Spending More Time in Venice, FL



Another Beautiful Sunset!



Some of our local "4 legged" friends at Snake Island

Snook Haven Campground

Sunday afternoon "bike rally"



River view at Snook Haven



Says it all!

Wonderful Sand Castle at Casey Key

Sand castle built by a crew of the Travel Channel

Hi Captain!

Gathering at Snake Island

Doing what we do best......

Typical day on Snake Island

Nokomis Beach gathering at dusk!

Beat that drum!

Ol' Hippies never die!

Drum Circle

Spending time in Venice has turned out to be a wonderful decision. We absolutely love this town! Having Jeff and Linda around is definitely a bonus. They were great in keeping Mike busy while I went to Dallas to see our grandbaby. I was gone for ten days and I'm not sure he missed me! LOL!

I haven't updated my blog since just after New Year's Day. So bear with me – I'll try to catch up! We've spent a lot of time at Snake Island. This is the island near the Venice Inlet that is a local gathering spot. Mike met a lot of the locals there while I was gone. He's become one of them, I think! At any given day, there will be a number of boats there hanging out – usually around Happy Hour – of course. It's just a short dinghy ride from the Marina. Mike has also caught several fish – we've been eating good!

Thanks to Linda, I've discovered Beall's Department Store! I don't think we have any back in Missouri. If we hang out here much longer, I may have to get a job there! I've been adding to my Floridian wear! After all, I do need to fit in right? I am becoming a Floridian! I think I'm adapting well. LOL!

We've found several neat places to hang out. There are beaches all around here. Mike and I have taken the dinghy to the beach and hung out for the afternoon. Yeah, I miss the Missouri winter weather. NOT! The weather has been beautiful here. We couldn't ask for any better - sunny and warm most of the days. No problem!

We had dinner with Linda and Jeff at the Saltwater Café in Sarasota for my birthday. It was a fun night! Lots of good food and great times. If you have to turn a year older you might as well make the best of it!

Jeff and Linda went to visit their grandbaby for a few days. They left us their car to use while they were gone. What a great thing to do! We took advantage of having a car for a few days by going to the Laundromat, grocery store and several other errands. We even drove out to the Venice Fishing Pier and had lunch at Sharky's on the Pier. Great little place with a terrific view.

Last Sunday we drove out to Snook Haven. This is a canoeing camp on a river just out of town. Every Sunday they have a "bike rally" with a live band. It was our kind of place! We wished we had our bike here! Both the food and music was good. What a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Oh, but before that – we spent Saturday evening at Nokomis Beach. Every Saturday at sunset there is a local tradition which has been around for decades here at Nokomis Beach. It is the Nokomis Beach Drum Circle. It is a gathering just a few hours before dusk where several drummers pound out a beat for dancers of all types – belly dancers, hula hoopers and twirlers! Little kids to great-grandparents - everyone enjoys it and everyone joins in. Of course, Mike brought his own percussion section on the boat so we loaded up our instruments along with a cooler. We had a ball – pounding the drums and shaking the tambourine - my hippie days came out in all their glory! The drumming continues as the sun sets on the sparkling water and afterwards as the moon and stars come out to play. We've been told that sometimes you may even see dazzling fire dancers performing after dark. So far, we haven't been that lucky. We're going back again this Saturday night – folding chairs, cooler and instruments in tow! Hey, it's free!!   The Age of Aquarius!!!!

Just over the bridge and a few blocks from the Marina is a really neat part of downtown Venice. It has several specialty shops, outdoor cafes, and bars. I love just walking around this area and watching the people. In fact, I'm headed that way this afternoon. There's a bakery over there I want to try. Hmmm!!

Mike had spent a lot of his time here working on NautiNell. There is always something to do around here. It's more of a labor of love. Nothing big – but painting this or sanding that – making her in tip-top shape! She doesn't even look like the same boat I saw for the first time at Smith Point back in March.

We have had several other Loopers come through while we've been here. We wave as they go down the ICW. Some have stopped for a visit and some have stayed a few days. Currently Black Tickle and Glory Days are here. It's nice to have some other Loopers around. Our plans are to stay here through the end of the month. We will then head down the coast to the Ft Myers area – planning to spend some time around Sanibel, Captiva and Punta Gorda. We will then head on down to the Keys – probably Marathon Key or Islamorada. We'll eventually work out way up the east coast of Florida to Ft Lauderdale. Here we plan to cross to the Bahamas (Abacos). We plan to spend the month of April there. Of course, nothing is in concrete. We just can't plan to far ahead – we might miss something else if we do!!

I can't close without mentioning a little about my trip to Dallas. I had a wonderful trip and made all connecting flights. I spent 10 whole days holding and playing with my new grandbaby, Allison, who was born December 29. She is the most precious thing ever! While I was there – my two BFFs came down from Joplin to visit me – Debbie and Pam. It was great to see them. We shopped, ate and visited until we were pooped out! Can't wait until I make another trip back to Dallas. Grandma will need her fix!

Till next time!

Admiral "C"




Allison Marie



Daddy's Girl!