Adventure Logan

Venice Christmas Boat Parade

This evening was the parade and although it had been a very rainy and windy day we did venture out to see it. We found a perfect new location to view it so were very pleased to have done it all in one hour. We positioned ourselves on the north jetty and were able to see the boats come west along the length of the north jetty and turn in front of us travelling east along the south jetty. All 46 floats were brightly lit and most had music our sound effects. Next year we are already planning a picnic prior to the parade.

H1N1

God Bless America. Today the six of us – Carol Ann and Charles, Dave and Jan, Dave and I went to a free clinic and had our shots. No fuss no muss – just got in line and less than an hour later we were all done. The rate of H1N1 here in the state is about 60% so we really did think that we should be protected.

Settling into Life at the Beach

We are mostly unpacked although I am very busy reorganizing cupboards and drawers. I have surprised myself with the restraint I have shown when at the Goodwill, Thrift Shop and yard sales. Actually, there are 4 boxes that I filled and sent along to the donation center for Goodwill. Dave’s sensible rule of “one thing in and one thing out” is coming closer to a reality. This week we had our first dominoes night – Carol Anne’s rules which are known as the “Doyle Rules” – and we like them alot.

First Beach Day

Well we finally made it to the beach today. We have been very busy with setting up and unpacking and of course eating so we haven’t had time until today. Our first beach trip was to Service Beach which is the closest to our house (2 minutes in the car). The water temps were mid 70’s. It was great to hear and smell the surf. I love the shore birds and took the first of many photos. There is nothing like a beach day in November.

Santa Parade

This evening the gang went off to the annual Santa Parade. The part of this that intrigues me most is the fact that our lawn chairs were set up on Venice Avenue for 4 days in advance of the parade. It was the 34th annual and was over 2 hours long.
Dave and Carol
Charles and Carol Ann

Dave and Jan

Glenn, Gus, Janet, Mary Evelyn and John

Molly and George




Justin even wore a great little Santa suit.

First Yard Sale Day

This was the first outing to yard sales and it was fun as usual. Mary Evelyn picked us up in Janet’s new van – so we had lots of room for our stuff!! My find of the day was at the Habitat for Humanity yard sale. This great patio table and 4 chairs were a good deal. The umbrella is the one my niece, Tara, gave us. It fits well in the back patio space near the BBQ.

Black Friday

Black Friday is an American tradition for the day after Thanksgiving. I slept last year but this year Dave and I did get up at 6 AM and headed to Lowe’s to check out laminate flooring. While there we spotted pointsettias for 99 cents. So I managed to buy 8 of them.

Last year I had 5 and planted them in this planter. They survived and are still great (although only green so far).

So I took the 8 new ones and planted 3 into the planter – and the other 5 into other planters which are on the patio. Very festive and at such a great price.

Later in the day I found 5 great patio chairs at the local Goodwill and they look great with the cushions and table I already had.

Thanksgiving USA

The beautiful sun shone this morning and prompted Dave to take in an early morning round of golf. I continued with the getting organized and actually unpacked a few things from the car. When he returned from golf, we worked on the front yard. Gone is the white bistro set (to the park’s yard sale). There was too much work to spend time at the beach – did manage 15 minutes in the sun though!! At 4 PM we were off to the MacIntyre’s new condo for Thanksgiving dinner. With us there were Molly, George, Carol Ann, Charles, Jan, Dave and of course the MacIntyres including Janet and Glenn and the two kids, John and Justin. The super turkey dinner was a bonus!

I got to hold baby Justin and that was a real treat!

Venice Day 1

I won’t be keeping a daily blog but I did think I ought to mark the occasion of our first full day. Can you believe that we were both up at 6 AM!! Dave had planned on golfing but the rains came (and Florida rains are something to see). So we have spent the morning cleaning and rearranging the lanai. It might be raining but the temps are quite high so we have to fight the urge to sit down. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here so we will be off to visit the beach and then for dinner at the MacIntyre’s new condo. LIFE IS GOOD!!!

We are at our Beach House!!!

Hurrah! Yippee! We arrived here in sunny Venice at 2 PM after another long driving day which began at 5 AM. The rain kept north and we moved steadily toward the sun. The trailer was in super shape and we were also pleased that the weeds were almost non-existant. No beach for us as there is the task of unpacking that well packed trunk. Hope you are all well – keep checking for regular postings.