Sarasota

Yesterday we took a trip down to Sarasota to see the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. To get there you have to take the Sunshine Bridge. It is a 4 mile bridge and is the most beautiful bridge I have ever crossed. I thought the clown museum was going to be just that, but we ended up staying there all day. They did have a history of clowns and a video on how to put on a clown face plus a store that had all kinds of supplies from hats to noses to shoes. Really it was a museum about the Ringling Brothers Circus. It was amazing to see all the outfits that the entertainers and the animals wore. They had everything from the truck the used to shoot the clowns out of a cannon to a large scale replica of the whole circus with tents and trains and all. Also what I didn't realize is that the Ringlings had a massive art collection from all over the world. These were all original paintings that came from the 1400's through modern art. Some were so large they covered a wall then there were the smaller ones like the "Blue Madonna". Incredible! Well, today is our last full day here and then we head home. I understand it thawed a little yesterday so I am encouraged!