Adventure Logan

Life continues to be super at the beach – here are some pics to remind you of why we love it here so much.

Venice Pier

I love watching the birds on the beach and can't resist taking pictures of them.

A day at the beach is a magnificent treat.

Dan Thornham (Liz Corkery's brother) was here for a week and loved the beach as much as we all do.

Tara spent the post marathon week with us. For three days we did lots of beach time and enjoyed the fabulous weather. After two beach outings we went to Nokomis Groves for an orange ice cream. They have been in business for 63 years and it is a very busy spot after a day at the beach. Tara wanted to spend her last night at Olive Garden so off we went with her and the Munroes (who she has known for most of her life). We really enjoyed having her with us and hope that the next trip will be even longer as there are lots of things we want to do.

Tara at Service Beach

Tara with Venice Pier in the background - also a neat motorized para sailer

Arriving at Nokomis Beach for first time

Tara and I having our first orange ice cream at Nokomis Groves.

Snorkling on Nokomis Beach

Another gorgeous day on Nokomis Beach

Nokomis day 2

Tara Day 2 on Nokomis Beach

Looking south on Nokomis Beach

Dave with Day 2 cones at the Grove - yum!

By mural at Nokomis Groves

Tara with Dan and Marilyn at Olive Garden

Last night with Tara at Olive Garden

Liz and I attended 2 Red Hat functions in the last week – one was just lunch at a restaurant called Morgans. It is up the 41 highway and ultra modern – certainly didn’t feel or look like Florida. Then on the 28th we attended the Queen’s Council Gala – Mardi Gras theme. That was held at the Jacaranda West Golf and Country Club.

Liz and I at Morgan's

Program Cover for Gala

Red Hat Flappers at the Gala

With our masks

My niece Tara ran in the Disney Princess Half Marathon this morning at 3 am. She arrived in Orlando on Friday and the run was this morning. She raised over $4000 for Leukemia and Lymphoma in memory of my mother Beatrice Knock who died of leukemia 20 years ago next month. The winter training and tireless fundraising would have made Mom very proud. Tara finished the half and we are so proud of her. I will post pics as I receive them.

Barb Gaudet from our condo in Dartmouth came to visit today with her friend Marty. They spent the day with the Cullens and then the 6 of us went to Sharkey’s for supper. She spends the winter an hour north of here so it was nice to get to spend time with them. The sunset was great tonight and as usual the mango bango was delicious!

Love this bird!

On the pier

Dave and the wildlife

Sharkey's as seen from the pier

Mike & Judy

Barb & Marty

Carol and Dave

Sunset view from our table at Sharkeys

The theme for this dinner was “Life is great in the trailer hood”. The decorations were great – placemats were newspapers, centerpieces were beer bottles with plastic flowers and they put “red neck” clothes lines around and hailed the red solo cup! Dinner was swiss steak, mashed potatoes string beans, kernel corn and cupcakes for dessert.

Red Neck Christmas Tree

Dave & Carol

Judy & Mike

Earl & Liz

Dan & Marilyn

Peg and JIm

Judy and Mike have settled into their trailer after a month of hard work – to thank all the folks who helped with the purchase and renos they hosted a beach supper. So it was off to the beach for yet another meal. The 13 of us enjoyed a tasty meal of lasagna, salad and garlic bread – followed by great cookies called snickerdoodles. The sunset was great and the conversations lively.

Sunset Thursday, February 16

At the beach shelter

Peg and I at the thank you beach supper

Fifteen of us headed out to celebrate Valentines together. The MacIntyres (Gus and Mary Evelyn), the Cullens (Mike and Judy), the Corkerys (Liz and Earl), the Thomas duo (Dave and Jan), the Gallants (Carol Ann and Charles), Brian McIntosh and his mother Kathleen, Marilyn Munroe and us. First we had dinner together at Applebees and then came back to the park to have dessert at the Gallants. The weather is back to great again and we were all more than comfortable waiting to get to our table. Love not needing socks or jackets !!

The gang of 15

Marilyn with Mike (Danny in Ottawa visiting his father)

Charles and Carol Ann

Liz and Earl

Jan and Dave

Mike and Judy

Mary Evelyn and Gus

Brian and Katheen

Dave and Carol

Dessert Selection at the Gallants (key lime pie, mango lime pie, turtle pie, cherries, strawberries and chocolates)

At Carol Ann's for dessert

Dessert Party

Dave and I drove to Largo for the 20th annual Nova Scotia picnic. The other Venice folks opted out this year due to company and health but Dave (an Ontario native) loves it so off we went. It is always a great time seeing such a large group of Nova Scotians in one spot. The weather cooperated well as it was sunny and there was no wind. Dave barbecued sausages and hotdogs. We saw lots of people we knew and got to catch up with the other folks enjoying life here in sunny Florida.

Getting my dog fix from Thunder

Nova Scotian at the picnic ???

Nova Scotians waiting for the 50/50 draw - Dave won the last one $25

Mac and Erna

Carol and Brenda

Barb and Marty

Cal, Jim and Dave

Dave, Carol, Erna and Mac