Thursday - Another Off and On Sunny Day!

Ernie and Noela were leaving the CG at 8 this morning to meet with their son and his family and because Ken had to leave by 8:30 for the Food Pantry, we didn't go for our normal walk.  

Ken cooked us a delicious breakfast while I went over to Jim and Joyce's to put in a load of wash.  Ken left by 8:40 and I spent most of the morning doing another load of wash and hanging all of it outside.  There was some sunshine and rather breezy with temperatures staying in the mid 60's today.  It is a shame it wasn't a warmer, sunnier week for Ernie and Noela's family that are visiting.  Next week it should reach the 80's most of the week, much warmer than this week.

Ken was back by 11:30, we ate lunch, and then made salads for dinner for us and Rick and Joyce!  He rested while I did some reading and work on the blog! Joyce and Rick came to the CG around 2:30.  We sat outside chatting for quite awhile and then went to the shuffleboard courts.  The men won the 1st game by a huge margin, but we rallied and one the second game.  The last game ended with both of us having over 75 points, but the men were ahead by 3 - wow!

Back to Wilbur and Ken grilled chicken and we our salads for dinner.  Then card playing began.  The men won Pinochle and Skip-Bo.  It was definitely the men's day to "shine"!  They left around 9:30 and it was a sad good-bye.  They are heading to Aruba for 2 weeks, leaving on Saturday and we leave the Sunday they return for our 1 week mission trip to Louisiana.  So, we will not be together again for at least 3 weeks!  We always enjoy our time with them.

Wednesday - Tour of the Venice Area with Burt and Pat!

After the 4 of us enjoyed our morning walk together, Ken and I did some clean-up around the inside and inside Wilbur including vacuuming, dusting and scouring.  Ken also cleaned out the inside of the car.

We had a very late breakfast and at 1:00, Burt and Pat arrived because Ken and I planned to show them some of our favorite places in the Venice area - things they have not done previously!  So, we had an "agenda list" so we would remember to go to all the places we were excited for them to see.  

Our 1st stop was Detwiler's Market for fresh fruit and produce.  The place was "crazy busy", but I think they enjoyed their visit.  Then it was on to Caspersen Beach where we parked in the back and walked out to the Venetian Waterway Trail, which they had not been on before.  We walked about 1/2 mile to where we feed the Florida Scrub Jays and they were waiting for us when we arrived.  It was definitely the quickest time they have ever appeared when we held up our peanuts and they "stuck around" until we ran out of food for them.  They gave Burt and Pat (and bike riders going by) quite a show!  So much fun!!!

They liked Burt's hat!

They liked spending time with Pat too!

They really didn't play favorites!

The red-headed woodpecker wanted to join in the fun, but
he was too afraid!

Next we drove to the park beside Sharky's and walked on the beach and pier.  By then it was 3:45 and time to go for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Briandi's.  This authentic Italian Restaurant is quaint and small, so you have to get there when it opens, 4:00, to get a seat.  It is also Happy Hour and Early Bird, a double whammy!  Their food is all homemade, including the bread and Minestrone Soup.  We all had different entrees from the Early Bird special menus and each one was absolutely delicious. 

A very nice fishing pier that had to be partially rebuilt
several years ago after one of the hurricanes!

After dinner, we decided to see what was happening at the South Jetty in Venice!  We realized there would not be a nice sunset, it was rather chilly, and there were no boats going in and out.  But, we did see 2 dolphins and enjoyed watching the pelicans.  On the way back to the car I found 4 shark's teeth at different locations in the parking lot - crazy!

The end of the pier at the South Jetty!

The skyline was very beautiful!

We saw 2 dolphins but it is so difficult to get a good photo!

So, we headed on to The Rookery to see all the birds that had flown in to nest for the evening on the tiny island.  There were so many heron, egrets, ibis, and commerants.  

The white heron were showing off their beautiful plumage! 

Some ibis and heron!

