2/24/20

We had a lovely evening last night.  After our dinner of leftovers, we walked behind the complex to the bay side.  While we were enjoying the water and the view of the bascule bridge over to the mainland, we saw a dolphin swim by.  It was quite exciting!  The evening was so lovely we decided to walk to the beach.  They were having a huge drum circle on the beach and there must have been close to 1000 people watching the sun set and listening to the drums.  It was wild!  Apparently this huge drum circle appears every Sunday evening an hour before sunset to entertain the crowds.  We were lucky that we were able to enjoy the spectacle.  People were dancing in the sand, someone was blowing incense (and marijuana) over the drummers - a unique experience to be sure.  I am so glad that we are within walking distance to the beach.  The line of cars trying to get to the bridge was steady for an hour after we were back in the condo.  We walked back (close to 2 miles all told and had our nightly game to cards battle - again the boys won!!!  Horrors - Cathie and  will have to up our game tonight!!!

This morning we rented beach chairs and an umbrella and headed to the beach.  This is probably one of the widest beaches I have ever seen and the sand is so soft and white - it is like powder.  I learned that it is 98% quartz. There were lots of walkers (Cathie and I took a long one), bikers, and people pushing wheelchairs with balloon tires. We had a lovely breeze and stayed about 4 hours.  We saw parasailing and giant kite flying.  There were a number of Amish people at the beach - most of them in their traditional garb, but we saw a number of young ladies in their head coverings and one piece bathing suits - there must be different sects here.  Cathie though she heard there was a convention of Amish here this week.  As we were leaving the beach, someone from Essex Junction Vermont recognized Russ from the gym.  It is a very small world!  We will go to dinner in Sarasota tonight at some place called Owen's Fish Camp.  I will let you know how the food is tomorrow.