Adventure Logan

We were lucky enough to be invited to the Venice Theatre by a golfing buddy of Dave’s who had 2 tickets that weren’t being used. I didn’t pay much attention as the events there are always good and we made the assumption that it was for a tribute show (of which there are many). When we arrived at the the show, we discovered that it was a 2 night special performance of  Herman’s Hermits. Peter Noone was the original lead for the group and he now tours – what a treat. They played mostly their own hits and I knew all of them – a journey into our past for sure. (I’m Into Something Good, Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A lovely Daughter, Henry the VIII, I am, Silhouettes, Can’t You Hear my Heartbeat, Just A little Bit Better, There’s A Kind of a Hush just to name a few.)

This month has been another record breaking one – most days temperatures were above the normal and a few broke all time records. We have been busy with our regular events and have managed the beach quite a few days. As always there are sights to be seen.

Today when we arrived at the beach access we spotted this guy having a field day in the garbage can. I took the pics from about 4 meters – could have gone closer as he was quite unfazed by us.

Then once we settled into our spot on the beach this cormorant decided to dry off right next to us. He was there for about 20 minutes before he finally waddled to the shoreline and took off.

Of course, there were lots of dogs on the adjacent beach area – and this guy caught my eye as he spent lots of time just wading out and swimming in with the waves.

Marilyn and Danny arrived last week so our gang is growing. We met up with Carol and Stephen Hiltz for golf and shopping – you can guess who did what.

The clubhouse dinner this month was on a Mardi Gras theme and the entertainment featured a woman who lives in the park and who is in a band and a who also sings with just a guitarist. She can actually sing very well and is quite versatile – did Bruno Mars – Up Town Funk, Adele and some country as part of her set.

Liz and Earl won one of the door prizes.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of our snow bound family and friends.

Hope you are getting dug out and mobile again. Dave showed up with these and I love them!

We spent the afternoon at the beach – thought I needed a heart to match the day!

And of course, there are lots of birds to watch and some boats too!

Yesterday we met Stephen and Carol Hiltz in Sarasota and had lunch on Lido Key at a neat restaurant on the water. It is a dry dock for boats. Got to sit by the water while waiting for our table where some really fat and lazy pelicans hang out on the pillars. Had a great time catching up and planned a golf and shopping trip for the next time.

On Wednesday we travelled to Lakeland (about 1.5 hours away) with Dennis and Gerrie Irwin to attend the Snowbird Extravaganza. It was our first time but the Irwins are veterans of this event. Basically it is a mini trade show with entertainment and the annual meeting of the Canadian Snowbird Association. This association has 100,000 members and over 30,000 of them attended this event in Florida. Other large events are held in Arizona and Texas.

Dave was hoping to get to see Jimmy Flynn (Dave was president of the Fleet Club in the 80’s and  responsible for the entertainment and often hired Jimmy). We were only on site for about 20 minutes when he got his wish to connect with Jim. They had a quick gab about the “good old days” and we also got to see his performance.

In addition to Jimmy’s show we also saw Crystal Gage a multiple award-winning country performer.

And to top off the day we were treated to the Celtic-based music and dance of The Next Generation Leahy. These are the 6 kids of Doug Leahy  who is part of the group Leahy. They have performed with such artist as The Tenors, and their Uncle Donnell and Aunt Natalie MacMaster). The kids range in age from 6-14 and are very talented.

It was interesting to meet this friendly RCMP officer from Winnipeg. He told us he was really enjoying the warm weather.

We were surprised we didn’t see many people we know (Dave always meets people wherever he goes). We were thrilled that we ran into Hazel and Gordie Hadley who camped with us at Evangeline Beach for many years.

No road trip is complete without at lunch stop. We had these scrumptious milk shakes at Steak and Shake!

So this is winter in Florida. We have had record warm and dry so it is very easy to take. We have been doing the Friday night out for supper so that is always on the agenda. Finally made it to the Burgundy Cafe with Liz and Earl.

One of our favourite beaches is South Brohard  – it is next to the dog beach and we get to walk there for a dog fix. This week we made a trip there and were not disappointed.

We have very few projects but one that is finished is the addition of some lattice work by our front door. Earl and Dave had it up in record time and I am very pleased with it – wish we had done it sooner.

This past weekend (January 22) we were under severe storm watch for about 10 hours. Although there was strong wind all day, we only got 2 bouts of heavy rain. There were tornadoes in surrounding states and damaging winds close by. On Monday morning we took a drive to see the water – the jetty area was closed but we did get to see from Venice Beach and the beach at Sharky’s.

There were about 5 cool days so we missed beach time. As usual, when we are at the beach, there are lots of birds to watch.

And human fliers to watch

And the beautiful turquoise water

Liz and Earl arrived on January 2 – let the fun begin.