We were back to Wilbur by 6:45 and we finished the last two rounds of Hand and Foot from a previous game and the men won by a large margin.  What a delightful day and we loved sharing these places with Burt and Pat.  They were thankful for their "tour guides"!

After they left, I had a phone chat with Cindy and things are going well with their 6 week old pug puppy, Bugsy!  He cries and whines a bit at night when they 1st put him in his cage, but then he settles down for the night.  Doing pretty well with the "potty training" too!

We were in bed by 9:45, did some reading, and off to dreamland!

Tuesday - A Cold Start to the Day, But Nothing Like Most of the USA!

When we all left for our walks this morning it was only 39 degrees, very cold for Florida!  But, it is frigid and setting records for the cold in so many parts of the US.  I think Michigan and Wisconsin had some wind chill temperatures up to 50 below.  Positively crazy!

After breakfast I drove to North Point Park to play pickleball with some folks I had never played with before.  I really had a good time and although I felt a bit hesitant at the beginning, I soon realized that I could hold my own with most of them.  After about 1 1/4 hours of playing, one of the ladies from church who is just learning to play came and I spent time playing and hitting with her and another lady who was a beginner.  They are doing well.  I was back to Wilbur by 12:30, tired and stiff.

After lunch, Ken really wanted to go to Manasota Beach, but I was a bit hesitant feeling that it might be chilly.  Off we went, getting there around 2:15 and the breeze was coming off the ocean and being in the low 60's, it was cool.  We stayed for about 1 1/2 hours and decided we were chilled, so we headed back to the CG stopping for a few groceries.

Ernie and Noela's family were here at the CG most of the day so we were able to meet Peter, his wife, and their 3 young children.  What cute little ones who adore their grandparents.  

I did some typing revisions on Ken's testimony which he had worked on this morning while I was gone.  Ernie and Noela invited us over to play Uno, because Peter and his family had left around 6:30.  It was a silly evening with the women being victorious.

I worked on this blog when we returned and then watched New Amsterdam at 10.  I certainly wish that show started earlier because the start time is past my bedtime! 

Monday - A Relaxing Day at the Campground!

It was in the mid 40's when we got up this morning and Ken left at 7:15 to meet Ernie on their walk.  Noela and I decided to sleep in.

After breakfast, I did some clean-up and my normal morning routine.  I got some cards ready to send while Ken did some work on the computer.  Then I had a nice conversation with Donna, the gal who lives under us at our apartment in Lititz.  After lunch we took a walk around the campground.  Ken did more reading while I painted some rocks.  Then he had a long conversation with Kevin, the gentleman who had worked with him in Real Estate.

Ernie and Noela had left the campground this morning to spend the day with their son and family, so we didn't get together.  

After dinner, I went to play pickleball and Ken drove to Celebrate Recovery.  It did get into the low 60's today but the sun was in and out, so it never felt very warm.  By dinner time the sun was shining brightly, the wind had died down, and it felt a lot better.

I had a good time at pickleball and because there were only 8 of us I got to play a lot and it went well.  I painted some rocks when I returned while watching America's Got Talent.  Ken watched too when he got back around 9:15.  Off to bed at 10.

Sunday - Cold and Rainy All Day!

It started raining hard during the night and continued almost all day, never getting out of the 50's.  Ken and I were at Edgewater Church by 9:15 and enjoyed some fellowship time.  It was a great service as per usual and when we left around 10:45 we drove to Costco in Sarasota, stopping for drinks on the way.

The rain was heavy when we got there.  We got a few items and were back to the campground around 1:45.  We ate a light lunch and then spent the next 3 hours working on Ken's testimony that he plans to present at the Celebrate Recovery here in Port Charlotte.  Ken had written it over the last 3 weeks and asked if I would type it for him, but he definitely needed to be beside me editing it as we went.  It was a long process, but he has done such a good job of telling his life story and the journey that has led him to his recovery of no alcohol the last three years.  I find it amazing!  He was thrilled when we were able to print the 10 pages.

