Hello everyone!
I returned last week from a short visit with family in Sarasota/Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch, FL where the weather was sunny and warm (50’s to high 70’s). Here in Aurora, IL it is COLD, highs in the low 20’s and lows in the teens, with windchills making the days even colder. I am not complaining, just putting things in perspective :)
The flight from Chicago O’Hare Airport to Sarasota-Bradenton Airport is about 2 1/2 hours in the air and about 3 hrs Gate to Gate, not bad.
I didn’t explore any “wild” trails but I did get to visit the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. A little more than half of the Gardens were closed due to the recent hurricanes. I was able to see the Orchid Show, Bonsai, Water Lillies, Tropical Conservatory, views across the Bay and a few random paths. The closed areas included a Mangrove Walkway, Succulent Garden, Rainforest Garden, Koi Pond, Tidal Lagoon plus more views of Sarasota Bay.
Click Here for a Video created from my photos at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
There is a unique/unusual/larger than life sculpture in the Park along the Sarasota Bay Trail. Here it is:
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER
The profound joy portrayed in this sculpture was prompted by the spontaneous surrender of the Japanese, thus ending World War II on August 14, 1945. Among the celebrants in Times Square in New York City were a United States sailor and a nurse embracing amidst the multitude of joy makers.
The merriment expressed the pride and relief of the military and the home front to have been part of this great victory-despite the eleven years of unemployment and the hardships of the Great Depression; four years of horrific war; losing loved ones; the rationing of food and gasoline and the war production duties endured by the home front. This group is called the "Greatest Generation," which is a title they well deserve.
This celebrated moment in the history of our nation prompted preeminent American sculptor J. Seward Johnson, to create this sculpture, which he named "Unconditional Surrender." After several years of intensive efforts, a proud Veteran of World War II, Jack Curran, bought the sculpture, and with the outstanding support given by various Sarasota County veterans organizations, he was able to donate the sculpture to the City of Sarasota.
The presence of this sculpture prompts viewers to never forget the "Greatest Generation" or the day when they demonstrated their "Unity" - August 14, 1945.
The Sarasota Bay Trail was close to the Botanical Gardens and was a nice walk past the Marina towards Main St. where the Sarasota Bay Runner shuttle stops. After boarding the free shuttle it continues on over the Bay via the John Ringling Causeway , then thru St. Armand’s Island to Lido Key (island) and then southerly to Lido Key Beach and South Lido Key Beach (this stop temporarily unavailable due to recent hurricanes).
So, Lido Key Beach was the choice for some sand, waves and views.
Two days later, Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island was the choice for a longer “day at the beach”. It looked to me that there were at least 7.5 miles of Beach available for walking :) I walked about 3 miles to the “north” from Holmes Beach and then the 3 miles back. The sand and water looked inviting so I walked barefoot (you know, to be grounded :) I must be a “tenderfoot” because I got a large blister on the bottom of my right heel :)
CLICK HERE for a Video created from my photos.
Any ideas on what I might have been thinking when I “created” my third attempt at Beach Art??
I think I let myself be intimidated by all the people on the beach, need to get over that, right?
Have a Great Week !!
