Cruising on Last Dance


This blog archives the adventures of Glen and Jill Moore and provides a means of communication for friends and family. Exploration and adventure have been synonymous with boats and water for centuries. The joy of adventures shared while exploring new places and meeting new people has built a strong bond for Glen and Jill. Last Dance is the platform for the exploration.

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." St. Augustine, 354 - 430

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain, 1835 - 1910

"There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats." The Wind in the Willows, 1908, Kenneth Grahame, 1859 - 1932

"I've never believed speed and ease are conductive to living fully, becoming aware, or deepening memory, a tripod of urges to stabilize and lend meaning to life." River Horse: a log book of a boat across America, 1999, William Least Heat-Moon,1939 -

The Great Loop -- The current adventure is a circumnavigation of the Eastern United States, cruising north up the east coast through New York into Canada, across the Great Lakes to Chicago, navigating multiple river systems south to Mobile, along the Gulf coast to the Florida Keys and back to St. Augustine. This trip by boat is commonly referred to as the Great Loop. Progress and current location are indicated by the red line on the map to the right. It was titled the Traceless Path in recognition of a German sailor we met in St. Augustine who published booklets of his travels with hand-drawn, detailed maps describing his travels across the water as the Traceless Path.



Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sarasota























A walkable downtown filled with both new and old characterizes Sarasota.  The city center fronts the harbor, bordered with a large park and a huge marina   It is a grand area for a stroll, shopping at unique retailers, and sampling restaurants.  There is even a full service, upscale supermarket downtown.  Interesting, fun place.



Remember the Marilyn Monroe sculpture in Chicago?  The artist is Seward Johnson. One of his sculptures stands in Sarasota also - The Kiss, from a photo taken on D Day in New York.  Johnson's work created the most controversy among the citizenry ever experienced in this town.  Many felt it to be hideous and shouted for its removal.  Others saw it as patriotic and a work of art.  Hearings were held.  City Council meetings were jammed. It was to be a traveling display, visiting a number of cities. A local resident, a WW II veteran, settled the argument by purchasing the statue for $500,000 and giving it to the city. It still adorns the waterfront park downtown.

Makes one wonder about the level of controversy if the skirt-blowing sculpture of Marilyn Monroe had been placed in Sarasota.
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