Adventure Logan

Live Vicariously

I thought that it was time for you to see the beach and birds since I hear that Nova Scotia is quite cold these days. We have been enjoying better than usual weather and  the beach beckons us often. Today it was 82 degrees and we made a visit to the beach area we call “the dunes”. It is to the right of the Venice Pier and boasts dunes that make it interesting.

The pelicans were very busy today – here is one guy with his little friend who was with him everytime he dove into the water with a fish. I do not think he got even a crumb!

The bridge to the beach affords a great view of the Venice Fishing Pier and a great palm too!

Dave enjoys watching the birds diving – and the occasional interesting critter. Today an interesting duck that swims along the shore line and then pops up on the shore kept us entertained for quite a while. He was too fast to get a pic though.

I really enjoy taking pictures of the birds and this guy was quite appealing.

Boca Grande

The Red Hat group travelled to Boca Grande to have a lunch and hear a presentation about the famous historic Gasparilla Inn and Club. It was interesting to spend an afternoon at the 5 star historic inn ( along with the Bush family George W and Laura who spend January there LOL).

This 100 year old hotel is quietly elegant and in such a beautiful location. During the presentation we learned that no public advertising of any kind took place until 2002 – so for 90 years all reservations came as a result of word of mouth! The first winter as the opening date approached (February 14, 1913) they discovered that they were all ready except for the fact that they didn’t have any reservations. A call came from a Boston widow and they coyly told her they would squeeze her in – she must have spread the word about getting the coveted spot because within days all the rooms had booked.

Reception area

In the dining room

Dining room

One area in the 3000 square foot area that they call the “living room”

And another part of the living room

South veranda

Carol, Liz, Carol Ann and Judy in the main stairway

The grounds and a historic building that was floated from a nearby key

Furry Visitor

Molly and George returned to Florida after their Christmas holiday with Adonia (Addy for short) – a family member’s dog. She will be spending the winter with them. We got the chance to dog-sit over night and had lots of fun. It did make us think of our dear Emily who went to doggy heaven in Daytona Beach in 2007.

Whenever we couldn’t find her we discovered that she liked to climb into her carrier for a nap – cute as a button!

Addy loved to sit in the sun by the patio doors and watch the cars go up the street – looking for Molly and George no doubt!

She also likes laps and whenever someone was at the computer she climbed up. Usually it was me, but I did catch her on Dave’s lap a few times.

Hot Hot Hot

It has been extra warm this week – apparently about 15 degrees F above normal. The weather has been headlining the news and even the locals have begun to wear “summer” clothes. Several newscasters mentioned being disappointed that they can’t wear their winter gear – yuck! Of course, temps in the low 70’s constitute cold for them, LOL!

We have been making a daily trek to the beach since it is so beautiful for January. The only thing is the water is still too cold for my favourite thing – sitting in the beach chair in the water!

Renovating 2013

As usual it is necessary to remodel these old trailers. This winter’s reno is actually starting with the removal of some strapping and then painting the living room. The ceiling had woodgrain cross straps and scallop edged trim at the roof line and also 1 foot down. I have wanted to get rid of them or paint them for quite some time. So this was the time !

We got rid of the scallop edge and replaced it with straight edge and painted from the drop line up white. It looks wonderful.

Of course, the window trim needed attention so that became my painting job.

We painted the walls a light aqua called ice blue. It is really only a light tint but it looks so nice and clean.  After that you can always be sure other jobs will surface as I was pretty sure it wouldn’t end with a simple paint job. So I got Dave to make valences for the windows and we painted them the ice blue.

While I was painting the corner cabinet,  I realized that it looked great without its doors so now it is a great corner display case – gone are the dated doors.

Then while my decorating brain was in gear I decided that the cabinet on the long wall didn’t look very good anymore – it was a makeshift one made from pieces that used to be the divider between the living and dining room. I knew that I would be able to find a buffet/hutch but even I was a little surprised at how quickly I found the perfect piece!  We headed for supper at N’Tinos and while Earl and Dave ordered pizza,  Liz and I popped into Goodwill and there it was – a buffet/hutch – for a mere $70. PERFECT TOO!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all our family and friends! We hope that the coming year brings you good health and happiness. The Canadian gang is small so there were only 5 ( Jimmy, Mike and Judy and us)  for tonight’s celebration. At 6:30 we had dinner at the Hibachi Grill and Buffet followed by a game of dominoes.While we waited for the ball to drop in New York we had long distance calls to Peggy, Earl & Liz and Danny & Marilyn.