January 6, Day 195 – In Clearwater

Today was cold but, thankfully, very sunny. Gerry picked up the rental car early in the morning and then we headed out to Sarasota for the day. We had plans to meet our friends, Michael and Jana (Second Star) at the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art. This place is a huge complex with several different venues: The Circus Museum, the Museum of Art, Cà d'Zan Mansion, and a Learning Center plus several smaller buildings and lots of gardens. We started out at the Historic Asolo Theater where there was a short film about the theater itself along with the story of the Ringling Brothers Circus. We spent a few hours wandering through the various buildings learning about the “glory days” of the circus and the Ringling family.

We next went to a marine supply surplus store where we bought 2 chairs for the fly bridge. Gerry has been looking for chairs for a couple of years and decided this was a good deal. Installing them will give him something to do on one of the rainy days expected this weekend.

We drove to St. Armands Circle on Lido Key. This is an area of very interesting shops, restaurants and hotels – very upscale. We had an early dinner with Michael and Jana at one of the local Italian cafes and then drove back to Clearwater. It had been fun to get off the boat for the day and the weather was actually quite nice.

The entrance to the Ringling Art Museum Complex

This, and the following pictures, were taken inside the Howard Tibbals Learning Center which houses the world's largest minature circus. The model is a replica of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919 – 1938. It was created over a period of more than 50-years by master model builder and philanthropist Howard Tibbals. There are no 2 pieces alike and everything was done by hand. It was truly amazing.

Entrance to the "Big Show"

The animals in their cages. Although it really doesn't show up in this picture, the detail on all the cages was incredible.

Scene from the "big top"

The railway car used by John and Mabel Ringling as they traveled around with the circus.

The human cannon machine. Anybody up for a ride??

These people were shot out of the cannon on a daily basis.

Gerry peaking through the Calliope

A bunch of Banyan trees on the grounds.

The entrance to Cà d'Zan Mansion. This was one impressive home. Mabel Ringling was very much involved with the design of the home; unfortunately, she died after living here for only 3 years.

A shot looking into the main room on the first floor. They called this the "Court"

A sitting area

Ceiling and chandelier. The chandelier was purchased from the old Waldorf Astoria when it was demolished to make way for the Empire State Building.

Another shot of the "Court"

A very decorative bird cage

The breakfast room -- not unlike the breakfast room on our boat (ha ha)

The outside (rear) of the mansion. It is situated right on the water. There were actually several boats anchored right off the grounds.

Top of the mansion ... notice the interesting staircase on the left