Sunday, January 31, 2010

Fountains of youth

I'm a fountain lover. Maybe it's the fountain of youth thing, or maybe it's just the sound of water on a hot day. Unfortunately, the recent cold snap forced some of these to be temporarily turned off. It doesn't matter, I couldn't resist them.

Venice Beach

Vero Beach

Amelia Island, city centre

St. Marys
Amelia Island, train station.

Isn't this lovely. And so thoughtful. A cool drink for man, horse and dog.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

"A picture is worth a thousand words"- Michelangelo

"The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits"--Eden Phillpots

At the Vero Beach Museum of Art, they also have a student program. They mean students of all ages, and in many media. Watched as one ancient lady in pink sweats, leaning on her walker, dragging her art case behind her, headed for a classroom.

A student workroom between classes.

Some of the student art is really good and is displayed in the gallery.

Bronze sculpture. Seems to be saying; 'what have I done'.

Portrait of a lady.

Beautiful abstract.

They teach students of all ages. These are 4th & 5th graders, working with papermache and dixie cups. The kid's stuff knocked me out with its creativity.

Sea Otter floating in blue water. Look at the intricate fingers and whiskers.

Notice the careful attention to the penguins feet.

This is my favorite. Colorful and happy octopus, with curly eyelashes and cupid lips.

This is the best I can do.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Lawn Art

Stopped at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. It's an interesting place where art of various kinds is taught. The Museum displays both student and professional work. There was an unusual collection on the back lawn. It was called Food for Thought, by artists Luis Montoya and Leslie Ortiz.


The pieces are enormous. Made of bronze and finished in wonderful colors.


Notice the tapper on the side of the vessel holding grapes.

The seeds next to the slice, were nearly as tall as me.

The name of this piece is Killer Tomatoes. At over twenty feet tall, it's a hernia at the very least.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Life's a beach

Spent a few days at Venice Beach. It's a lovely spot on the gulf coast just below Sarasota. It's definitely a spot for the young at heart, rather than the young in age. Anything one wants to do, they can do in Venice. There is tennis, shuffleboard, windsurfing, and even karaoke at the beach pavilion in the evening.

It used to be an army air base. The army always gets the best places. I'm pretty sure some of the tourists were once stationed here.

No, these are not elderly homeless people sleeping on the beach. It's a yoga class which is held every morning. This group is busy practicing breathing. Thankfully, I can still remember to do that pretty much without practice.

If one is interested to practice yoga, a more pleasant spot would be hard to find. Just watch out for the sea gulls. You know, so they don't pluck out your eyeball by mistake.

I just thought this was cute.

Students gathered in the beechside park improving their painting technique.

Artistic inspiration supplied by the outgoing tide.

Evening in Venice with a few friends.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

"Gone Fishin"

Quiet cove. Expert at work.

Early morning on the Gulf. Man and his bait box.

Evening on the beach. Have metal detector, will travel.

Monday, January 25, 2010

"Believe it or Not"-Ripley

It has been suggested to me a time or two, that I make this stuff up. Happened to have a camera handy when this guy passed us.

Why bother making things up. I just wait a while. Something unusual always shows up.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Spanish Eyes

Stopped at Spanish Point in Little Sarasota Bay. This area was inhabited over four thousand years ago by American Indians so ancient, they have no name. I guess that's why they call it Spanish Point; even though the Seminoles were here to meet the Spanish when they arrived. But who am I to quibble with history.

Archeologists are excavating a midden left by these ancient people to understand them better. What is a midden you ask? It's a garbage dump. In this case, a giant hill of sea shells, animal bones, and stone tools.

The flora and fauna is as interesting as the scientific dig. It felt so right for a ghost story.

There are swamps all over the place. Look at this one. Can you imagine old Ponce de Leon and his men landing on this spot?

Then they must fight their way through tangles of mangrove roots. I'm sure there's a water moccasin just under that branch.

And just when they think they're getting to dry land, they stumble into spiky plants, which pierce their boots and send them toppling into the ooze.

They make it to land, only to be met by fantastical dragon trees.

Finally they find something normal.

Only to be drawn into trees dripping with Spanish moss. Zombies come rushing from the thickets.

So Ponce and the boys make for the boats.

Only to find the zombies have found them first.

Alas, no fountain of youth this trip.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

"LUCY!"- Ricky Ricardo




Spent the day in Cape Canaveral with one of my most favorite people in all the world, my Aunt Lucy. She's a hoot and an all around wonderful person. She's not named Lucy for nothing, I can tell you. We laughed it up while she attempted to teach me Mahjong. It's nothing like the computer version at all. It's very complicated.

While we yucked it up, Staff Support battled the evil spirits that were strangling Aunt Lucy's computer. After working half the afternoon, bloodied but unbowed, the Wizard of Odd at last vanquished the evil fiends. A good time was had by all. Even Skylar the dog.

One final picture. It is Florida after all.

Friday, January 22, 2010

"On the Road Again"-Willy Nelson

Leaving Amelia Island, we braved a ferry crossing to the mainland. The boat took us about 150 feet.

Where we were greeted by Larry, Moe and Curly, who attempted to hide their smirks at our gullible tourist folly.


Stopped in St. Augustine long enough to shoot the Spanish fort.


Braving the dangerous alleys of old town, we were forced to flee from an industrious, not to mention sweaty, one man band in a funny hat.


Our passage was temporarily diverted to Daytona. Where Staff Support, answering some over-powering male urge, was forced to drive down the beach, park backwards to catch a glimpse of scantily clad lovelies (all about 85 years old at this time of year), and take a pee in a ramshackle beach side bathroom. It's a boy thing. I don't get it either. Some things just have to be accepted and quietly forgotten.


Reached Cocoa Beach in time to see the sun set.


Where we were greeted by this unusual fellow in the hotel lobby.


And this creepy one in our bathroom.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

"Adventure is worthwhile in itself." - Amelia Earhart

There is a small island at the border of Ga. and Fl. called Amelia Island. This is the lovely beach on Amelia Island. Perfect weather, with barely another soul around.


The City of Fernandina Beach is the old town on Amelia Island, and my new most favorite small town.

The original train depot is now a welcome center.

Centre street, the quaint retail district, runs roughly five blocks terminating at the waterfront dock.

What can I say? I like pretty lampposts.

Did I mention the pirate? This one stands in front of the old train station. There was another one, much more fearsome, guarding the entrance to a small shop. Unfortunately, the shop owner noticed my covetous interest, and hastily wheeled him inside. It was for the best. He wouldn't have fit in the car.

One of the natives, showing his disdain of tourists with cameras.