Florida Field Trip Diaries

Diary entry 11-5-2025

As we drive home in the dark (thank you time change) the Wonder Wagon is buzzing with chatter and the smell of a Costco pizza. Tired and ready for the comfort of home, we reflect on today’s field trip. The John and Mabel Ringling Museum. That’s right we ran away and joined the circus ( as though we are not one all on our own)

We left the house at 8:30 a.m., that felt like a miracle considering how deliriously off schedule we have been since the time changed last week. After a two hour drive, several bouts of “are we there yet” and a bag of snacks we arrived at the museum. It was radiant with 1920s grandeur from the beginning.

The kiddos LOVED the full scale model of the original circus and we were all blown away by the size and quality of the original circus

They even got to walk a tight rope and enjoyed trying to see how many of them could fit in a clown car.

What stole the show for Sunny and I was the family home that was on the property. It was absolutely breathtaking ( head up, you have to buy an extra ticket to go inside) the balcony over the bay is a must see

Then we went to the art museum and WOW! It is massive with more exhibits that you could imagine and architecture that would make you swoon but ….. With a group of kids that is half 17 and over and another half under 11 there were some extremely interesting conversations coupled with giggles from the older kids as I tried to explain the art behind giant nude statues  to elementary students.

The kids and I enjoyed the museums and gardens . There were many lessons learned about art and life and the luxurious history of the circus. It is a great trip especially if you have little artists on your hands.