UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE CENTER

Overnight in Scottsboro, AL had us at the Liberty Restaurant early in the morning. After a tasty, "like Mom would make it" breakfast, we were at the Unclaimed Baggage Center when it opened at 9:00.  There, along with several other snowbirds, on their trek to the North. Many "Snowbirds" must have seen the Travel Channel show about this place!

 We split up at the entrance. Joe went to what interested him and I was off to the electronics section. I left there quickly and went to browse the hundreds of books. Picking one out I met Joe and we took off, discussing the prices of some of the items we saw.
Joe saw watches ranging in price from $10 to $9,000.
I studied a diamond ring that was going for $17,000, 
thinking that if I had a ring worth that much, I'd make sure it was on my finger! Now, these are reduced prices/the actual appraised prices are much higher. 
The rest of the store was basically a glorified thrift store.  Nothing much tickled my fancy today. 
The book I  purchased is THE TECATE JOURNAL by: Keith Bowden. (Seventy days on the Rio Grande.)
Glad we stopped ~~ now we've been there.

WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE! HEADING TOWARD IT THOUGH...

...NOR ARE WE IN FLORIDA~ON THE ROAD AGAIN...

We left Florida at 6:00a.m. ~ even though I have been awake since 3:00a.m.!  Just couldn't sleep thinking of everything that still needed to be done.  Finished packing the van and we were on the road, heading to MickeyD's, for coffee! 

Approaching Atlanta, Georgia. Should be reaching our first destination - Scottsboro, AL - by early this evening. Tomorrow we will browse the Unclaimed Baggage Center.  I intently watched the program about it on the travel channel...then some RV'ers we know (Hi Odel and Laurie)toured it recently...should be an interesting diversion on our way to Missouri. 
A post about our adventure at the UCBC will be upcoming. 

A QUIRKY THRIFT STORE FIND

        WELL ~ THIS WAS AN APPROPRIATE FIND!

Thrifting is becoming a hobby for me. I used to collect antiques, until I became one!  Now, it's more the "hunt" I like, in Thrift Stores.  I couldn't resist this mug--even if it never sees coffee--it will grace the windowsill with its presence.
Now, did I find the mug/or did the mug find me?
            http://abirdandabirdie.blogspot.com/

A NIGHT AT OLD TOWN ~~ KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA

           CRUISING THE STREETS OF OLD TOWN

In Old Town,  Hwy. 92 Kissimmee, FL every Saturday night there is a cruise. It's a legal cruise featuring almost 200 cars. Great music of the 50's and 60's is blaring through the speakers. 

We know the words to every song.  We sing along - along with every other "Snowbird" on the street.  I took several pictures, but figure you all know what old cars look like.  Of course, my favorites are the VW bugs!  Having had a VW Bug, VW van, VW Rabbit and currently a VW Beetle, you could say I have an infinity for Volkswagons.

Andrea poses with the resident pirate.  The firey car, on a pedestal, is at the grill and pub appropriately labeled, KOOL KATZ--where we feasted on delicious sandwiches.

Bill poses with a ghoul from the local Haunted House.  Oh, and Marilyn is still trying to hold her skirt down/like she really wanted to!

A fun place to relax and take you back in time.

EARTH DAY 2010

               40TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY

LA CASA DEL SOL

WHERE WE WILL BE SPENDING WINTERS ~ IN FLORIDA

LA CASA DEL SOL

The clubhouse, the inside, the library, the pool, the pond near the clubhouse; the beautiful lily pads in the pond.

THE COTTAGES
Our place is comfy and "shaping" up.  I'm still in the process of making it shabby chic/eclectic.  Come in and sit down, look around at where we live.

Our hats grace the wall in the hall.  While a geeko climbs the wall in the living room.

Our airy screen porch is the length of the cottage. 
A quiet place to read, watch TV, ponder over a puzzle, play games on the large round table; dine "outside" yet "inside."   
A room in the back convienent for storage.

The cottages are basically the same in shape, size and color.  Situated amongst a forest of trees, the cottage occupants can garden as they wish. Evidenced by the beautiful rose garden in front of one cottage, the Floridian grass and plants in front of another cottage and on the side of a cottage, the wonderful vegetable garden.  Maintenance comes around to cut the grass if you don't.  The park is well-kept, yet spilling over with nature ** which makes it very inviting and lends to that "homey" feeling.  

(Oh, that's Bill, our neighbor, cutting the grass - not maintenance.  Although the maintenance guys around here are super!)

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!