Colts - strange name for a bird...

  How cute are they?
The colts (young cranes) are so brown and fluffy.  They walk continually through the park, as colts need at least two miles a day in walking to develop properly. The parents are scratching for bugs unceasingly, teaching the colts what their future encompasses.  We have another pair of cranes on the other side of the park,  which do not have colts this season.  I love to hear them whopping it up in the morning and see them flying low throughout the park. 

BUBBA GUMP
SHRIMP CO.

Located at John's Pass, 
Maderia Beach, FL on the west coast. 

Not many movies do I watch over and over.  
For some reason Forrest Gump is one that I've seen several times.  It's one of those "feel-good" movies that can be seen again and again.  That must've been the thought of whom ever opened the Bubba Shrimp Restaurant.  The place is floor to ceiling with sayings and pictures from the movie.  
Another restaurant, seems like that's the hobby of choice down here- eating out.  

Anna Maria Island, Florida

 Visiting Anna Maria Island, on the west coast, with friends Bill and Andrea.  A very pleasant weekend away from our norm.  
I love the beach, so this was a real treat.  Staying at a beautiful resort, walking the beaches, riding the trolley across the island, a picture perfect sunset after a relaxing day.  Ahhhhh...

                 Melbourne Beach, Florida

I've always liked these signs, maybe it's the fact that there are many destinations on one sign and I'd like to see them all.
Notice it was 15' in Wyoming the day we were there.  It was in the 80's with the water temp being 77 degrees!  Yes, the water was warm. NICE

 I read all of the signs.  I like to be informed about each area we visit. Hangers Beach was especially nice. Patrick Air Force Base is across the road. 

Sun and water ~ my idea of a great day!
Joe is hiding from the sun, but enjoying the warmth. 

 Cherry Pocket ~ not just a restaurant ~ a destination! 

 Most of our friends think this place is a crazy restaurant.  I must be crazy because I think it's great!  An old fishing camp turned into a very profitable tourist attraction.  The food is great, blackened gator bites are tasty, music fills the air and gators in Lake Pierce swim near the deck.
On a fair size lake in Central Florida this place is not just a restaurant, it's a laid back, peaceful place to live.  Old Florida for sure!  
Only pictures of the restaurant here---there are campers, mobile homes, stick homes and concrete homes built next to and down from this little place.  The people, many I have met and talked with, that live near Cherry Pocket feel very blessed that they live there. It's that "down home" feeling, where you know all your neighbors. The lake adds peace to the scene, the campfires in the evenings add serenity. 
Music from the restaurant (usually oldies and country) wafts through the air for background ambiance.  If I had a choice I'd find a place to live at Cherry Pocket...I could go fishing whenever I wanted to...