Saturday at Homosasa Springs

We started out a really great day by having lunch at Fisherman's Cove. We had eaten at this little restaurant two weeks ago when it was pouring rain. Taking pictures of the little garden began day of marathon digital delight. On a whim, I suggested Homosasa Springs hoping it was the same place that Gary and I had visited in 1992. Bingo! It was. We took a boat trip over to the park which I remembered as a manatee preserve, but there was a lot more. I'm going to let the pictures tell the story, plus Carman's video.

Never Mind the Weather

Florida weather is definitely different than New Mexico. We have had balmy warm moist air. I think I've even lost a few wrinkles! This past Monday we knew the weather was due to change, so we headed to Daytona Beach, an area that Carman is very familiar with. When we got there at 10 am, it was cloudy and windy, and the tide was high and stormy along the beach. So we headed to Ponce Inlet to tour the highest lighthouse and museum in Florida. After walking Marshall and Tux, it was time to find a restaurant for lunch and alcohol. We found a really great place called Inlet Harbor Restaurant & Marina; however, Carman didn't get enough hush puppies so we stopped at another place called the Bar Down Under where he got his fill and I tried to get some pictures of a dolphin who was cavorting with the pelicans. The dolphin didn't co-operate, but the pelicans did. I forgot that we went to a winery in Clermont last weekend. Neither one of us liked the wine, but they had some really great t-shirts. I need to go back some time just for a t-shirt. It was a benefit for a local humane society. There were vendors with jewelry and art, and dogs and cats to adopt. I took a picture of Carman, and an employee insisted on taking a picture of the two of us, but it came out blurry. Stay tuned; there's a lot more coming up!

More Adventures

I arrived in Bushnell last Thursday. Great sunset. This place is really nice. I haven't tried out the pool yet, but there is a wonderful room full of jigsaw puzzles! I'm right next door to a Walmart that I can walk to. Now that's dangerous. On Friday Carman and I ventured up the highway to find lunch, and we got a great dinner in a really cute place. It would have been better if it hadn't been pouring. Saturday, it wasn't raining, but it was rather cool, Sunday we went to Clearwater; it wasn't real warm, but it wasn't raining. Another picture of a bird. They just beg to have their pictures taken. Clearwater Beach and Crabby Bill's where we had lunch. On Monday, we went to the Webster Flea Market, and got some great veggies, a good lunch, and plenty of exercise. Yesterday was cleaning day: seeing how much dog hair a sweeper can handle. Today promises to be warm and partly cloudy. Time to check out Walmart again.

The Emerald Coast

One could really take her time enjoying the beaches, shopping, and bars/restaurants in this area. Unfortunately, I was trying to outrun the weather. I ended up in Carabelle with a great campsite, but a little late to do anything but walk and feed the dogs. The next morning I got these beach shots while the sun was trying to shine. That didn't happen. Notice who is riding shotgun. Not really. He was just watching me. I guess it's going to be one of those December's here in sunny Florida! Shame on me: think positive. I stayed in Perry last nite on my way to Homosassa today. I should be in Bushnell on Thursday.

Moving On

Time to leave Perdido Key and explore the state parks along the Gulf coast. The weather has been all over the place since I've been here, but it's been more normal the past few days. I actually wore shorts yesterday. We had a great dinner at the Crab Cage Saturday evening, and Carman left for Webster early Sunday. Plans are shaping up for January. I talked to Sandy last evening, and hopefully we might have a reunion with Linda. Naturally, I love to take pictures of birds, so check out my new feathered friends.

Still having fun

I forgot to share the picture of the traffic jam that I was in in Mississippi due to a semi truck trailer wreck. Carman and Marshall are walking on the beach at Perdidi Key. I found out that it's against the law to walk dogs on the beach, but some people don't pay any attention. The rest of the pictures are of Thanksgiving at Karen and Mike's. The house backs up to the Pensacola Country Club Golf Course. We are going go visit Gene tomorrow and probably take her over to Karen and Mike's again. Maybe I'll get some more pictures.

Perdido Key

I arrived yesterday afternoon, and have had ample time to take pictures; however, I continue to ASSUME that the sun will always shine. Not so! I took the dogs for a long walk on the beach this morning, and now the clouds have moved in. I'll try not to make that mistake again. It is absolutely gorgeous here. It's in the 60's, and when the sun is out, you're actually hot. The campground host picked up some gumbo for me last night, because he was going to get himself some fish at a take out restaurant. It was excellent. Time to make a salad for lunch.

Showers

Time to update! I left Weatherford at a little before 7 yesterday morning and landed here in Vicksburg a little after 3 in the afternoon. I got a really nice RV park and ended up staying today also. I'm only a little over 300 miles from Pensacola, and I thought I'd go down to the river, but it was so cold and damp, I huddled inside and read. The only time I ventured out was when nature called the dogs.
On the trip here, I did get a picture of the windmills and cotton fields even without the benefit of sunshine. Boy, am I spoiled! Tux was up to some mischief while I was driving. Notice the box of kleenex shredded on the floor! Just like kids: when it's quiet, you know they're up to no good.
I'm really looking forward to getting settled at the beach and perhaps some sunshine.

On The Road At Last

Here it is Friday morning, and I left on Wednesday about 11 am. Loading the coach took a lot longer than I anticipated. My neighbors Bill and Cheryl were such a big help. When I got on 380 just east of San Antonio, we had a two hour delay for a missile over White Sands, so it was dark when I got to Roswell. The owners at Trailer Village RV Park were very accomodating, and I learned how to set up in the dark. Yeah! The disappointing thing about the trip to Roswell was that I didn't get the pictures that I had expected. The trees had faded their colors and even lost a lot of leaves. Yesterday, on the way here to Big Spring was a total Kodak moment, but I didn't take the time to capture all the pump jacks and cotton. I did take pictures while we were stopped for the road block and some here at the WhipIn RV Park. I promise to do better.

The weekend of the 23rd of October, I took my friend Carman to Albuquerque to visit my family and take the loop trip up the back side of the Sandias to Santa Fe and back to ABQ. After what has become a tradition for us stopping at the Buckhorn Saloon for green chili burgers, we found our hotel who couldn't find the reservations. Go figure! We had great Chinese food at the Bamboo house. I couldn't eat all of mine, so we brought it back to give to Sue and Marty. We met them for a great breakfast at Taco Sal. Really great service! Of course, they knew Marty and Sue. They had to go home and wait for the carpet people and we took off for the crest. No disappointment: they had a foot of snow the week before, and the scenery was outstanding. Madrid was next: the shops, photography, and art were great. We went to the Mine Shack just to have a drink; we were still full from our breakfast. I wanted Carman to see the staircase at the Loretto Chapel, but it was closed for a wedding. We toured the plaza; the Bull Ring was closed until 5pm. Rats! Next stop: bottom of the tram. We had a drink at the bar and then headed to Marty and Sue's. We shared our day's activities and a pizza from Domino's which Carman thought commendable. It's great keeping company with an Italian.