This morning we left Webster, FL to travel for about the next 6 or more months - something we look forward to each Spring since we have been full time RVer's. We are excited about the future months because we have many exciting plans, and we leave our winter domicile with many memories of the last season. For the next couple of weeks we will be in a caravan of three motorhomes with friends, and we hope you will enjoy and make comments along the way!
We enjoy many sunsets looking out over a ranch that encompasses hundreds of acres. Our neighbors are certified angus cattle for the most part, but our favorite is a Welsh pony that has become special and visits several times a day.
Toby, as we call him, has learned how to work the system. He usually goes up and down the fence that separates our property from the ranch and we all feed him....carrots, apples, and he adores peppermints. Toby has the best smelling breath in his neighborhood. We'll miss our view, the sunsets, and yesterday we spotted a bald eagle in the field for the first time in several years. OK, take my word for it, it was a bald eagle a thousand feet away!
Today RV and I travelled to west Florida to stay overnight at the Triple C Campground, in Chattahoochee, Florida. All I remember about Chattahoochee is a comment my mother used to occasionally make. She would tell my brother and I we were going to "send her to Chattahoochee"! I didn't realize it was the location of the State Mental Hospital, a very large hospital for severely and persistent major mental illnesses. I didn't have a clue what she was talking about, but it wasn't a good thing! By the way the Chattahoochee State Mental Hospital was the only State mental institution in business from 1876 to 1947, and currently has the capacity of over 1042 beds.
We'll look forward to sharing some of our unique destinations. Many of the places we'll be stopping will be for Attitude Adjustment Painting Seminars, possibly more art therapy on the road. I promise they will leave you shaking your head, maybe laughing, but always enjoying what is over the next hill. Hope you will subscribe to our page if you might be interested in following our adventures.
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Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
WHO REMEMBERS CHATTAHOOCHEE?
Thursday, July 21, 2016
AN ALUMINUM CASTLE
Google Maps has saved my sanity many times. Having been the co-pilot and chief navigator for many years, I am only the messenger now. That doesn't mean I'm not inwardly panicking when it seems like we are in the middle of nowhere by the directions that are being given, but I am now confident we can find the way back....something I never felt comfortable with my Garmin, TomTom, Magellan or even Streets and Trips.
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| Thank goodness for Google Maps today! |
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| You better turn here or you'll never find it! |
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| Sod Farm |
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| We've arrived - Solomon's Castle, Ona, FL |
We are making preparations to move south so we (I) wanted to get one more out of the way quirky destination off my bucket list. This would be a most unique and unusual place near a "smaller-than- small" town called Ona, Florida. Think we hit the "quirky" jackpot!
Solomon's Castle, about 30 minutes north of us, on roads through the middle of large cattle ranches, sod farms, lush Florida woodlands, and sleepy curvy rivers. The owner and artist, Howard Solomon, now 81, has strategically built a castle made of discarded aluminum printing plates, and it is known as "the world famous" Solomon's Castle (12,000 square feet, 3 story), and the Boat In The Moat Restaurant (a 60' replica of a 16th century Portuguese galleon).
This reminded me of the old Florida attractions you "used" to see frequently, but this is a "destination" tourist spot in a remote area of Hardee County, Florida. This attraction has been featured on BBC, PBS, CNN, Spanish National TV, Animal Planet, Better Homes and Gardens Network, the Associated Press, Gannett Publications, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald and newspapers and magazines from around the world, and more recently on our blog "RV THERE YET".
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| Solomon's Aluminum Castle |
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| Solomon's Aluminum 12,000 sf, 3 story castle |
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| Solomon's entrance - Black and White Knights |
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| Howard Solomon - Artist, Entrepreneur and a Handy Man |
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| Trojan Horse at entrance to Solomon's Castle |
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| At first glance this appears to be brick...actually it is hand stamped paint |
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| The entrance tile to Solomon's Castle |
Surprisingly, we weren't the only curiosity seekers. About 30 other visitors also took the informative tour of the castle, galleries and workshop decorated with more than 80 interpretive stained glass windows and countless repurposed metal sculptures.
Afterwards, RV and I enjoyed a delicious homemade lunch in the on-site restaurant, The Boat In the Moat, which is on a moat complete with a lighthouse, stained glass windows and an adjacent pavilion.
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| Every piece of sculpture is repurposed! |
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| Repurposed sculpture and art |
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| Repurposed cart that was originally featured in Saturday Evening Post |
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| Repurposed Train |
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| Castle Furnishings |
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| Elephant sculpture made from several 55 gallon drums toenails are shells |
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| Lion Sculpture made from a 55 gallon drum |
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| Original woodcarvings done by Solomon |
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| Stained Glass Windows on Castle |
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| Third Story of Castle |
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| The Boat In The Moat Restaurant |
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| Interior of Restaurant |
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| Interior of Restaurant - The Boat In The Moat |
Mr. Solomon still actively creates wonders within the castle with his interpretation of his unique view of the world. This is a family business filled with 4 generations who also live in the castle along with the old family cat.