He offered to make salads for dinner while I "caught up" on our blog.  I had gotten so far behind.  It rained all afternoon and they are predicting it to continue throughout the night.

We did not see Ernie and Noela today, for they left around 3:30 to go to Tampa Airport to meet their son and his family who will be renting a home in Venice for a week.  They are looking forward to spending time together and seeing many of the things that Ernie and Noela enjoy doing each winter here in Florida.  Unfortunately it is supposed to be a cool week, but the rain should be gone by mid morning tomorrow.

Ken and I watched 60 minutes and played 2 rounds of Hand and Foot which he is leading by quite a large margin.  I believe I will be able to overtake him!  It seemed like the rain was finished when we went to bed.  It was another great day in Florida.

Just an extra note - Cindy sent me a photo of a 6 week old Pug they bought today.  They are such dog lovers and I am surprised they didn't get one sooner.  Sleeping will probably be a bit difficult the next week or so, but he certainly is adorable!  Turns out the dog was born on November 15, John's Birthday, and Cindy's is November 16.  They thought it was an omen!!!

Saturday - Cold, Windy Day!

Ken had a rough night of coughing and feeling congested.  He was awake so many times and woke with a cold.  Needless to say, it was a restless night for me too!  We text Ernie and Noela and told them we would not be walking!

Ken and I left at 11:30 and drove to Venice so I could walk through the Craft Show they had on Miami Avenue.  Noela, Ernie, Ken, and I had attended the same show last year and I really enjoyed seeing the unique items that the crafters displayed.  Ken dropped me off and had planned to do some reading, but he only found a place to park 15 minutes before I called him to come back to pick me up.  Poor guy!

We drove to Sarasota to the home of Frank and Barb, full time residents of Florida, who used to go to LCBC back home.  They invited us to a picnic that 25 folks attended, many of them folks we knew from PA.  We also got to meet friends of theirs and Rick and Joyce who go to Bayside Church.  It was a very cool, windy day, so we spent some time in the garage and then ate inside.  Everyone had brought something to share so there was plenty of delicious food.  Ken and I left around 6 and planned to stop at the Costco in Sarasota, but we quickly discovered that it had closed at 6.

What a special group of folks!  We had such a good time!

We were back to the CG by 6:45 and I was really tired.  I decided to head to bed at  7:45 to do some reading

Friday - Food Pantry Morning and Busy Evening!

Ken and I do not walk on a Friday, but leave by 8:45 to serve at the Food Pantry.  I had a nice chat with Cindy, my sister, on our way.  They are in Brownville, TX and have not had good weather - cold, rainy and windy!  They should have temperatures near 80 starting next week, at least they hope so!  

The Food Pantry went well, but we still had very little produce or fruit.  Ken and I decided not to go out to lunch with the group because we had to go for groceries and we would be heading to Rick and Joyce's around 4.  So, we went to Wal-Mart and were back to Wilbur around 2:30.  We visited for a short time with Ernie and Noela and by 4 we were on our way to Venice.

Ken and Rick drove to Bayside Church main campus near Bradenton and met several other men there, some from PA that Ken knew, and others who Rick knows through the church!  Once a year they have Men's Night at the Church and this year there were about 1500 men there - imagine!  They were served jambalaya for dinner, followed by praise music, a former NFL Super Bowl MBP player, Derrick Brooks, spoke, as well as Carl Lentz, a minister from Hill Song Church in Manhattan NY. It was an exciting evening for the men!

What a huge pot of jambalaya!  Ken said it was delicious!

Joyce, Barb, Marilyn, and I went to Burgundy Square Restaurant in downtown Venice for dinner while our husbands were at the Church.  It was the 1st time any of us had eaten there and the food was so good and our waitress, Jessica, was amazing.  Only down side was how noisy it was for talking!  They do have outside dining, but it was way too cool to be out there.  We hope to go again with our husbands when we can enjoy the outdoor seating!

