A Californian in Florida: February 14, 2011 We descend the grip to Sarasota…

Florida is shaped like a handgun pointed toward California, and with a large grip. Texas should be shaped like this.

We have been going east, the length of the barrel. Alachua began our turn down the grip and we think the weather must soon be better. I hitch-up in 36 degree temperatures to depart Alachua.

Lunch at a nice Florida rest stop, enjoying the sun.

We pretty well filled this rest stop.

It is sunny, a good driving day and soon the temperature is in the sixties. The landscape bordering the freeway changes from undeveloped land or land grazing goats to large horse ranches, several having racetracks for training. Another change: we pass a very large Confederate flag.

As we continue south on I-75 the area begins to become more built up and the traffic heavier. We are still hugging the gulf side of the grip, and soon we pass Tampa. We arrive at Sarasota and quickly enter the fairgrounds, our stay for the next six days: The Florida State Airstream Rally, put on annually by the nine Florida WBCCI units.

Sarasota is a resort town on the Gulf with a population of 54,000. The Ringling Brothers located their circus here starting in 1919. The circus and the Ringling family have had much to do with the development of Sarasota as a resort, and this contributed greatly to the wealth of the Ringlings.

Sarasota is also a center of Amish culture. It is Valentine Day so naturally we go to an Amish restaurant for dinner – Yoder’s, actually an Amish chain.

Chocolate peanut butter pie, a disappointment disguised by a smile.

Our 50-minute wait ends in the semi-satisfaction of comfort food – meatloaf, pulled pork, Amish potato pancakes, and a huge pie we cannot and don’t really want to finish. The prices are reasonable but the food has no special appeal, though many people clearly feel otherwise. I “surprise” Marcia with a red rose and a nice card for Valentines.