While a lot of Solomon's work is tongue in cheek he has managed to repurpose and create unique art in a most enjoyable way.
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| The Family Cat - now about 18 years old |
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| Lush Florida Landscaping |
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| As we leave Solomon's Castle we have enjoyed the day! |
Thursday, July 14, 2016
THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
In our quest to find signs of Ol' Florida we left lovely Punta Gorda and traveled along the coast in a northerly direction through some of the beautiful white sandy beach towns along the West Coast of Florida to such seaside communities as Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, St. Armands Key, and Lido Key. It is difficult to see the Gulf of Mexico driving down the highway parallel to the water because most of the waterfront property is now occupied by gazillion dollar homes, and when you find a public access there may not be a parking place.
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| Historic Venice, Florida |
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| Siesta Beach #1 Beach USA |
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| St. Armands Key - time to SHOP! |
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| Longboat Key, FL |
Last year RV and I visited the summer headquarters of the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Historically, the Museum was most interesting, to say the least, but when we arrived in Sarasota and noticed The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art as well as the Ca d'Zan ("House Of John"), we decided to go to the "free on Mondays" Ringling Museum Of Art and it turned out to be an enjoyable and informative afternoon. Renovations to the home are being done on the second floor at this time.
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| Ringing Brothers Circus - Baraboo, Wisconsin Summer Headquarters |
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| The 5 Ringling Brothers known as Kings Of The Circus World |
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| The Ringling Museum of Art - Sarasota, FL |
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| The Ringling Museum Of Art Courtyard - Sarasota, FL |
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| The Ringling Museum Of Art Courtyard- Sarasota, FL |
In the 1920s, John Ringling was considered to be one of the wealthiest men in the world. He owned oil fields, railroads, ranches and vast amounts of land throughout America. Ringling speculated in the Florida land boom buying and developing land in the Sarasota Keys. In 1925, circus impresario John Ringling decided to build the Art Museum - a pink, Renaissance-style palace with 21 galleries enclosing a courtyard graced with iconic sculptures. Also in the 1920s John and Mable Ringling traveled to Europe every year to locate new circus acts and make purchases of art objects. In 1930 the Museum was finally opened featuring European paintings, paneled rooms from the Gilded Age Astor Mansion in New York, and ancient and medieval objects purchased from distinguished collections.
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| Furniture/Walls/Decor from Astor Manson from New York City |
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| One of 3 rooms from Astor Mansion from New York City |
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| Fireplace and walls from Astor Mansion from New York City |
Sarasota is fortunate the Ringlings chose two monuments to their fascination and interests: The
Ca' d''Zan and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 66 acres overlooking Sarasota Bay. The Ringling's legacy was John 1866 - 1936, and Mable 1875 - 1929. Between the years 1925 and 1931 Ringling acquired more than 600 Old Master Paintings.
Ca' d''Zan and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 66 acres overlooking Sarasota Bay. The Ringling's legacy was John 1866 - 1936, and Mable 1875 - 1929. Between the years 1925 and 1931 Ringling acquired more than 600 Old Master Paintings.
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| Old Masters Paintings - The Ringling Sarasota, Fl |
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| Bronze Sculpture - The Ringling Sarasota, FL |
When John Ringling died in 1936 an inventory reflected approximately $3 million was spent on the art collection. After the final tally, taking about a decade to resolve, a $14 million price was placed on the value of the art collection and $27 million for the estate. John Ringling, once one of the world's wealthiest men, died with only $311 in the bank.
Upon John Ringling's death in 1936 the entire estate, including the Museum, was bequeathed to the people of Florida. Many museum directors and individuals have contributed to the success the Museum enjoys today and to the fulfillment of John and Mable Ringling's dream of a great cultural center on Florida's West Coast.
Upon John Ringling's death in 1936 the entire estate, including the Museum, was bequeathed to the people of Florida. Many museum directors and individuals have contributed to the success the Museum enjoys today and to the fulfillment of John and Mable Ringling's dream of a great cultural center on Florida's West Coast.
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| The John and Mable Ringling Museum Of Art Sarasota, FL |
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| Circus Museum and miniature collection The Ringling - Sarasota, FL |
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| Beautiful Landscaping The Ringling - Sarasota, FL |
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| Lush Grounds inside The Ringling Grounds Sarasota, FL |
The State of Florida took possession in 1946. In 2000 the State of Florida transferred stewardship of The Ringling to Florida State University, establishing one of the largest and most unique university cultural facilities in America (more than 150,000 square feet), including the art museum, circus museum, the Ringling's mansion, the historic Asolo Theatre. New additions to the campus include the Visitor's Pavilion, the Education, Library, and Conservation Complex, the Tibbals Learning Center complete with a miniature circus, and the Searing Wing, a 30,000 square foot gallery for special exhibitions attached to the art museum. After years of prevailing odds it looks like the Ringling acquisitions help make the greater Sarasota area a cultural and educational center and is now known as the State Art Museum Of Florida. Based on past and future expansion projects, THE SHOW WILL GO ON FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ENJOY!!
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