We have settled into somewhat normal routines here – oh the wild life in a senior’s park! Liz and Earl are here now so we make Wednesday night at the clubhouse a regular event – BINGO. Last night all 4 of us won.  Crafting will begin shortly as Liz and I have been scouting ideas and we are ready for some beading.

Then there are those great sunsets.

Well we have done a variety of things on New Year’s Eve’s these past 9 years – street parties here in the park, several restaurant years, house parties and the like – oh and the famous year on the Panama Canal cruise when there were 8 foot waves. This year we decided (since we were alone) to do something different. Tonight went like a well-oiled machine so we are happy. First we ordered Chinese food from China Jade which we enjoyed very much.

Then it was off to see The Passengers at the Galleria Theaters – first movie we have seen on New Year’s Eve in either of our lives. When the movie finished, we had 15 minutes to drive to Service Beach (lantern in hand) to see the fireworks that were shot off from Sharkey’s  Beach.

Back home to watch some TV before bed – not a drink was had!

Boy how times have changed from the years of late night dances and dinners.

Hopefully you all celebrated the new year in your own unique way and that 2017 will be a great one for each of you.

We are decorated and very festive although the temperatures are mid 80’s and it looks nothing like Christmas outdoors. I love decorating and since Dave bought me that shed for storing my bins I have to put out my treasures as usual.

Living Room

Dining Room

Lanai

Bathroom

Patio

For us it is all about the decorations, music and food – we love turkey dinner.  On Christmas Eve we went to Service Beach to catch the sunset – beautiful – in the parking lot there was a rainbow and then within minutes a large black cloud sprinkled us with rain.

Christmas Day was shared with Daniel and Karen but the rest of you were in our thoughts and prayers. Since there were only the four of us we went with all the food on the table in bowls and platters and it worked out well – can’t do that when there are 12 people in a small trailer.

We have been here for a month already! Where did that month go???  Dave has golfed his weekly 4 games – with the boot until this week when he removed it (after the required 5 weeks). He is using a cart still but he says that the foot feels fine. We have enjoyed the above average temperatures and actually made it to the beach a couple of times per week. I have attended 2 Red Hat functions and we have been out for supper on Friday nights. Molly and her sister Marly were here for 2 weeks and we even managed a night of dominoes.  The weekly cheap night at the movies has started and we are looking forward to seeing some great (and also not so great) movies this winter. After the movie, we go next door to the frozen yogurt place  – oddly it is what gets us through some of the movies.

Today we headed to Nokomis Beach for the first time this year.

There were lots of birds on the water and soaring above the sunbathers.

One plus of going to Nokomis Beach is that we often make a trip to Nokomis Groves for the “best orange ice cream” ever.

Today was another gorgeous day and we headed to the jetty. Since it isn’t a usual spot for us, I took the camera and managed some shots that really appealed to me. The weather was wonderful after a few days of cool temperatures – sunny and 80 degrees.

Looking at Venice Beach and the condos/apartments that are at that end of Venice Avenue.

Looking from the North Jetty ( Venice Island) toward the South Jetty (Nokomis) – Nokomis Beach.

This Snowy Egret was almost tame – he didn’t move a feather as I approached him.

There were lots of boats coming back in from the Gulf as it was 4 PM.

This guy is an Anhinga (nicknamed a snakebird). His feathers are not water repellant so he needs to dry off in the sun and breeze. He was just spreading his wings and standing there for the longest time before he headed into the water again.

I know that I often repeat myself here on this blog but I chalk it up to age when I do. To say that there are perks here is an understatement – otherwise the hundreds of thousands of visitors to this state would not be here. One of my favourite ones is the U-turn at intersections – yipee . It would not work at most intersections in Nova Scotia but it sure is great to be able to use it here. The other perk is the price of gas. Ordinarily it would cost us $75 Canadian to fill the Camry – here this year it cost $43 Canadian. So even though the exchange rate is terrible gas prices help with the pain.

A giant peeve is the grocery cart. There are corrals for empty carts just as there are in Nova Scotia – except they are mostly unused. Patrons here abandon their carts in every conceivable spot – grassy medians, in the parking spot next to their car and wedged up against trees. Many times it  is impossible to pull into an empty parking spot because it has a cart in it. Given that the weather is terrific it is hard to imagine why no one wants to walk the extra few paces to use the corral.

We both spend time with Americans – in the park, at the golf course and for me, at Red Hat. Before we came we discussed the election and all the opinions surrounding it. We decided we needed to have a “stock” comment that would not offend anyone. So when we are asked what our thoughts are on the outcome or the new president we simply say “that we hope he is the best president that they have ever had – as that will mean both the Americans and Canadians will be happy with the outcome”. Perhaps this strategy will keep us out of any disagreements that might happen otherwise. We are in a Republican state after all.