Boat Problems in Sarasota

Sarasota, Florida wants to live by the water without getting wet.  The Captain and The Kid made it into Sarasota.  We tossed in a hook just off Island Park. 

It seems there is a controversy in town about people living on boats in the bay.  The Captain does not get involved in this kind of debate, so no comments.  What is sad is that some nice people are going to be forced from their homes on the water by people who pretend to enjoy living by the water, but don't like getting wet.

A reliable source, who waited a cocktail party at Marina Jack at Island Park reported that while the over-dressed-for-the-water-partiers sipped martinis they complained about the sights, sounds and smells of the marina.  

Hmm?  Marinas are sights, sounds, and smells.  That is kinda the definition, in practice, of marina.  What a contrast.  Out on the bay boaters with sundowners enjoying the water.  Out overlooking the bay complainers with martinis enjoying not being too near to the actual water. 

This Captain will try to get a couple of locals to comment in the days ahead, but for now it is nice to be at anchor and at a beautiful spot.  We rowed into a place named O'Leary's.  It has food and drink with a Tiki Bar.  Many locals hang out there but this group seems to mix pretty well with boaters.  I had been craving a hamburger since the shrimp soup episode.  O'Leary's does a pretty good burger.  I got the Double Deck Burger.  More hamburger than one should eat, but it was good.  There is a full menu including seafood fare.  You order inside and pick it up at the window to eat out on the deck, or at a table on the sand by where the dinghy tie-up is.

We have been here before.  Sarasota is where we had met our wooden pirate friend.  Still no new reports about his mysterious vanishing.  We will check on some possible clues while we are in town.  Hurricane season is upon us.  Sarasota has ducked under some in recent years and side-stepped a few more.  Let's hope this year will be as good for her. 

Boating or not, Sarasota can be a good escape.  Siesta Key has some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world.  The village of Siesta Key can be kinda touristy, but since The Captain and The Kid don't do tourist, I will share some what to do stuff to enjoy the charm that can be found there.

"Is this all we are having."  The Kid was looking at my burger.

"No let's get another pitcher and some more fries."

"OK.  I heard that a steel drum band is playing later.  Let's hang out for awhile and listen."

If you want to escape to a place that can give you some good key elements to a nice getaway, try Sarasota.  Its not Margaritaville, or Kokomo.  It has some drawbacks, but there are good pluses to use this as an escape.  More later about both.

The Captain and The Kid