SLOW AND EASY DOWN THE COAST

   TAKING OUR TIME AND ENJOYING THE COAST

Meandering along Hwy. 98 close to the Gulf of Mexico has been very pleasant!  We have been stopping at all the sights, the beaches, the quaint towns and  the state parks. We drove over several bridges, joining beach towns. 

I walked the white sands of the beaches, so white it looks like snow along the highway.              

Joe saw more old buildings! 

These not as preserved as
the previous ones! 

We've seen colorful beach homes, several dome houses (Could they be trying to have the storms blow over and around them?), and so very, very, many homes for sale. The one that hit me as being extremely sad had a yellow sign in front of two words: MAKE OFFER 
The economy has affected many all over the world--we have seen results along the coast.  Many boats in Destin, FL had Bank Owned signs on them, with prices 1/3 of the original prices!  Count your blessings, we do, everyday.

The town of Apalachicola was a fun stop. I "just looking" shopped.  Numerous antique stores line the streets of this quaint town. Mixed in with the antiques were many "ideas" to fill my mind!  Joe went to the museum, which was locked, so he preceeded to visit through the windows.  He got the gist of the town through the items he viewed.  Most museums have the same displays--things from our childhoods! 

Left Apalachicola, returning to Hwy. 98.  Figuring there would be a motel along the route, as we just left thousands of hotel/motel rooms behind us.  NOPE!
Nothing for miles, now it's dark -I don't like us driving in the dark.  We got off on Hwy. 27 to find the small town of Mayo, with one motel and a Subway!  We considered ourselves lucky.  Relaxing in a comfy, clean, old-fashion motel, eating sub sandwiches.
On our way to the beaches tomorrow!

~~ PENSACOLA ~~~ OLD BUILDINGS ~~ FRESH BIEGNETS ~~

We drove into Pensacola, FL to come upon the historic district.  Seville Gardens was a real find this morning. The old warehouses have been turned into restaurants, bars, entertainment centers for children and beautiful gardens. This morning, I thought the best part was the waitress that made my cafe mocha and fresh biegnets!  Warm, covered with powdered sugar and made fresh. YUM.

Joe could've spent the entire week looking at the old buildings and interiors.  I was anxious to get my toes into some sand!  Off we went to Pensacola Beach! It is already past noon! 

There will be more old buildings along the way, I'm sure!  Hope you enjoy the pictures and bit of information posted here.  Maybe it's a place that you haven't been to and you can catch a glimpse of what it's like.

The sun is out and the weather is gorgeous, let's go! 

GALVESTON, OH GALVESTON...

Joe read books this winter about Galveston, TX. The history, the hurricane of 1900, Strand Street (the most important street in Galveston and most important financial center in the world from 1870-1900.)

The hurricane brought an end to the prosperity of Galveston.  Galveston's port was one of the busiest in the world.  Today is it a beach, resort town.  The beach is dotted with colorful umbrellas and people with lobster skin, having fun during their vacations. 

Joe enjoyed seeing where the action was, so many years ago.  We took a horse and buggy ride with the driver giving a little history of the area.  Joe helped him out with more details than the driver could possibly remember!   

Leaving Texas~~
We are glad we spent the winter in Brownsville, TX.  We went to as many places as possible, met some wonderful people, added approximately 80 birds to my life bird list and enjoyed many towns in the area, as well as a few in Mexico.

ADIOS A TEJAS ~ GOOD BYE TO TEXAS

Don't open the slide doors, stuff will fall out!

We are packed, I should say stuffed to the gills (if the van was a fish.) Up early tomorrow morning and off to Galveston, TX.  That will be our first stop along the trail we have mapped out to Florida. 

SPRING IS BEAUTIFUL IN TEXAS

     SCROLL AND ENJOY~~BEAUTY IN TEXAS

RESIDENT SWAN ~ WINTER HAVEN

When we came to Winter Haven Park two beauties were in the Resaca. Resident swans, majestically swimming the day away; being fed by a human resident. 
One day, as the swans were getting their meal, I inquired where they came from and what they eat. The park bought them from the Gladys Porter Zoo, here in Brownsville.  The food also comes from the zoo, a special combination made just for swans. The lady that takes care of them was told, by the zoo, that they were the same gender. WELL...

The other day I noticed one of the swans nesting, near the clubhouse.  She went in search of food and there were three eggs in the nest. I took these pictures of her replenishing her nest with dead weeds and grass.  She goes out in the evenings, looking for fresh food, my quest will be to get a better picture of her eggs when she's away.  She nipped at her feeder when I was there yesterday. 
Very protective, I'm staying far away from her!

This morning, on my way to the pool, I noticed the swan was gone and so was the hose that wound around her nest.  Being very watchful I took a new picture of the eggs.  She returned shortly and started gathering grass and dried weeds around herself. 

 The eggs are about the size of a cereal bowl.  Reminds me of the sugar eggs my mother made from molds years ago. They were hollow with miniature Easter scenes inside.                Oh...memories...

                         MEXICAN ARTISAN EXPO



This past weekend we went to the 4th Annual Artisan Expo, in Pharr, TX.  We put on the GPS and it took us right to the door of the Convention Center.  Good thing because we saw a parking lot full of cars, but no sign. 
There was one, we saw it when we were leaving!
Mexican artists bring their crafts to Pharr, TX to make shopping easy for the people in the area.
The place was crowded, with people selling and people buying. Food samples, straight out of Mexico, were offered as you strolled by the tables laden with crafts, art pieces and delicious looking foods. 

The girls above are dancing with glasses of water on their heads.  A traditional dance in the Mexican state they are from. 

Many religious articles were displayed and for sale.  There were dolls, pictures, pottery, ceramics (as the skelton lady, as tall as I am) candies, cookies, tostados, leather goods, serapes, nuts, glassware and a large variety of jewlery.  I purchased tostados that I used to get when living in Mexico--YUM.  Made salsa when I got home too!  I also bought very, very thin almond cookies and cinnamon drenched pecans--YUMMO!  A painted picture, with embroidery infused into the flowers, handmade by the lady in the above, was my last purchase.  A nice rememberance of being in Texas, which seems like a suburb of Mexico!

The two guys, in the picture below, were anxious to make the taco that I ordered.  Beans and cheese.  I added salsa and it was a full meal!   $2.00 ~ Took me back to the days we spent in Mexico, eating at the street stands.  Very delicious!  

A nice time at the Mexican Artisan Expo, in Pharr. Not too far from Mexico. (Pharr pronounced FAR.)  Plus, I had a chance to practice my Spanish, as most vendors spoke only in espanol!  Thanks to Hector (my teacher in Mexico) I still can get along asking questions and carrying on short conversations with the friendly people of Mexico.