We went back to Joyce's and we taught Marilyn how to play double deck pinochle.  After some practice hands, we played a game and Joyce and Marilyn won.  She was a fast learner.

The men returned around 10:15 and we all left for home.  What a great time all of us had!  Thanks, Rick and Joyce!

Thursday - Cooler Day! In the Low 60's!

We did our normal morning walk routine, had breakfast and Ken left by 8:45 to go help unload the truck at the Church's Food Pantry.  I decided it was a good morning to make oat bran muffins.  After getting them mixed, I had a long chat with Jamie.  It was so good to talk to her and I feel for the challenges they go through with Cali and her OCD.  My heart aches for their whole family as they try to deal with this ongoing issue!

Ken planned to be back by about 11:30, but the Harry Chapin Foundation had a substitute truck driver and he never got there until after noon and as a result, Ken only got back to Wilbur at 1:30.

We had made plans to get together with Rick and Joyce and because Ken was gone so long, they decided to come to us and got here around 2:30 while Ken and I were getting set-up outside, again!  We had taken everything down and put it away when we had some strong winds recently.

The men chatted outside while Joyce and I played some rounds of Word Nerd.  Then it was time for double deck Pinochle.  We did stop around 6 and the men went to a local coal fired pizza shop to get a large cheese pizza for dinner.  It was delicious.  More card playing and the women won both games.  We had such a good time and really enjoy spending time with Rick and Joyce.

They left around 9:15 and Ken and I went right to bed.  

Wednesday - Gorgeous Sunny, Warm Day!

It was warmer when we got up this morning - sunny and 53.  I was able to wear my capris for our walk.  We did our normal morning routine and after breakfast packed our lunches to take to Manasota Beach.

We were on our way by 10:30 and excited to have such a gorgeous day to go to the beach and spend time looking for shark's teeth.  We got there at 11:15, set-up our chairs, and then started walking south on the beach, going about 2 miles "round trip"!  The further down the beach you go, the better for finding those shark's teeth.  We really had a good time and found lots of teeth!

Not many people this far up the beach!

Some of the teeth we found!

We returned to our chairs after 3 hours of hunting and were ready for lunch.  We noticed that Jim and Joyce, friends in our CG, were sitting near us, so we joined them and had a nice time chatting!  We were back to the CG by 4:45 and showers felt so good.

I played pickleball from 6:45 to 7:45 and had a great time.  There were only 8 of us so we got to play every game.  When I returned, Ernie and Noela came over to play cards.  It was a fun evening and we were in bed by 10.

Tuesday - Sunny and 75 Degrees

It was our typical morning of walking as a group and doing our reading.  A group of ladies from the Food Pantry wanted to get together to play and learn pickleball and invited me to participate.  So I left at 10:45 to meet them at Highland Park in North Point around 11.  It was a very windy day but the temperature was perfect for playing.  2 of the ladies had never played but they did a great job learning and really enjoyed it.  We hope to do this every Tuesday at the same time and I welcome it as an opportunity to learn to know more women from the Church!

Ken had spent the time studying, reading, and on the computer.  He has been working on his testimony that he wants to give at Celebrate Recovery and he thinks it would be good to give it here before he does it back home.  So, he read it to me and I was certainly impressed with the contents and his openness and honesty about his life.  Now I need to type it for him.

After lunch Ken vacuumed and washed the floors in Wilbur will I scoured and dusted.  He had a meeting with a gentleman from Celebrate Recovery here in Florida for several hours.  

After dinner, we drove to Burt and Pat's condo in Port Charlotte and we spent the evening talking and then playing 4 rounds of Hand and Foot.  We finished 1 game which the women won and started another which we will finish the next time we get together (the men are winning, but I think that will change!).  It was a very fun evening.

Back to Wilbur just in time for me to watch New Amsterdam.  Love that show!

Monday - Very Cold Morning for Florida, but Then a Sunny, Cool Day!

