Florida - Gulf Coast

Egrets

My sister-in-law and her husband spend two months in Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, a barrier island on the gulf coast, every winter. This beautiful spot was our last Florida destination. The four of us drove to Sarasota to tour the grounds of the Ringling Brothers Circus museum. It was a beautiful day and we saw as much as we could. Below are a few shots.

Ca' d'Zan Mansion

Home of John & Mabel Ringling

Inside the Circus Galleries

"The cornerstone of the Circus Museum’s Tibbals Learning Center is the world's largest miniature circus, The Howard Bros. Circus Model. The model is a replica of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919 – 1938. It was created over a period of more than 50-years by master model builder and philanthropist Howard Tibbals." This is just a wee bit of this amazing display.

Find the lizard

Sunset on the Gulf

Shell Beach

A blustery day

Viva Chihuly!

On February 10 we found ourselves in St. Petersburg, Florida with an entire day to see the sights. A brochure in our hotel's lobby advertised the local Chihuly exhibit presented by the Morean Arts Center. I've long admired Chihuly's art but had seen it only in photos until we were in London's Victoria & Albert Museum last summer. The glass chandelier in the entry at the V & A was breathtaking. I knew when I saw it I had to see more of his work in person so this opportunity was serendipitous and not to be missed. Photography was prohibited within the exhibit but I did take photos outside, in the lobby, and in the gift shop.

Video of Dale Chihuly

Demonstration of glass blowing in the Hot Shop

A Day at Epcot

After our two days in Cape Canaveral we spent a day at Epcot enjoying the exhibits, rides, and entertainment. Below are several photo favorites.

Florida Visit

Cape Canaveral Beach

Flowers on a Wall

Florida Sunset

Manatee

Beach Birds

We've recently returned from a week in warm and humid Florida, my first visit to the state. We spent the first two days in Cape Canaveral visiting friends. It was interesting watching the activity in the harbor from their deck - lots of cruise ships dock at Port Canaveral. We walked on the beach, alive with sea birds - gulls, sandpipers, pelicans - and saw a group of manatees in a lock. The flowers and sunsets were spectacular.