The strange craft stood before me and I, on the precipice of discovery, felt as Renaissance men and women must have felt when Copernicus unleashed his theory that the Sun, not the Earth, was the center of the universe. This journey was going to require a leap of faith.

With wheels and handlebars, the Segway human transporter resembles the scooters of my childhood, but with a much shorter platform - and with only two wheels. It's the two wheels that make the Segway a challenge to what we think we know about transportation.

After your instruction session with Tom and Janey Jacobson, and once you get past the interior monologue (Will it fall over? How does it steer? How do I control it?), you'll be on your way to one of the most interesting rides of your life.

Stepping onto and off the Segway human transporter proved to be the most challenging, and that was easy once I knew how. Operating the vehicle is completely intuitive - you lean forward to move forward and back to go backward. Turning is achieved by a grip lever that

Horseback riding William S. Speer

moves forward and backward, operated by your left hand. The ride is smooth, and the transporter's computer starts to learn not only your weight, but your movement patterns as well.

My trip took me through the delightful Laurel Park neighborhood in downtown Sarasota, with narration on the area's colorful history and early architecture. We traveled along, single file, in a sort of "follow the leader" pattern as we wended our way through charming downtown streets. Other stops on the tour included Island Park at Sarasota's Bayfront, a perfect photo opportunity. Florida Ever-Glides, Inc. (941-363-9556) offers tours at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily and cost $55 per person. Minimum age is 12, and tours are generally limited to six persons. Call or visit www.floridaever-glides.com for more information.

Sarasota offers visitors not only the ordinary tours - art museums, historic homes, memorials, architecture and the like - but also unusual tours. Beyond Segway, explore the area's treasures by paddle, wind or horsepower. Here is just a brief sampling of the many ways to see past the everyday.

Romantic Rowing
When you're in the mood for something romantic and want to diverge from the tried-and-true, try Walk on the Wild Side's (941-351-6500) dreamy evening kayak trip by the light of the full moon. You and your beau or belle will depart with a few other couples from Sun Circle Park (just south of the Ringling Museum) for a leisurely paddle up to the Powel Crosley Mansion. You'll come ashore for a picnic of wine, cheese, crackers, cookies and dessert wine before paddling back. Phil Buri, the owner and trip's guide, will describe local flora and fauna along the way. Call for additional information.

Sail Away
Step off the mainland for a sail. The bracing wind in your hair, the pinch of salt on your skin, the quiet slice of a sailboat through the gentle Gulf... nothing feels the same as sailing. Enterprise Sailing (941-951-1833; www.sarasotasailing.com) puts out from Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota. With a midday sail in search of dolphin, an evening sunset cruise in the Gulf or a full-day circle of the area keys, the trips can be tailored to your inner-sailor's whims. Toast the day and nibble appetizers while afloat on blue Gulf waters. Get a waterside view of the extravagant homes lining the bay and the beach.

Moonlit Trails
The meter of traditional Arabic love poetry is said to mimic the beat of a horse's gallop. Riding has always been a romantic endeavor, and riding in the wilds of Florida by moonlight, hunkering down for ‘smores at an old-fashioned bonfire and gazing at the spill of stars across the dark sky, even more so. Wishful Thinkin' Farms (941-322-1074) in Myakka City will lead you and your well-trained horse on moonlit trails through their hundreds of acres for an hour-long ride. Even if you're not an experienced rider, you can have an easy and relaxed time on this tour where only the surroundings are wild.

Originally posted 6/9/04