Day 196 Longboat Key Marina Saturday, December 1, 2018

Sun and clouds and the temperatures warmed to mid 80s. Very Nice. Breezy SE wind

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Today was another day in warm paradise. I truly think we will like it here.

We started our day with a bus ride into the City of Sarasota. I found that contrary to my thoughts. the public bus service comes all the way to the marina and turns at Publix and returns to the City thru St Armand Circle - it is wonderful. It starts at 7:30 and runs on the hour until early evening.

Aren't we the pair waiting for our bus.

The bus station is right in the center of the city and next to the Whole Foods store.

The event we wanted to attend is the weekly farmers market. It is similar to the St Petersburg one.

Great items. including specialty foods and breads, eat on the go food,
 

and arts like the let it snow sign, that I have to agree with as long as it means somewhere else, and

surely novelty items like this rug that I am sure my dog owning friends would agree was rather clever,  and

of course farm products.

This historic mark on trains to the area was interesting - particularly as I once did a track assessment of rail lines in the Tampa and Bradenton back in my working days.

And the downtown is very active with a lot of nice shops and restaurants.

The other objective was to find the Public Library - and here it is behind the Christmas Tree. And for my "I Spy" friends, do you see anything else that one should expect in a warm climate city - but only saw this one. Hint to the left of the tree - it is a sad thing that I am not sure what the solution is - homeless folk.

And here is a shot from the library looking across at the opera house - that is reported to host excellent productions.

And some interesting buildings

And across the street from the above building is a wonderful breakfast and lunch place that we found this past January when we were down here called First Watch. Faye is having a delicious soup and salad, and

I am having Hacienda Hash - it was very good and wonderfully creative. And the coffee is outstanding - Yum!!

And as it turns out there 23rd annual Christmas Parade is tonight. Well I think we should go see. And here we are back in town after dinner on the boat. The parade started at 7:00 and was still going strong when we left at 8:30. The best part was - what do you think?-

If you said be out at night in short sleeves and shorts - you are correct!!!! It is tough to do this back in Maine on the 4th of July of Pete's sake. I think I might get real used to this - but I know that summer is very hot to the extreme so we will be sure to be back north.

Smokey the Bear was there

Bands

Thousands (so it seemed) of kids groups from dancers to cub scouts

 And some 4-H bulls

And plenty of people!!!

As we had already had a chance to meet Santa earlier, decided to pass on waiting for him to bring up the end of the parade.

So as Santa would say to all of you for me that have been reading the blog

Good Night and May God Bless HO HO HO