It was in the upper 30's when the 4 of us were on our routine morning walk.  Gloves and hats were a necessity if we wanted to be warm.  On our return, the sun was shining brightly, but the  breeze was a bit cool but certainly not as freezing cold as in PA and Canada!  Can't imagine being outside in those crazy temperatures!

Ken took these photos when he left for his walk -

Sunrise looking to the east!

The moon in western sky!

After breakfast, Noela and I went on a shopping spree to Beall's Outlet, Hobby Lobby, Ross, and TJ Maxx.  We had a fun trip and were very successful at Beall's Outlet getting several tops that actually fit and it was Senior Day so we got an extra 15% off everything we purchased!  

We only returned around 2 and both of us were so hungry.  Ken had been very busy while I was gone paying bills, reading, keeping in touch with his CR buddies, and then setting up the outside awning, sunshade, and all the extras!

We played 3 games of shuffleboard with Ernie and Noela and the men won 2 of 3!  We will definitely need a rematch.

I played pickleball for about an hour and it was a disappointing night for me  because I played poorly.  I'd like to blame it on the cold weather which seemed to cause some stiffness in my legs and back, but that probably had nothing to do with it.  Tonight was just a very off night for me.  Ken returned from Celebrate Recovery at 9:15 while I was working on this blog and watching America's Got Talent - The Champions!  There are just so many talented folks on this show.  Not sure how you can compare apples to oranges!  I'm just glad I'm not a judge!

Sunday - Extremely Windy Day with Off and On Sunshine!

Ken and I were on our way to Edgewater Church by 9 and after fellowshipping with friends, enjoyed the 9:30 service.  We decided to go to Denny's for our normal Sunday morning breakfast, do just a little grocery shopping at Wal-Mart and then go back to the Church for a meeting of the 12 of us who are going on a mission trip to Sager Brown in Baldwin, LA for 1 week in mid February.  We quickly realized that we knew everyone that will be going.

As soon as we returned to the CG, we went over to Jim and Joyce's to do another load of wash.  We did some reading while it was washing and then together we hung the load on our clothesline, but it was soooooo windy!  

Time to watch the Saints/Rams game and work on this blog.  Wow, what a game!  I did feel sorry for the Saints and the bad call that had them lose the game, but how exciting for the Rams.  We did have to go in and out to check on the wash and make sure none of our clothes were blowing away.  It didn't want to dry completely, so we had to hang a lot of it inside Wilbur, making quite a mess!

Then it was time for the real nail bitter game - Patriots vs. Chiefs.  Ken and I both were for the Chiefs and so disappointed that they lost, but what a game!  Their quarterback certainly should have a long and successful career in the NFL.  While watching the games, I did a lot of crocheting and made another card holder.  It was definitely a fun and relaxing day!

Obviously we were up for the entire Patriots/Chief game only getting to bed around 10:30.

Saturday - Beautiful, Sunny Day, but a bit Windy!

The morning started with a beautiful sunrise seen from the front window of Wilbur -

Just gorgeous!

The 4 of us did our morning walk routine and then I went over to Jim and Joyce's campsite which is 2 away from us.  They are leaving their 5th wheel here permanently and recently put a washer in a shed behind their RV.  She graciously told Noela and I that we are free to use it whenever we like!

So, I did my 1st load there today and I really appreciate her generosity.  Because Ken and I bought one of those laundry umbrellas, I was able to hang out the entire load including the sheets.

At 11:25, the 6 of us (Jim and Joyce joined us) headed to the clubhouse for their Welcome Back Party where they introduce the CG staff, give away free gifts, and then feed us lunch.  Noela was the lucky winner of a beach towel and then also won $50.00 from the 50/50 drawing!  It was her day!!!!  There were 9 people who won $50.00 from that drawing.  They provided a very nice lunch of grilled hamburg/hot dogs, baked beans, coleslaw, chips, a  cookie and drinks.

