I will return to Nokomis (where I left the blog last) in a moment, but I must make mention of the events that played out at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday 14 December just over 2 weeks ago.
We were driving to Key West when we first heard news of the mass killings on the radio. Like everyone in this country and across the world we followed the unravelling events with horror. Incomprehensible! Such sadness for so many families, friends and loved ones. How does one ever move on from such an event? It is impossible to think of the effect of that morning on those families so involved. The outpouring of sympathy from all around the world reflected the unbelievable tragedy.
One story which I will share with those at home. Several groups of 'comfort' dogs, mainly golden labradors - specially picked and trained - were brought to Newtown to provide comfort to adults and children alike. One group of 9 labradors made an 800 mile trip from Illinois. I also read of people travelling to Newtown with their own dogs to provide comfort.
I am sure that much more far reaching measures will be considered, and hopefully put in place to safeguard as much as possible against just such an event occurring again. In this case a simple thing like having a dog to hug and to weep into, makes so much sense.
So back to Nokomis where we spent a wonderfully relaxed week. We very quickly got into a routine of walking (me), swimming (Trevor), bike riding, eating and drinking, finishing each day around Jack's legendary campfire.
We rode part of the Legacy Trail, a bicycle trail which runs along a former railroad corridor between Sarasota and Venice. It passes by waterways; has rest areas and even restrooms. A bypass over Highway 41 - a beautiful spanish looking bridge - connects the trail with others in the area. The trail was an easy ride; a wonderful surface without many (any) hills. One day we did a round trip of about 15 miles without realising we had gone so far!We were also made welcome by Jack and Betty's friends who, like Jack and Betty travel to Florida each winter from places north including from Canada. It was interesting to hear where they all came from and the arrangements they make on an annual basis.
We dined out several times including dinner at Pop's Sunset Grill in Nokomis which overlooks the intracoastal waterway just over the bridge from Nokomis beach. The restaurant includes waterfront seating and an area of dining tables with fire pits in the centre (of each table). I had a wonderful seafood meal which came with an Edamame Salad - green soya beans. It was delicious!
On Saturday we had a pancake breakfast at the Resort. It was so well organised. We were all waited on; the pancakes were great and it was another opportunity to meet more very friendly people. We were telling one couple about Todd's berth as a crew member on a yacht sailing in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Boxing Day. They are planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand next year and wanted to pick our brains - about New Zealand!! Hope we didn't lead them too far astray!
On Sunday 9 December we went out to breakfast with Jack and Betty and 2 of their friends. Again fabulous food!
In the afternoon we had visitors. Mary Lou and Courtenay from Michigan. They come south for the winter to
a resort about 30 miles away. When they learned we were staying in Nokomis they drove over. It was so nice to see them.
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| A street character in Venice! |
On Sunday evening, our last evening in Nokomis, Jack and Betty took us to a Mexican restaurant in Venice. The food was fantastic and so were the Margaritas!
We then went driving to look at Xmas lights at the Grace Baptist Church. Over 500,000 lights all synced to music with a one of a kind light show every 25 minutes. It displays each evening from 9-26 December and is free to all.
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