In a very small little area called Ona several miles east of Sarasota is a whimsical attraction called Solomon’s Castle. It’s a fun trip to a one-man’s dream castle made entirely from recycled materials, namely, used printing plates from a local newspaper. That is only the beginning. His sense of humor and his artistic skills are quite enjoyable. Many of the items on display started as lawn mower engines, beer cans, old tools, etc. He has created displays of statues, framed art work that are copies of the master’s works, and operating displays – all from discarded materials. He and his family live on the property and he is usually accessible in his workshop/barn when you visit. The grounds are open to the public October thru June and it is a lot of fun to visit. Guides take you thru each room and recite the witty and entertaining dialogue that was all composed by Mr. Solomon himself. While there, lunch at the ‘boat in the moat’ is a must. It is exactly as it sounds, a boat he built with a moat surrounding it. The food is home cooked and delicious. It’s not easy to get to with many winding country roads, but worth the trip.