February 17, 2007

Sarasota, Fl



We visited the estate owned by John Ringling. It includes the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. We saw some impressive art including a large collection of Rubens. The museum was built in Italian Renaissance style and the courtyard has an impressive display of sculptures. John Ringling, of circus fame, built a large home on Sarasota Bay. His winter residence known as Ca d'Zan cost $1.5 million in 1926 and the 32 room mansion resembles a Venetian Palace. The 66 acre complex also includes the Circus Museum with gilded parade wagons, calliopes, costumes, posters, and more. The gounds are landscaped with huge banyon trees and statues are everywhere! Sarasota has long been noted as a vacation spot but is also quite an art community owing much to the Ringlings.
Another day while in Sarasota we stumbled across the Art Festival as we were trying to get to Whole Foods for lunch. We took lots of clown photos, which seemed appropriate, before we joined friends at the El Adobe.


We then found an Irish festival at a nearby pub and enjoyed Irish music, food, and dancers. Sunday should be a day of rest and a grouper sandwich at Turtle Beach!

Check out our other photos.

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