LAST PART OF OUR TRIP INTO FLORIDA * BITS AND PIECES

So many bridges to cross!  From St. Petersburg to Bradenton ~~ this bridge was the best by far.  The supporting system is a work of art.

I met my Alter Ego, at an ART FAIR in Blind Pass.  Isn't she a grand lady?  When I am "old" I shall wear purple.  Yup, I know she is wearing red--but I will wear purple! 











Mother Nature has a hold on me and these three pictures are evidence she is everywhere!  The Osprey built this nest in a residential area, in Apalachicola, FL. 

 The playful terns gathered on the beach, very early in the morning.  I was out shelling and they paid no mind to me at all.

The newt was at the historic Fort De Soto.

THE PIER

We have been visiting this pier for twenty two years!  Located in St. Petersburg, FL ~ it is one of the first places we went together way back when we first visited Grandma Cramer.  In the span of those 22 years we have seen The Pier go from very vibrant, to almost desolate.  This year it was "on the mend" and just jumping with activity.  Good to see it's making a comeback!  Now if they would just get back the restaurant with the philly steak sandwiches!  They were the best! 
The pelicans still frequent the pier, looking for a hand-out.  Michelle and Josh used to feed them and at times they would try to take a bite out of them! 
Oh, the memories...
The above picture is a view of St. Pete from the pier.  The trolley takes you up to the pier from the parking lot. 
Josh, my son, (at the tender age of 6) innocently asked us, "What's a trolleyup?" 


Not understanding our slur of words when we said, "Let's take the trolley up."
Funny to me every time we are there! 

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...