Ringing out 2013 in Sarasota County

It was by accident we were able to reserve a campsite at Oscar Scherer State Park for Dec 30, 2013.  Accident?  Yes, I mistakenly reserved a pet restricted site and luckily they had a pet-friendly site for one night, a cancellation.  Most state parks allow pets at all campsites so this was not expected; however, the sites are on the river where there are ample alligators which favor dogs so pets are not allowed on the river.  Once settled we took a hike in the back woods where we encountered the illusive Florida Scrub Jay.  

One of two we saw in the scrub!

This was a true treat as I had not seen the scrub jay since I was a young whipper-snapper living in St. Augustine.  And in our rewrite of Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land which is reported to be one of the most popular folk songs.  Well, we needed a Florida song for Nature-Scape, an Earth Day celebration, at John D. MacArthur State Park back around 2000 so the lyrics were modified for Florida and the Scrub Jay has been honored in the modified lyrics.  

As camping spaces are difficult to come by on holidays and I had not booked in advance we were 'homeless' on New Year's Eve.  Luckily a friend in Sarasota came to our rescue and said, "You can park at my house, there is plenty of space."  And she said, "Come to the New Year's Eve party at WSLR."  

How could we refuse, we reserved tickets for the celebration and after settling in at Jean's house headed to the party.  She was correct, it was a fine way to spend New Year's Eve with three different bands, fun attendees, a booth to create hats and other celebration decorations, and a great food wagon.  The event was held downtown Sarasota at the Fogartyville Cafe.  

Fogartyville but not New Year's Eve

Thus began our introduction to Sarasota County
 which seemed to foretell an interesting and rewarding three months.

Note: Once again we must say "Thank you" to Jean for her continued hospitality and friendship.