LOTS OF FUN THINGS TO DO DURING OUR DAYS OFF

While working in Sarasota, we try to maximize our off days with all there is to do in the Sarasota area.

We took our bikes along to Sarasota to use the wonderful bike trails available in the area.  On a beautiful January day, we took our first bike ride along Nathan Benderson Park to a new upscale mall just finished last fall.  The park includes an Olympic size rowing course where various premier crew events are held during the year.  The bike ride was wonderful because the ride was flat and there were water birds everywhere.  

Here are two different water birds we spotted along our ride.  First, an Anhinga perched on some rocks along the shoreline.  

another Anhinga drying its wings from atop a branch,

and a Blue Heron.

We saw this sign but didn't see any gators swimming this day.

A co-worker told us about the Robinson Preserve in Manatee County, a short 30 minute drive from Sarasota.  On another day off, we took our bikes to this nice park which borders the area where the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay meet.  We climbed to the top of the park's watch tower for this spectacular view looking northwest towards the Gulf.

We were also able to view various sea creatures from the many bridges crossing the swamp land.

On Fat Tuesday, we attended a Mardi Gras party hosted by Jerry and Karen Kovar.  Jerry is a former co-worker at the Orioles.  Here Jerry is hard at work in the kitchen preparing a traditional New Orleans muffaletta sandwich.  Bob Schomp, another co-worker, is standing in the background enjoying some of Jerry and Karen's tasty New Orlean's cuisine.

Ann and I were dressed for the occasion with beads, fake glasses, etc., happily drinking wine and enjoying the festivities.

We are always looking for places to try new craft beers.  Within the last year, two craft breweries have opened in Sarasota.  JDubs is located less than a mile from Ed Smith Stadium where the spring training games are played.  

We eagerly visited their tasting room for some freshly brewed beer.  The fun friendly atmosphere is characterized by the colorful mailbox out front of the brew house.  We have enjoyed Up Top, their signature IPA, on several occasions and have taken six packs home to Gainesville. JDubs also has a nice outdoor space with games for adults as well as children. 

The other new craft brewery is Big Top Brewing, appropriately named from the circus heritage in Sarasota.  Did you know the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Baily Circus called Sarasota its' winter home as early as 1919?  The Big Top tasting room is about 2 miles from the Sun-N-Fun Resort, our home away from home in Sarasota.  We have enjoyed Circus City IPA in their tasting room whenever we just happen to drive by. 

They are creative in that they offer a frequent visitor program by way of a punch card. While we didn't reach the ten punches to get a free draft, we still enjoy drinking their freshly brewed beer. Note: the punch card has no expiration date so it will be with us in 2016 when we go back to Sarasota for spring training.

We also took a drive to Tampa to visit the Cigar City Brew Pub.  We have enjoyed drinking their signature IPA, Jai Alai (named after the Spanish game), for several years. The light fixtures in the bar area were unique--made from a barrel.

Their menu is also different with many offerings not usually found in a brew pub. We particularly enjoyed the black bean dip served with malanga chips for dipping. We have also enjoyed their grilled Cuban with yuca fries. The 32 oz. growler on the table is used instead of a water pitcher. Notice the beer cans hanging around the light above our table.

Sarasota is renowned around the world for its beaches.  The beach at Siesta Key is often rated the #1 beach by various publications.  This is one of the beautiful sunsets we enjoyed at Siesta Key Beach.

Before leaving Sarasota, we enjoyed Easter Brunch at the Holiday Inn on Lido Beach, one of Sarasota's islands.  We had never been to Lido Beach before so were interested in seeing the difference between this beach and Siesta Key.  Here is the magnificent view from the 7th floor dining room.  Notice the deep blue cloudless sky and calm Gulf waters - a picture postcard Florida day.

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