www.DavidPAdams.com/Sarasota2007.html

Like last year, I went to Sarasota over Labor Day weekend.  This year there were no problems with the flights.  It's a good destination for a tourist, but it's also a little strange to be there.  I was able to get a really good package deal with Delta and stay at the Ritz, which was more than fine, but of course it's beastly hot there that time of year, which is why you can get deals.  I've seen the sights, shopped, and eaten in the good restaurants, so I'm not sure that I'll be back. 

I did strictly what I wanted, which meant sleeping in and enjoying favorite restaurants, especially Selva Grill, which is one of my all-time favorites.  (Please see last year's page for more restaurant information.)  I took a day trip to St Petersburg to visit the local art museum.  Not much is open on a holiday, so I spent Labor Day at the Ringling Museum, visiting the art and old circus museums and having lunch at the fancy new restaurant. 

the downtown marina

We go to the West Coast of Florida for the sun and the sunset.

the "banner" of the Ringling Museum, downloaded from its web site

the Ringling mansion

interior courtyard of the art museum

be sure to visit both circus buildings

There was a modest but attractive exhibit of Impressionist works from the Brooklyn Museum.  The Monet painting of the Doge's Palace in Venice was downloaded from the Ringling Museum web site.