
		Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida Places Visited: Florida: Sun N Fun RV-Resort in Sarasota, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sunday January 16: Sun N Fun RV Resort 7125 Fruitville Road Sarasota, Florida 941-371-2505-- N27° 20.477' W82° 25.612' $41.00 per-night for the cheapest sites on a weekly rate. 30-amps, water & sewer with paved interior roads. The Sun N Fun community church intrigues me. The congregation is an eclectic amalgamation of Christians representing a wide variety of faiths from several countries, a multitude of states and an even greater variety of denominations and ethnically diverse communities. Participating in this service with this diverse group screams volumes about how we have so much more in common than the "talking-heads" the pundits that feed us the mindless pabulum on our airwaves would have us believe. Why do we spend so much time watching TV and listening to radio commentators? Do we really crave mind candy that much? ----- But I digress. Like last week, Sun N Fun church transported us back to the mid-20th century, somewhat like attending a small country church caught in a time warp. The Old Rugged Cross, Sweet Hour of Prayer, you get the idea all accompanied by the quintessential piano. The main difference is --------- drum roll-------- the preacher quit preaching on time! The parks featured Sunday afternoon entertainment, normally by the pool, had to move indoors because of the cool weather. That did not deter the party in the least in fact it provided a better dance floor. The Buffetesque performer was great. He also performs on cruise ships. Like other Sunday afternoons in Sun N Fun this one was great. Cool weather moved in Saturday morning and has kept most of the snowbirds out of the pool. Notice I said most. Today was in the mid-60s and rather cool in my opinion but there were some die hard snowbirds in the pool. Most of the fearless ones opted for hot tubs. The weather report tonight says the high for tomorrow is only projected to be in the low 60s. We are already in south Florida, where do we have to go to escape cold weather? Plants down here are in a quirky state of flux. Hickory trees have turned yellow and decided to drop their leaves cypress trees have changed into their rusty golden clothing while maple trees are budding out. Dancing to a different drummer seems appropriate. Monday January 17: Sun N Fun RV Resort 7125 Fruitville Road Sarasota, Florida 941-371-2505-- N27° 20.477' W82° 25.612' $41.00 per-night for the cheapest sites on a weekly rate. 30-amps, water & sewer with paved interior roads. Joyce has wanted to dine at Sweet Tomatoes since we arrived in Sarasota. We accomplished that today. Sweet Tomatoes was a girlie place that totally eschewed protein, well they did serve some beans that are supposed to have a trace of protein --- but you get my drift. Salad was their thing. Pretty good salad but, salads are what you eat as a precursor to "real food" except in this place that was all you got. Desert was pudding, Jell-O and soft ice cream. Hold me back ----- we are going to have to find a Wendy's or Chick Filet or someplace with real food to go with that salad if we make a return trip to Sweet Tomatoes. Orchid in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida After lunch we stopped by Marie Selby Botanical Garden where we spent the afternoon wandering around the grounds absorbed in tropical flora. Of special interest was the showcase green house where hundreds of epiphytes such as orchids, ferns, and bromeliads were on display in all their glory. Orchid in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida The "Oh Wow" factor was everywhere in that display house. The tropical gardens feature exotic trees like the Red Silk Cotton Tree, Banyan trees, Giant Bamboo and Palm trees from the world over. Mike amid the roots of a giant banyon tree in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida This is Mike amid the roots of a giant banyon tree. Red bar on a tourist tree in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida This is the tourist tree so named because the bark turns red and peels. Cocoanut palm tree in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida Obviously this is a cocoanut palm. They can be found all over south Florida but are not native. Joyce in view from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida Marie Selby Gardens are located on a peninsula jutting into Sarasota Bay. Views from various vantage points along the walkway make the imagination wander. View from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida Places like this make me wonder what I did wrong. View from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida This makes me understand that bumper sticker that goes something like "I'd rather be sailing". View of downtown Sarasota, Florida from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens From this vantage point we can see downtown Sarasota and the anchorage used by many boats. One day Joyce and I are going to trade in the motorhome for a trawler. We will spending the winter in this area but on a nice boat. Oh well, for now that dream will have to wait. Yellow crowned night heron in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida Joyce took this pic of a yellow crowned night heron resting in a grove of mangrove trees. Exotic screw pine in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida This is the exotic screw pine. Note that it has fruits that resemble a pineapple. Tropical papaya tree in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida We all love the fruit of this tree ---- the tropical papaya tree. Star fruit on tree in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida This is another popular fruit that many of you will recognize------ starfruit tree. Beautiful bird of paradis bloom in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida Joyce found this bird of paradise plant in bloom. Although the bird of paradise plant is a prolific bloomer in tropical climates this is not the season to find them in bloom. Coffee bush with beans in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota, Florida Whether or not you recognize this plant it is one that is very important in the every day life of many individuals. This is the all important coffee bean plant and those are coffee beans. If you are ever in the Sarasota area, make sure you visit Marie Selby Botanical Garden if you are at all interested in such things. This was Monday night and Monday night at Sun N Fun always means the awesome karaoke venue was performing to a large appreciative audience. As always we enjoyed the performances many of which were concert quality. Someone heading to Florida left the door open. Cold air has been flooding into the state since Saturday. Today's high only made the mid-60s. Until next week just remember how good life is. Mike & Joyce Hendrix Click here for more Florida travellogs Until next time remember how good life is. Mike & Joyce Hendrix Key West Adventures Adventures by State 2005 Travel Adventures Mike & Joyce Hendrix Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year Travel Adventures by State Plants Marine-Boats Geology Exciting Drives Cute Signs RV Subjects Miscellaneous Subjects** We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.