Florida Day 7 January 28, 2006
BOO HOO! This trip is coming to an end all too soon. It will be tough having to go back to Ohio and the cold weather. Another gorgeous day in the sun down here. In the upper 70's this afternoon. Today the ride was a short one. It left time for doing some more sightseeing around town. Some were packing up to leave town late today, and others were back early to enjoy some wine tasting around the pool and to play games together. I just can't say enough how relaxing and enjoyable this has been. There is something about being in the sunshine that lifts your spirits and they really fly even higher when you add a bicycle ride to it all.
Quite a few started out about 8:30 AM, and another group left at 9:00. We rode again down Casey Keys - stopping again for some photos in front of Oprah's house. Well we THINK it is Oprah's house. We continued down to the end of the key and it dead ends into Stephen King's property. Of course these places are huge, and with prices to match. What a view they have here on the Gulf coast.
As we came back into Venice we continued on down south a little way on Harbor street stopping at Sharkey's for lunch. This is a favorite hang out and eats at the beach. The Venice fishing pier and beach are right there too.
I have to tell you a little about last night. By car and by foot we went down on Venice Ave to TJ Carney's Irish Pup for dinner - about 29 came for this group dinner. The band started playing as soon as we got there and they were sensational. They really knew how to get the crowd singing with their many Irish songs. We were all clapping and bouncing in our chairs all evening. Their first performance lasted a whole 1.5 hours. A break and again another 1.5 hours of song. Some were getting up and dancing. So if you are ever near Venice, FL be sure to come over to TJ Carney's. The food is terrific too. Again, as in nearly all the eateries around here, the Grouper fish was on the menu. Some had the Irish strew, Shepard's Pie, and corn beef and cabbage.
This afternoon after I got in the 33 mile ride I continued on downtown for one more look around. All the sidewalks are busy with people everywhere. I love the outdoor cafes. Wouldn't it be nice to come back to Ohio and be able to have a leisurely lunch sitting outdoors! I ventured down on Nakomis Street and went into some shops called The Merchants of Venice. I had the nicest visit with the owner of a shop that has beautiful clothes from Thailand. Being my daughter-in-law is Thi, I enjoyed talking to this lady whose name was Parichat. She came to the US nine years ago and opened up this shop. If I were not on a bicycle I would have bought some things. That's one thing about riding a bike, you don't buy much because you have to carry it somehow.
Dinner tonight -- I guess it may be at a seafood place "over the bridge" - so I've heard.
Hope you have enjoyed the web site so far. I will get a copy of Debbie's photos and get some of those posted after I get home. She has been taking some days over a hundred photos. Well, she is a fast rider and can stop and shoot pictures and hop back on her bike and still catch up with the group.
I'll add a "guest book" soon to the web site. So please be sure and sign the guest book and let me know who is out there riding along with us via the internet. Bob F has been telling me every day that his wife who stayed back home is reading this and has been keeping track of her hubby via cyber-space!
PHOTOS:
Al wonders if the owner of that "bike" can hold up his bike like Al can?
Al dancing the jig at TJ Carney's. Look at him on his tippy toes!
Another pig
downtown Venice
The
band at TJ Carney's, Venice, Florida
In
front of we think, Oprah's house
Parichat
the Thi owner of a shop in Venice
View of the Venice Fishing Pier at Sharkey's Restaurant
Outside
Sharkey's
White sands along the Gulf Coast. Ahhh, what a day in the sun!
Toni and Bob try to figure out the camera settings. These two don't look too technically incline after Pina Coladas!
Just
another group photo at Oprah's house.
Your
typical retired person down here in Florida. His red knee-high socks were a nice
addition! Maybe he is still a Boston Red Socks fan? Note the flag blowing. We
had a stiff headwind coming down the beach road.