The Legacy Trail....The Train Depot....a Magic Shop and Gelato

2014 has had a great start. Denny bought a new Townie bike and we've been trying get in some good rides. We saw these guys in our neighborhood....

....last weekend we rode about 22 miles on The Legacy Trail. This is a "rails to trails" path and it's wonderful . It goes from Sarasota to Venice. It was finally a warm and sunny day and we took off. We found a new place to park and off we went. The trail was really crowded but the real problem was the wind. Peddling against the wind was a PAIN....I was glad to see the restaurant. I had a wonderful Lobster Roll and enjoyed sitting in the sun. It's been rather chilly and gloomy here in south FL. We have managed 2 good days on the beach and a nice walk across the big bridge that leads to St. Armands Circle...but it was great to get out on our bikes.

Here's a few friends we met along the way......

He crossed the trail right in front of me...he was about 4' long and big around in the middle..YUCK

Yesterday we went on an outing with some church friends to the Old Venice Train Depot. We'd been here before but it was nice to hear more of the history. The depot is the end of The Legacy Trail so sometimes we start here and get on a different trail or sometimes we end here....it's a great place. All because of one man having a vision to build the city of Venice the train and the depot came to be. Many people used the train through the years including The Army and Ringling & Barnum & Bailey Circus. Venice was the winter home for the circus. This little depot has much history.

 

These posters give some history of the depot.

 

 

This is a picture of the engine from the train.....

 

Here is the sign that hung outside to welcome the train and travelers

 

The old caboose is the only train car left and it is now partial office and partial display

The Railroad used to put "sayings" on the cars to encourage the men to be safe

Inside the caboose....

 

At one point it was decided that there should be 2 circuses...to make more money. This created the need for an animal trainer...they went to Europe to find a good one. He stayed with the circus many years and his son and grandson still live in Venice. This life size statue of him is at the depot.

 

 

It was a fun but chilly day. Then we had lunch at a great little French place....then off to the Magic shop. The owner was a Magician in NY for many years. He did a few tricks for us...very good. He does nightly shows and they are probably very good. We bought a few things and headed for the Gelato shop. It was wonderful. If you are in the Venice, FL area it would be worth your time to visit Ciao Gelato....

Thanks ladies that was the perfect end to a great day.

I have a holiday weekend coming....wonder what we'll find to do!!