Friday, Sarasota to Tampa area

April 1, Day 28, off to Marie Selby Botanical Garden in Sarasota.

Today it is a bright nearly cloudless day. As we have already been here we thought it was a good place to walk. Turns out there were areas we did not remember and some new ones. Again we use the MN arboretum pass, otherwise another $17 each but would have been worth it anyhow.



Koi and Docent



We had a docent for the first half hour, she pointed out the damage the recent hurricane had done, because of a full year growth cycle it recovers fast.



Hindu Temple Guardian



This garden is noted for its large collection of epiphytes both living and dried for the future. These are orchids, bromeliads, cactus and ferns.



Epiphytes: Orchid and Spanish moss on a tree branch



We went to see the house adjacent given to the city by another women and it expands the whole garden.

On exhibit are carved Rainforest Masks of the Borucan Indians of Costa Rica. The wood is said to be balsam. This is the fourth year they have imported these through a member who originally brought them to the garden. The garden gives the Indians the number of masks they want for the exhibit and gives them money up front to do them. There were three Islanders early on showing how they carve them, takes about four days. As you can see, they are brightly colored, with local flora and fauna making up the mask. There were a number of masks of fierce looking men. I estimate a 125 or so masks with all but six or so not advance purchased.  Three levels of cost, around $225, 450, and 1,500. If there had been an orchid one left I would have considered it. But as last time, two years ago, there were none left.

The garden in front of the house had flowers and paths to meander.



Blosson six inches long

 We walked through a small garden and a lady said that we should try the fruit of this Jaboticaba tree from Brazil noted as the most desirable because of the taste of the berry - not the one alongside this. The fruit grows on the trunk and limbs of the tree, has a bitter black skin, sweet inside and a nut to spit. 



Selby Café for lunch. Shirleen’s chicken wrap and my jambalaya soup were a nice lunch under a banyan tree. As we walked to the bench I noticed a small purse draped over the back of it. So, again, happened in North Mankato a couple months ago, I turned it in to the café. I imagine the lady appreciated having it found.



Orchids for sale




Orchid blossom



Orchid blossom



As I was waiting for Shirleen to read a plack, I spotted something dropping from a palm tree. I went to look up from where the material dropped.


Eastern Screech Owl

 There was an owl, small, eight inches tall. I watched it move to three different spots on the palm. One lady with a Nikkon came by I mentioned it was there and she said she was taking pictures but would look. Well she started, her husband an accomplished photographer and others starting taking pictures, snap, snap it goes.










Ringling bought St. Armand’s Key name for President Harding, Harding circle. It has a central shopping and central park with boulevards filled with statues.

You can find it by taking Ringling Ave. west. Again this island was bought and given to the city by Ringling. We had a nice walk around this immense round about that has many plaques of Ringling Brothers employees. Shirleen found my favorite, Emmett Kelly.



Emmett Kelly







Shops and outside eating abounds.

We travel up these keys and found it relaxing.











We turn towards highway 75 and notice a DeSoto National Park.
After many wrong turns we got there at 2 minutes to 5 but were able to get the National Park stamp for our book. This park does not require money to get into, different?

Dinner at a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s for sliced beef sandwiches, a nice break. We do laundry tonight. jerr