We鈥檙e happy to see photos of Parisians at their local caf茅s once again. The news from Menton is much more exciting in that community life can start again, your restaurants are opening, Sablette is coming back to life, and the Promenade du Soleil is now totally available for pedestrians. We truly miss the Menton life!
Here in Sarasota, Florida, we鈥檝e been able to enjoy more liberal movement for a couple of months now, and we鈥檝e always been able to take beach chairs, drinks and snacks, and reading material to Bayfront Park, sit under a tree and enjoy the Gulf breezes. Our restaurants opened for outdoor dining and take-away for about 3 weeks, and there鈥檚 now space-limited indoor dining.
We鈥檝e even started dining and entertainment at a major local venue, Florida Studio Theatre. First, they offered outdoor dining accompanied by their excellent house pianist and a chanteuse. We did that for two Friday evenings, then last Friday when indoor spaced seating was allowed, we went to the 7 p.m. seating of dinner and Improv. It鈥檚 a welcome relief from Britbox, Hulu, and Netflix to leave the house and attend a live performance. I might add that tables were spaced almost 3 meters apart, all serving staff wore masks and gloves, and all exposed surfaces were constantly being sanitized, such as railings, chairs, and, of course, tables.
May ushered in the very early advent of South Florida summer with its oppressive heat and humidity. One day our car thermometer registered 39C. So, we鈥檙e going to get out of here at the end of this month. We鈥檒l drive purposely out west and visit many places that are now starting to open up. Before I tease you with our brief itinerary, I鈥檒l send periodic updates and pictures from the road.
Naturally, not everything we鈥檇 like to see and do is open, but many golf courses are open, so we鈥檒l begin our journey by following the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail through Alabama. As regards accommodations, we鈥檝e vetted the Marriott chain of hotels and inns, and they stand above the rest in adhering to CDC guidelines, so we鈥檒l be patronizing them throughout most of the trip. We also reserved rooms with kitchenettes so we can cook our own meals when necessary. Those logistics aside, here we go.
Along the golf trail, we鈥檒l stop at two golf resorts in Alabama. Then on to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to stay in a funky resort and visit the crown jewel of our trip, Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, which was founded and funded by Alice Walton, the daughter of WalMart founder, Sam Walton.
After Crystal Bridges we head for Kansas City, Missouri, home to the WWI Museum, Negro League Baseball Hall of Fame, Nelson-Atkins Museum, and the Federal Reserve Museum of Money. If they鈥檙e open we鈥檒l be scouring the floors for any stray bills or change.
On to Fort Collins, Colorado, to see our daughter and sample all the craft beers in the area. Before we get to Fort Collins we鈥檒l be in Dodge City, Kansas for the July 4thfestivities, rodeo, etc. There鈥檚 a common phrase, 鈥淲e鈥檙e getting out of Dodge!鈥 We鈥檒l be getting in to Dodge.
After a week in Fort Collins, it鈥檚 on to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills/Badlands of South Dakota. From there we drive to Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks, then to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for a week. Pack up and move on to Boulder, Colorado, for two weeks, then start wending our way back home, hopefully taking in any of the sights we may have missed on the way west that are now open.
Yesterday we made a trial run to St. Petersburg, Florida, about an hour north of us. Since museums are starting to open, we drove to the Imagine Museum, which is devoted entirely to glass art. Glass art is wondrous to behold; it鈥檚 quite jaw-dropping! We learned that one of my favorites, Karen Lamonte, is also featured at Crystal Bridges. She has a couple of YouTube videos that demonstrate her technique. Check out the attached pictures.
All in all, it鈥檚 about 6,000 miles. Any passengers? Profitez de l'茅t茅 nos amis!
More to come... Mark & Jayne