have to witness. You can also see the opposite, but there is precious little of that.

After the beach, headed over to Sarasota Square Mall to thumb my nose at the debt gods. Sarasota Square was where much of my former debt came from, you know. It took years to pay it off. Found an Internet-connected computer at Radio Shack - checked e-mail. Also tried to find some 'Sarasota' golf towels for friends back in Missouri, but none were to be found. They'll have to settle for postcards! Heh. I did earn $5 at the mall by taking a marketing survey, though.

Hey, maybe the outlet mall has golf towels. Drove there, but no such luck. In fact, most shops are closed up. Outlet mall on critical list.

Picked up some very late lunch at Checker's and drove to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to watch the jets. You all know that's one of my favorite pastimes. After about 45 minutes of that, I returned to the hotel to get ready for dinner with my friends. I think we're going to some steak place.

Went to an excellent Japanese restaurant with friends. After that, hung out with them at their place until about 11:00. Then went back to hotel for much needed sleep.

Thursday Evening

On my way back to the hotel in Sarasota, I drove through Brandon, Florida. I had lived there for about a year and a half, just before moving to Missouri. I drove by what used to be the Greenwood Building. I had worked in the offices of a restaurant company headquartered there. The company closed down after the CPA had absconded with much of the company's cash.

Stopped at the Brandon Town Center, a huge mall that opened just as I was about to leave Brandon for Missouri. YES, the Big Easy Cajun restaurant is still there! Must have the infamous Bourbon Chicken.

Return to Bok Tower Gardens

After the Executive Center, I had lunch with an old fraternity brother of mine who lives in Sarasota. Following lunch, I decided to head over to Lake Wales to visit Bok Tower Gardens. Of course, I took the roundabout way - U.S. 301 to State Road 62 to State Road 37 to State Road 60.

Spent a couple of hours at Bok Tower Gardens. They had built a new visitor center since my last visit nearly six years earlier. Very nice - took a few pictures.

New entryway into the Gardens and the visitor center.

Behind the visitor center.


The tower.

Executive Center, Sarasota

First thing on Thursday, I drove to the Executive Center, an office building in Sarasota. I had worked in that building for a while when I first moved to Sarasota back in 1987. That alone would not warrant a visit, but, in the most unlikely of coincidences, my current employer in Missouri has a vendor based in that building.

Executive Center, Sarasota Florida.

Boston vs. Philadelphia

I got to Fort Myers, where I wanted to scope out City of Palms Park so I would be familiar with it on Saturday for the baseball game. I tried to turn left on Edison to get to the ballpark, but there was a traffic jam. Ahhhh, there's a baseball game today, as well. Made a U-turn and started down a different street. Realized I'd come all this way, so I might as well go to this game too. Turned around and found parking only four blocks from the park.

Got a general admission ticket for $6.00 - standing room only. Found a nice spot to stand behind the third base line. Husband and wife next to me must have been visiting from up north. Could tell by the conversations they had with three people they'd run into that they knew from up north. Small world.

Boston and Philly had a good game. We (Boston) won 12 to 7. There were several homers, including two by Jason Veritek. Didn't get to see Pedro or Nomar play, though.

After five innings, of of the park staff seated me - in the very front row behind the Red Sox dugout directly across from the pitcher's mound. Excellent place for the final 3 1/2 innings. Almost got bonked by a pop fly, though.

Left the ballpark around 3:45 or so - not sure. Realized I had not eaten lunch, but that was OK since breakfast was so big. Drove back to Sarasota.

Wednesday Morning of the Sarasota Vacation

Slept in till 7:30, then rolled out of bed. Seemed to take forever to get ready, but hey, who's in a hurry?

First stop, as always when visiting Sarasota or Denver, is Village Inn for breakfast. Had the Ultimate Skillet - new on the menu. Must have bad restaurant karma, though. The server dropped a big butter ball on my seat.

While at Village Inn, I realized just how many geriatrics there are in Sarasota. Surprisingly, I also realized that I missed them. This one old guy came in, must have been a regular, because they seated him without asking the usual 'smoking or non' question, or 'is this OK?' They knew where he wanted to sit. The manager came by his table and said 'Hello, Robert'. Very genuine. Their exchange made me feel good.

After the nice breakfast, headed south on Tamiami Trail with the intent of scoping out City of Palms Park in Fort Myers (for planned attendance of baseball game on Saturday). It's hard to believe how much Sarasota has changed over the past several years since I left. New high rises; junky areas cleaned up; etc. Unbelievable number of Jaguars, Mercedes, Porches, Rolls Royces.

Stopped at Tervis Tumber in Osprey, always a required visit. Picked out some mugs - sports theme - and had them shipped to myself in Missouri. Tervis has added a college logo line - waiting on licensing from Mizzou. Will have to get a set when available. Can check on their new web site - www.tervis.com.

Took the usual route at south Venice, down 776 through Englewood, then 775 to Placida. Tons of construction. Lucky I didn't try this on weekend. Bypassed Boca Grande, was there last time.

The Journey to Sarasota

On this trip I flew from Saint Louis to Tampa, via Indianapolis and Jacksonville. Here are my notes on what happened that day.

Arrived at Quik Park next to Lambert Airport in Saint Louis. Got a spot right near the front. Just as I arrived, a shuttle pulled up and waited for me. Once at the airport, I had to wait all of a minute to check my bag.

Flight for Indy left and arrived on time. The aircraft was one of Southwest's theme planes - California One. It had a big bear painted on the side. Boarding card no. 5.

Airport in Indianapolis very old and tired, just like the people there seem. Everyone looked as if the horror of living in Indianapolis had just caught up to them.

Flight to Jacksonville left on time also, though for some reason I thought it would leave early too. This aircraft was the normal pukey Southwest color scheme. Flight attendants were funny as heck - you could tell they liked their jobs.

Did not have to change planes in Jacksonville. During Jacksonville stop, flight attendants were prepping the plane for the leg to Tampa. The lead flight attendant asked the male flight attendant to do something that would have been outside of his normal duties. He was currently handing out peanuts to those of us who stayed on the plane. He said 'OK, but you'll have to do my nuts'. Everyone on the plane heard, about 25 passengers plus the crew, and exploded into laughter. Dude became tomato. The rest of passengers from Jacksonville boarded, not knowing what they had missed.

Again, the flight left on time, and arrived on time as well in Tampa. We approached from the south, flying over Gandy and Howard Frankland Bridges. One wheel landing - Yikes!

Got to baggage claim just as my bag was coming out. Picked it up and went to car rental, where there was only one other person in line ahead of me. Only had to wait five minutes. Got car - a white Dodge Neon. Guess I can't escape that car.

Drove to Sarasota via Howard Frankland Bridge and Sunshine Skyway. Not the direct route, but I like going that way. Winds were high - got buffeted. No wonder the pilot had a rough time of it.

Arrived at hotel. Room nicer than anticipated. Has a kitchen. Went to bed after reading for an hour, realizing that today was probably the best travel day I'd ever had.

Sarasota Vacation 2001

Having been gone from Sarasota for almost seven years, I decided it was time to take a little vacation there. Although I had planned to go to a baseball game, I actually managd to go to three, as I was there right in the midst of spring training. I had recently started getting into the game because of my fantasy league. I was especially into the Red Sox since most of my team was from Boston.

Unlike any of my other vacations, I actually kept a written journal of the trip. These postings will rely heavily upon excerpts from those writings.