Sarasota Discoveries

Leave it to the City of Sarasota to come up with a cute and unusual way to spend a Saturday in the summer.  Dress up your dog in costume – whatever breed or size the dog – and bring them to the park in the center of Main Street.  Let them enjoy the other dogs and especially let them enjoy the attention from many dog lovers that have come there for a parade.  The imagination for the costumes is quite varied and each one brings a smile to your face.  There are lots of “Awww he is so cute” or “How did you ever think of that” comments.  Here’s a sample of some of the cuteness you might have missed.

One of the most unique restaurants you are sure to enjoy is tucked away on a river front.  Once there, you are oblivious to the world as we know it.  Linger Lodge is a campground resort but with a very pleasurable dining experience.  The food is delicious and some can be a little curious with names such as gator chowder, gator bites and even gator ribs.  Yes, as in alligator.  And what about the snake back onion rings?  Could be interesting….

The seafood is fresh and entrees are wonderfully delicious. A lunch on the screened dining area offers a peaceful view back to nature with majestic oaks and the Braden River.  You may spot an alligator swimming about in the river as I did last visit there.  Be sure to allow time to check out the ‘wildlife’ on the walls and ceiling throughout.  A cozy bar area is a great place to hear the stories behind the resort and the animals.

It was a crisp clear day and an out-of-the-way route home down Lakewood Ranch Boulevard stopped me in my tracks.  On one side of the road was a lake full of white pelicans, wood storks and blue herons swimming back and forth across the water with the anhinga drying their wings on the bank.  On the other side of the road in a different lake were great white herons, roseate spoonbills, little green herons and more blue herons basking in the sun and feverishly feed on something yummy in the water.  It was a glorious site shared with several other drivers that stopped to enjoy and photograph.

There are many conservation and preserve areas in Lakewood Ranch that you never know what exciting wildlife experience you will have but one should always be on the lookout.