Tin City is what some people call the ‘soul of Naples.’  Back in the day, it was an area with many tin-roofed buildings.  It was a clam shelling and oyster processing plant.  There are nautical artifacts,  antiques and displays that take you back in time when Naples became Naples as the hub of economic growth.  Boat building along with the fishing industry really put this place on the map.       It is still a charming little area with gobs of shops selling items from magic tricks to clothing and everything in between.  There areRead More

   Lowdermilk Park offers a beautiful white-sanded beach.  It is not very big, maybe 1,000′ but it really sweet.  There’s a great little concession with covered tables, tiki-type umbrellas for rent and the opportunity to see a remarkable sunset.  We just went to hang out for a few hours and it was wonderful! Okay, but I LOVE moss!!!          There was one unusual sight…bees laying along the shoreline…some dead and many others nearly so.  It seems that rapid shifts in weather (recent cold front) as well as high levels of humidity cause whole colonies of bees toRead More

  Here we go…..!!!!!         WOW, our first adventure spot in Naples was The Rev Institute which houses the second largest collection of historic, classic, rare and wildly expensive vehicles in the world.  The Collier Collection has over 100 significant automobiles from 1896-1995.  These vintage vehicles literally changed history.  We spent over 2 hours there checking them all out!  It was an absolute blast and worth every minute of our tour!  Enjoy!!! Short like me…lol Awesome engines…boy toys…lol Check out the horn!!! AND, the headlights were candles! Rare find…exhaust on the side My fave!!!! The chassy wasRead More

   Just a few cool shots to wrap up our stay in Sarasota.  Next post will be from on the road…Naples, Miami, Everglades, Key West, etc! Built-in beach chairs Myakka River Sunrise on the beach Hawk sighting by the bird pier  Bill-ornery volunteer friend…lol Steve, the barber The girls at Volunteer Vilageat Myakka Sasha “Big Joe” This was so gorgeous in person!!! Blast of Spanish mossLOVE that stuff Not flamingos…roseate spoonbills visitthe area in winter months…they are reallybeautiful Aaaawww, so cute Love our rainbow fires Full moon…the morning after

      I love drum circles!!!!  Who knew we’d find one on the beach?  As it turns out, each Wednesday and Saturday, a group brings their instruments to the beach for anyone and everyone to enjoy the beautiful energy that only drums can offer!  Carl and I had spent a few hours playing on the beach on a gorgeous Wednesday.  About 4:30, a young man arrived and ‘carved’ a huge circle in the sand then created a mound in the center.       People from all over the beach began to congregate and line their chairs up alongRead More

   Carl and I ventured out to Blind Pass of Manasota Beach one day just to walk along the shore and enjoy the calm waters of the Gulf.  As we walked, we noticed an enormous clump of what seemed like a fallen tree in the distance.  The closer we got, the more amazed we were at what we were beginning to see.  This giant piece of driftwood positioned on the beautiful white sands was becoming a vision of art!  I was so excited about what the passersby had done to this uncommon canvas to bring it to life!  Shells, paint,Read More

   Fun!  Fun!  Fun!  We went on a sponge diving boat ride in Tarpon Springs, FL.  I felt like a kid!  The diver was very cool and all his equipment was explained.  I wanted to jump overboard and search for sponges myself!!!!    I learned so much about sponges.  There are 5 main types harvested commercially in Florida… sheeps wool, yellow and grass are the most marketable because they are softer and absorb better. Finger and glove sponges are used for ornamental purposes.  There’s one that is shaped like a vase. We were told that you can put a plantRead More

     Hmmmm?  Wondering why there doesn’t seem to be any FRONT shots of the sculptures??? I happened on this event unexpectedly on a Monday morning and didn’t have $6 cash to get into the exhibit!!!  Oh my goodness!!!  Therefore, I walked around the periphery of the area and got what I could.  From what I could see, it must have been really cool watching the artists create their masterpieces the weekend before.  What a fun surprise! Then I pulled out the ole beach blanket and caught some rays…perfect!!! Treasure seeker on the beach The craft fair on the beachRead More

     Wow, this place was so cool…more kinds of shells than I even knew existed!  We didn’t get to the Nature Center here to see the animals, My, my…and we BEARLYknow each other…LOL Shiek Carl…LOL What can I say?!!!!! Like my new ride?!!! but there was an impressive taxidermy display of various critters! The part we enjoyed the most, I think, was being silly!!!

     For the past 4 weeks, Carl and I have resided at Myakka River State Park.  It is absolutely beautiful here.  Carl works in various areas of the park as a workkamper (working=free site)…can’t beat that!!! And you only work 3 days a week!  I have explored several areas of the park on his work days and we have seen much together on days off.  One of the greatest aspects of living in a state park is that nature is literally your home.  Birds of all kinds, deer, raccoons, snakes, alligators, swampland, the river, trees and on and on!Read More