I did take two outings. I attended a Lutheran church about 20 miles away in Avon on Sunday. After the service I talked to several people about what to do in the area. One suggested a Sunday brunch at a lodge on the lake in Sebring, just 15 miles down the road. As I walked into the restaurant, I noticed pictures of race cars on the walls. Race cars. Sebring. I made the connection. A couple dining in the restaurant guided me to the racetrack. The male had spent two years as assistant director of Mount Rainier National Park. He knew how to pronounce Puyallup.
The race track was open and required no entrance fee. The guard directed me to drive into the paddock. I parked in amongst the race cars and climbed some stairs to the grandstand at the starting line. The first race consisted of cars driven off the street. Porches, BMW, and others wound around the 4 mile track for around 15 minutes. The second race was off road Porches, Vipers, Corvettes, BMW, etc. driven by drivers hoping to qualify for a major race. The top speeds were 160 MPH. It was a cold fifty degrees with a north wind. I didn’t stay too long.
It warmed up on Monday and on Tuesday I drove to Sarasota and St Petersburg. Sarasota has special meaning for me. When a child, every birthday and Christmas I would get a card from Sarasota. In the card would be a $10 check. (Yes, several times I was reprimanded as I opened the envelope, not reading the card, but looking for the check.) The gift came from Aunt Ragna, my Wigen grandfather’s sister, and a sponsor at my baptism. As a young child I felt she led a magical life. She lived in Sarasota most of the year. Even in the 50’s, she visited Hawaii and took several cruises. She didn’t marry until late in life, never had children, and she always paid some special attention to me. Once, she offered to ship me a small alligator. A jest, I assume.
I should remember her address. I don’t. The only address that I have is the last address of her twin sister, whom she lived with for most of her life. I visited the residential complex, a combination of 3 retirement services: apartments, assisted living, and a hospital setting. Whoo. First class. I’ll give you one picture. The pink high rise structure's ground floor had several commercial rooms. One was a combination barbershop/beauty parlor. One elderly gentleman (90’s?) sat in the chair waiting his turn. He wore slacks, white shirt, bow tie, and a cardigan sweater. Each resident that I observed was dressed as if they had just returned from attending a wedding.
The second draw in Sarasota is Siesta Key beach. It is often rated as the best beach in the world. It is unique in that the sand is quartz. It has a powdery feel and actually squeaks as you walk on it. Beautiful. A contrast noted. A group of young ladies in their string bikinis were sitting in close proximity to a group of Amish, fully clothed in long pants and dresses. The community bordering the beach was filled with retirement housing and condos. Upscale is a modest description.
St Petes drew me for a similar reason. Fort DeSoto Park is rated as one of the top sites in the U.S. for public camping. I hope that we can land there as we make our way north out of the Everglades. A county park, it is extremely popular and reservations are full through April. Drop ins are welcome as they book only to 70% capacity. In any case, I wanted to see it. All campsites are treed and most border the water, ringing a peninsula that projects out into Tampa Bay. White beaches surround the park and bicycle paths lead to many bays and beaches. It would have been an idyllic place to spend this week but hopefully Barb and I experience DeSoto together.
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