Adventure Logan

Merry Christmas to you all from us here in sunny Florida. We have been enjoying life here in the warmer than usual weather. Many days we have trekked to the beach to catch a few rays so the suntans are coming along nicely. Things are very decorated here – can you imagine being able to put up strings of lights in 70+ degree weather! The malls have huge trees and garlands so if you can forget that you are in shorts and sandals it almost seems like home. Dave continues to golf (4 days a week) and we have been to movies each week – this week I went to see Lincoln with Peggy while Dave and Jim saw the Hobbit. We’ve been to the Laidlaws and Gallants for dinner. Earl was here for dinner three nights and we managed to host the Gallants before then went north for Christmas. We are teaching the gang to play canasta – dominoes will still be Thursday night but we like to have other things to do. Tonight we joined 55 people for dinner at the clubhouse (turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy and lots of side dishes). It started at 5 pm on the dot and we were already back at the trailer an hour and a half later!!! Talk about senior early bird specials.

At the hall in front of the tree on the stage!

Peg and Jim sat next to us in the hall – always great to be with them! There were three tables and ours got called to the buffet first – yipee for us. At home after the Christmas Dinner at the hall ! Time to let all that turkey land on our hips!

We have been very blessed this year with a super warm December – so we have managed quite a few trips to the beach. Usually it is warm but this year with temps in the high 70’s and low 80’s the beach really beckoned. As usual there are lots of birds to watch!

We have spent time at the beach with the MacIntyre grandchildren John and Justin (during their visit here).

And of course, there was a first drum circle of the season at Nokomis Beach. It is always an interesting experience to see the “characters” who come to the beach to drum down the sun. Each year I have noticed subtle changes (additions) to the ceremony. This year they set up an altar with palm fronds and lights and there were also banners hanging from the life guard station.

Since we have been here we have made Tuesday nights movie night. It is $5 for seniors so that is also a draw for us old folk. So far I have seen Skyfall, Life of Pi, and Playing for Keeps. I actually saw Playing for Keeps alone – first time I have ever gone to a movie all by myself. Dave and Earl went to see Red Dawn. Once Liz gets here in January, Tuesday night becomes our card making night in Englewood but until then it is a great chance to see some movies at a decent price.

The annual Venice Boat Parade is always a great event. I am not sure which part of it attracts us most but the pre-parade meal and social time is almost as much fun as the actual event. This year the weather cooperated big time – 80 degrees and clear as a bell. We had N’tinos pizza and pie in the picnic park and then walked across the street to where Dave had laid out the chairs (on Wednesday).

The bridge to Casey Key is lifted prior to the boat parade.  Since this vantage point was at the beginning of the parade we got to see the boats coming up from the south and getting into line. There were only 33 boats this year – fewer than any previous year but it was lots of fun anyway.

Pops Sunset Restaurant across from Nokomis Park where we watched the parade.

While we were there, a photographer from the Herald Tribune was taking pics. He got a pic of Dave and Earl as they waited for the parade to start. Three of the pics made it to the hard copy of this morning’s paper- not Dave and Earl however!  So here is the link if you want to see more of the parade and the guys!

http://galleries.heraldtribune.com/default.aspx?id=358348

We have had a great 2 weeks of settling in and making fun purchases. Grey Thursday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday were all interesting events. We opted not to do much in-store but I did have some fun with the sales online. I got my Ninja frozen drink maker on Black Friday along with a TV for the Cullens via the Walmart.com site. They have both already arrived at the store and all we had to do was pick up at the store. We bought new phones and since our Bell Expressvu isn’t working we got a new PVR from Direct TV. Then Target had the e-reader that I wanted (Nook with after glow) so that I can read in bed and have the screen backlit. So I got that on sale and received a $25 Visa card for purchasing it – got to love it. We wanted to try Amazon.com so I got a lime green case for the Nook and protective sheets for the screen. They too have already arrived along with a dozen golf balls that were half price. Just when I thought all the tech was covered I decided to buy a router and give myself wireless here. SO – it was time to learn how to use all this new stuff. The phones needed all the numbers inputted, the PVR needed to be learned, the e-reader set up and books downloaded from Woodlawn Library and the router set-up. The only thing that I actually knew how to operaate was the Ninja – so the frozen smoothies were easy.

Although the weather is in the mid to high 70’s and not very Christmas-like, we geared up for the 36th Annual Venice Holiday parade. Over 3,000 people representing 120 businesses and organizations participated in this event. Mary Evelyn and Gus borrowed chairs and placed them on the route 4 days ago. Putting chairs out long in advance has been a long-standing tradition which they are stopping next year. They will be allowing the setup only 24 hours before hand – it will be interesting to see if they can break this habit.

We arrived at our spot around 6:45 and joined Mary Evelyn, Gus, Janet, Glen, John, Justin, Molly and George to view the parade from our selected location. Yes, the chairs were still there 4 days later.