I brought in my dried wash when we returned and then worked on this blog.  It got extremely windy, so Ken and I worked to take in our awning, sunscreen, and chairs.  We left for dinner at Farlow's on the Water at 3:15 to meet our LCBC church friends from PA (some are now Florida residents!) for dinner.  There were 11 of us including Rick's sister who is visiting from Colorado.  What delicious food and such a fun evening with great friends.  Deb and Joyce had seen some fish in the water before dinner and asked us if we knew the name of a skinny, green fish that swims vertically and is about 9 inches long.  Several of the women looked to Google for the answer but without success.  So, before our meals came, they went back out to the Myakka River to get a picture of them.  Earlier they where sure they had seen their eyes and their mouths open and close.  They came back laughing and had to admit that they solved the mystery - it was "beans/pods or whatever from the Mangrove trees!  We won't let them forgot that for a long time!!!!!

What a good looking group! 

We are all looking for those unique vertical fish!

We were back to Wilbur by 6:30 and a bit later went over to spend about 1 1/2 hours visiting with Ernie and Noela in their Gazebo where they had a little gas fire going.  It was warm and so pleasant to sit there a chat.  To left by 9:45 after a very nice day!!! 

Friday - Food Pantry Day!

We do not walk on Friday mornings because we leave for the Food Pantry around 8:45.  We had more items this week and about 75 people came through.  As per usual, it is a rewarding time for Ken and me.  I had taken a container full of inspiration rocks I had painted and told our fellow workers to help themselves and take extras for any friends that needed a "boost".  Also, I said they should feel free to give them to anyone who comes through the Pantry today that could use some encouragement.  I probably took around 40 and only brought about 15 back - that felt good!!!

After cleaning up, about 15 of us went to Buffalo Wings for lunch and they certainly had a great menu and delicious food.  Ken and I were a bit concerned that all their food items might be rather unhealthy, but their salads and grilled chicken were delicious.

Some of the Food Pantry Crew!

We only returned around 3 and I decided to go to Bealls (not the outlet) to try to get some shirts.  I think I tried on about 15 different ones and came away with nothing - rather disappointing!  Nothing seemed to fit properly!

Neither Ken nor I were hungry, so we had some fruit and then invited Ernie and Noela over to play cards.  They were here from 7:15 to 9:15 and we played another game of Uno which the men won again.  For some reason, that game makes all of us silly!

We went right to bed after they left and did some reading before it was lights out!  What a great day!

I got a call from the founder of Knots of Love today and she told me which city and states received my preemie afghans - 3 to California, 2 to New York, one to Nashville, and one to New Mexico.  I really enjoying knowing where they go, but I wish there was some way to correspond with the folks who get them.  

Thursday - Our Youngest Daughter, Jamie's, Birthday!

It was another cool morning with the temperature at 42 degrees when we went for our walks, but plenty of sunshine!  A great morning for a walk!

Ken left at 8:45 to help unload the truck at the church's Food Pantry!  I did some devotions and worked on the blog.  I also did some research on purchasing a dulcimer or a digital musical keyboard.  I really think I would enjoy having some musical instrument as I was a piano player in my early days!

Ken was back by 11 and we decided it was a good day to go to the beach.  Probably not a bathing suit day, but it was sunny and in the low 70's.  So, after lunch we headed to Englewood Beach.  It was a bit chilly and a sweatshirt felt good, but it was a great reading day on the beach!

We were back by 4:00 and we made salads and then did some reading.  Over to Ernie and Noela's by 5:30, for they had invited us for turkey chili and we had taken our own salads.  The chili was delicious!

I played pickleball from 6:45 to 7:45 and got to play 5 games because only 4 of us showed up.  I had a fun evening and played very well, if I do say so myself.  One of the ladies asked what I had for dinner because she wanted the recipe!!!  Ken read back at the motorhome.

We went over to Ernie and Noela's for a fun game of Uno, which the men won, but by a very slim margin.  That game causes so much laughter and fun for the 4 of us!  Back to Wilbur by 9 and it was off to bed.

