A Perfect Day for Fun-Filled Activities

Ken and I got up around 6:30 and he was on a walk with Ernie by 7:30.  I got ready to play pickleball and was on the court by 8.  There were lots of people ready to play and I was able to play 3 games before returning to Waldo around 9:15.  I finally played a little better and was more aggressive.  It was fun, but I wish Ken could play too.  His heel is not any worse, but improving very slowly.

Ernie and Noela got here at 10, we loaded the bikes and were on our way to Caspersen Beach, about a 40 minute drive.  When we arrived we unload our bikes and got on the Venetian Waterway Trail along the Intracoastal Waterway. Every time we ride on this trail it is a wonderful adventure.  It is so beautiful and a rather easy ride.  We saw gopher turtles, a bald eagle, and some birds.  When we got to downtown Venice, we had to get a scone at the Upper Crust - it is a necessity, but we did skip the Devenshire Cream! You have to save calories where you can!!!!  We rode back to Caspersen Beach, the ride being 11 1/2 miles.  We checked out Caspersen Beach and were amazed at how small the beach area was compared to last fall. Refurbishment of the beach may be in order!!!! 

Love the gopher turtles!

L

There is a part of the bike trail that is not along the water,
but it is very beautiful!

In 1960, Venice became the winter home of the
Ringling Brothers Barnum/Bailey Circus.  They had their
last performance in Venice in 1998.

Can't beat the beautiful scenery along the trail!

The bridge open for the large mast on this sailboat!

Majestic, huh???????

When I am in downtown Venice these scones just call my name!

The Kilwin's  Candy and Ice Cream Store in Venice.  Looks
good enough to eat!

We drove to Sweet Tomato near Sarasota for lunch, a bit further than anticipated.  We only got there at 2:30, way past Ernie's lunchtime!!!!  It offers over 40 feet of fresh ingredients on their salad bar, in addition to original recipe, hand-tossed salads, scratch-made soups, freshly baked muffins, focaccia breads, and more.  The specialty soup for Jan. is tomato basil and it was exceptional.  They also offer a dessert bar and an ice cream machine.  If you are there from 11 to 4 and are a "senior" it only costs $7.49 including all you want to drink and eat.  Somethings make it worth being a senior citizen!  Then is was on to Costco where Ken was able to get the 87 pills that he didn't get when at the Costco near Tampa and Noela finally got her beach chair.  So glad she won't have to eat her lunch on a beach towel when she is at the beach!

We only got back to Waldo at 6:30 after a busy, fun-filled day!  Time to relax and rest!  This was a perfect weather day.  Lots of sunshine and temperatures in the upper 70's.  Tomorrow is expected to be a repeat of today, so we will head to the beach!