3/6/2020

Last night there was a thick deck of clouds when we walked over to the beach for our sunset viewing. 

 We played cards and the boys won so the score is now tied at 6 to 6.  Tonight is our last night here so we will play for the Siesta championship!

It was not a beach day today - highs in the low sixties and windynso we started the day with a sunrise walk on the beach

and then drove into Sarasota to the Art Ovations Hotel.  There is a huge art exhibit in the lobby/dining area of the hotel and different artists are featured on each floor in the elevator lobbies.

wall mural on the side of a building across from the hotel

my favorite painting

Russ trying out a chair on the roof pool deck

We drove down to the water area where the couples took turns re-enacting The Kiss.

We walked around the marina and noticed a party barge decked out with real palms on the top deck.  It was a bit brisk for a ride, but we did see people lining up a few minutes later - hope they had some warm clothes!

We walked over to a park and noticed that there were lots of school children there on a field trip.  The exhibit was called Embracing our Difference.  Over 16,000 art works and quotes on the theme were submitted from 127 countries and 50 states.  The art and quotes were each judged separately and then a panel matched each quote with an appropriate piece of art.  They were blown up to bill board size and distributed throughout the park.  It was a wonderful exhibit!  We watched a group of fifth graders and they chose two panels to replicate on paper and then write about what the artist was trying to portray and judge the appropriateness and meaning of the quotes.  What an awesome learning experience and talking point for these students!

Since we can't have any leftovers tonight, we have decided to do take out grouper sandwiches from The Cottage for dinner tonight.  We have to get up early tomorrow as Russ and Cathie have an early flight.  Dave and I will go in with them and talk, people watch, and read until it is time for our flight.  We will arrive in Providence at 6 and then drive home.  This has been a great time - lots of walks, sunshine, birding and relaxation.  We hope to do it again next year.