Today was Thanksgiving here in the USA! It is a bigger deal than Christmas with 4 days off, lots of turkey and football. We cooked a 15 pound turkey and invited Molly and George to join us. Before lunch we heard from Mary Evelyn and Gus and they joined us as well.  It was great having turkey again – and all the trimmings (peas, carrots, turnip, potatoes and corn casserole). I even had one of the small “champagnes” that I got in New Hampshire. It was great having a visit with our Nova Scotian friends.

I finally managed to make a trip to Goodwill after several days of driving by and seeing those big 18 wheelers parked out back. All day long I was getting the “call” and after we worked in the yard I told Dave I was going to take a quick run over. Then I got busy with something and at 5:30 just about decided not to go when Dave encouraged me to go before supper. So I wasn’t too surprised when I found 2 treasures – a black metal end table that goes perfectly with my futon on the patio and a pair of pictures for our renovated bedroom. I love it when I get that strong urge to go – it usually means that some item is waiting there for me. Of course 2 great purses called to me also – they are so happy hanging in my closet.

Water Egret and Water Heron

End table to match my futon

We left South Carolina this morning at 5:45 ! Both of us were very anxious to get on the road and arrive in Venice before dark. It was cloudy and 14 degrees when we left but warmed up steadily as the day progressed. When we got to Florida, the clouds dispersed and bright sun greeted us. We made such good time that we stopped at Sam’s Club (like Costco) at 1:30 and bought new phones. Those of you who know Dave well, know that he power shops, so in 20 minutes we had the items we wanted and were on our way again. (Liz C I have chicken/cranberry/pecan salad in my fridge LOL). For those of you who have made this drive and have come to Venice, you will relate to the joy we felt at about 2:10 this afternoon when the sign Venice Exit 200 appeared. So with the sun shining and temps at 26 degrees, we pulled into our driveway and sighed! Gus MacIntyre and Dave Thomas had the shutters up, the damp rid and kitty litter (anti moisture) removed, the AC running and things ready for us. Thanks guys. Dave and I have been working on putting things away and he has even made a run to Publix. The phones, Internet and Direct TV all work. We appear to be having an issue with Bell Express Vu but I am sure I will manage to get it in the next day or so. (Dave will go up the ladder and adjust the dish itself tomorrow).  Tonight will be another early one but I do know that tonight’s bed is super comfortable.

At 6:18 this morning we headed out from Danbury. It was a spectacular day – cloudless and sunny – a perfect day to travel through the mountains. As we travelled through the Shenandoah, Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains we saw some great sights and were happy to see the car’s temp gauge rise to 14. At one point today we passed a convoy of about 9 trucks from Texas who had been helping with the relief effort in New Jersey (electrical and tree removal). Last night (forgot to mention it) and then again late today we tried something we hadn’t done before – we travelled in the HOV lane which is reserved for cars with 2+ passengers. It was great to scoot past everyone on the main highway. Last year on the way home we stopped at a place in North Carolina called JR’s and next door there was a great Shoe Rack store. I got a great deal on Sketchers sandals. So this year I mentioned that I would like to make a repeat stop. Now you know Dave wanted me to explain why I would want to buy more sandals. Fortunately I was able to say that I had left them in Dartmouth and needed new ones for Venice. He stopped (his butt was pretty numb by then so he needed to walk around) and within 15 minutes I had 2 new pairs of sandals ($50 each) for a mere $15 for both. A quick stop in JR’s for some salt water toffee and we were on our way. We travelled 1400 KM today in about 13.5 hours – good time for sure. We have just settled in our room in Orangeburg, South Carolina and are happy that day 2 is behind us and that Venice awaits a short 10 hours away.

We left Dartmouth this morning at 5:55 AM. Although I am not a morning person, I managed to get up in time to accommodate Dave’s desire to get on the road. Since this is the last time we will be driving (taking the Camry and leaving it there this year), we wanted to spread the travelling more evenly among the 3 days. The skies were cloudy until we got to Maine when the sun broke out. The warmest it got today was 8 degrees.  The new double lane highway between Saint John and the border was excellent. (Dave tells me he heard it was finished early and under budget – imagine) Gas here in the USA is 95 cents a litre – wow what a difference on a fill up! We arrived at Portsmouth Circle for the annual “fun at the NH Liquor Store” – a real oddity since I drink so little. However, we managed to buy Dave’s rum, some wine and 5 bottles of champagne (Mary Daniels get here quick I may have to drink them without you). Thank you to the Live Free and Die State!! LOL  It is 8 PM our time and we have arrived in Danbury, Connecticut for the night. Today we travelled 1300 KM and are pleased with the trip so far. Both of us are taking solace in the fact that we won’t have to drive this route anymore so no matter how long the days seem after 8 years we are DONE! If all goes well tomorrow we will be in South Carolina (and palm trees).