Wednesday - Fun Day with Friends From Back Home!

Ken and I did our normal morning routine and then or "staggered" walk with Ernie and Noela.  We spent the morning around the campground getting ready for the day and having a wonderful phone conversation with our daughter, Jamie!  We really appreciated her phone call.  My sister called too and they are having a good time in Texas, but haven't felt great since they arrived.  They both feel like they are "on the mend" but it has certainly taken a long time!

We left at 12:15 and I had a phone chat with Ken's sister on the way.  She is planning to have knee replacement surgery in the next several weeks. We went to Hurricane Charley's in Punta Gorda to meet our previous neighbors, Russ and Darlene, for lunch.  They lived beside us in Akron and their home was the last one Ken sold while he was in the Real Estate business.  They have been full-time RVer's for about 5 years spending their winters in Florida and summers in a CG in Lancaster County.  It was so great to spend about 2 1/2 hours with them.  We hope to get together at least 1 more time while in Florida.

A great place to eat with special friends!

As soon as we got back to Wilbur, Ken left for Rick and Joyce's in Venice to go with them to a church service at Bayside.  Rick's sister is here for about 10 days and she went with them also.  I stayed "home" and played pickleball from 7 to 8 and had a great time.  I am pleased with how I have been playing and finding that it really doesn't seem to bother my back - hallelujah!

I put some additional coats on my rocks, got some packages ready for our granddaughters for Valentine's Day and I was just getting ready for bed when Ken returned.  He really enjoyed his evening with Rick and Joyce at Bayside.  A little reading and then off to dreamland!

Tuesday - Cooler Day

The 4 of us did our usual morning walk and we were happy for heavier jackets and gloves.  It was in the low 50's but windy and not too much sun!

Ken spent the morning on the computer and I decided to go shopping, but only for a short time.  We wanted to eat lunch outside, but it was too windy and chilly.

We did some clean-up inside and out and then I painted rocks while Ken read.  We met Ernie and Noela for 2 games of shuffleboard - we each won 1 game!

After dinner, Ernie and Noela came over to play Uno.  I watched my favorite show, New Amsterdam, so I only turned out my light at 11 which is a bit too late for this girl, but I had to watch!!!

Monday - Beautiful Day for a Bike Ride!

The 4 of us did our usual morning walk and by 9:30 Ken and I were on our way to meet Rick and Joyce, stopping at Detwiler's Market on the way.

Upon our arrival, I rode with Joyce and the "boys" rode together (we were taking our bikes) and headed to The Legacy Trail and parked at the trailhead near Costco.  It was a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for a bike ride.  We rode to Laurel Road probably a total of about 12 miles.

This is where we started our ride!

It is a fairly long trail - Caspersan Beach
to Sarasota!

The path to get onto the Legacy Trail - just a very
short ride......

......and here we are!

A nice level and paved trail.  

We are approaching the bridge that goes over Laurel Road
which was just finished recently.  Ken and I had not
seen this bridge previously!

Then the 4 of us went to Costco so Rick and Joyce could "get a feel for the place" and what they had to offer.  They decided to get a membership!

Mug shot time and Rick is distracting Joyce!

What a guy!!!

Back to their house to divide some of the items we had decided to share and by 5:00 Ken and I were back to the CG.  He went to Celebrate Recovery from 7 to 9:15 and I played pickleball at the CG.  Some TV watching (America's Got Talent), rock painting, and then off to bed.  It was another fun day!

Sunday - Football Day!

Well, after some thought and discussion I am going to try to share info on my blog about what we are actually doing each day that is unique to that day and not so much our everyday routine (not so much like a diary).  I want to share and have memories to look back on, but the rest, I have decided, is really not necessary and probably not that interesting to most viewers.  It will be a change for me, but that is my goal.

Today, Sunday, was a church day, breakfast at Denny's, and then back to  the CG where Ken spent from noon to 4 getting our new sun screen "installed" which required some help from Jim and Joyce and a trip to Ace Hardware for some needed bungies, hooks, etc.

