On to Sarasota

As planned, we got to the Sanctuary before 7:00 am and made coffee in the parking lot.  When the trail opened we were the first ones out and didn’t finish until close to four hours later.  There were many good birds – many red shouldered hawks, including a mating pair, pileated woodpeckers, black and yellow-crowned night herons, fly over wood storks and painted buntings at the feeders.

We left about 1 pm and headed north, stopping for a bagel breakfast and a quick nap at Myakka State Forest. Ron thought we should try for a site at the State Park but when we got there no luck. The ranger suggested we take the park drive anyway and stop for dinner at the cafe, so we did. But service was s-l-o-o-o-w and we wanted to get to Jane’s before dark so after waiting and reminding the waitress many times we finally (after close to two hours) asked for one of the dinners wrapped to go and rushed out.  Bad move.  The next day I realized my pocketbook was missing and probably left behind at the crowded cafe. Tried calling but there was no answer so there was nothing to do but hop back in the van and retrieve the bag.

Spent the evening watching Olympics with Jane, Tom and Anne.  we have campground reservations for the next two nights so should be more relaxed as we head back to Daytona to finally resolve the saga of the van.  Fingers crossed!