The rest of the day was spent watching the play-off football games and not really liking the results.  The Eagles had a great start, but by 1/2 time it was obvious that they really didn't deserve to win.  I did make some greeting cards while watching.

It was lights out around 9:30 after chats with Lanie and my mother!

Saturday - A Positively Gorgeous Day!

Ken was up at 4:45, having trouble going back to sleep.  He woke me at 6:30 after he completed his morning routine.  I did my stretches and got ready for the day.  Ken left at 7:15 to meet Ernie for their walk.

I had time to do most of my devotions before Noela and I left at 7:45 to meet up with the guys.  It was around 53 degrees when we got up and as soon as the sun appeared it warmed up very quickly.  It was a beautiful morning and a great one for Ken to take some photos of the very active birds and the sunrise.

Another gorgeous sunrise!

What an amazing photo of a great blue heron in flight!

A bald eagle in the tree across the lake!

Sharing his tree with his buddy, the great blue heron!

The sun reflecting off the wing of an osprey!

An osprey on his nest!

I'm guessing it is the male and female!

The osprey is ready to take off!

A beautiful clear morning!

Ken is meeting up with Ernie for their walk!

One of the many unique and beautiful palm trees!

Ken took this photo as Noela and I were meeting them for
the remainder of their walk!  It was a bit cool, but we shed
our jackets a little bit later!

These 2 seagulls were fun to watch as they kept circling the
canal, touching their beaks to the water every now and then!

Our resident alligator!

I love how clear the reflections are in the water!

A pelican on the other side of the lake!

A Moorhen Duck!

Another great blue heron!

They seem too big to sit in a tree!

We were back to Wilbur by 8:30 and ate our breakfast outside as it was in the upper 60's.  We packed our lunches and Ken loaded our bikes on Ernie's truck.  The 4 of us left at 10:15 and drove to Oyster Creek Park to do some bike riding and hiking.  This trail is another favorite of the 4 of us because it looks so much like old Florida.  The dirt trail is covered with pine needles and there are so many different types of palm trees and vegetation - very pretty.  We rode to Lemon Bay High School where they were having a craft show on their parking lot.  None of us bought anything, but I loved some sea glass jewelry one of the vendors made.  

Love riding over the bridges along the trail!

Quite a beautiful trail!

The craft market at the Lemon Bay High School!

We got back on our bikes and rode to the Lemon Bay Environmental Center and hiked a trail to see if the bald eagles had returned to their nest.  We were fortunate and got to see the mother and her very young eaglet!  Ken was able to get a great photo of them!  We ate our lunch on a picnic table at the Center and then rode back to Ernie's truck.  We were back to the campground around 2:30 after riding about 5 miles and walking about 2.  It was a great way to exercise.

Then we walked the trails at the Environmental Center!

This eaglet looks so fussy and very young!  Did you know
that a bald eagle does not get a white head until he is
mature - about 5 years old????

I am amazed how clear this photo is because we were at least
50 yards from it!  They had the trail roped off to protect
there nesting!

Oyster shells on the bridge posts!

Riding back to the truck!

Ken rested and I got out my cardmaking supplies.  At 3:45 the 4 of us went to the shuffleboard courts but we did stop at one of the campsites where they had a sunscreen for sale.  It had never been used and was the size we needed for Wilbur's awning, so we bought it.   Now we just have to take the time to put it up!

Shuffleboard went well but the men beat us 75 to 73!  There were many good shots throughout the game.  

Back to Wilbur by 5 to watch the Colts/Chiefs game where they were just beginning the 2nd quarter.  Ken grilled  salmon, steak, and potatoes while I worked on this blog.  

After a delicious dinner it was time to download the photos and finish this blog.  We watched the Cowboys/Rams game and I worked on some cards!  Back to bed around 10:15 where I watched some of the game in bed.  It was a great day!