MARCO ISLAND, FLORIDA

"Vacation" is a state of mind. 

I can be on vacation sitting at the pool, riding my bike on a trail lined with trees, viewing the sunset, relaxing in my chair while reading a book.  Last week vacation was walking the beach! 

The beach this November, was on

 Marco Island, FL. 

We went with friends, Bill and Andrea, from our park in Florida. We stayed at a condo, on the bay, and by the end of the week we meandered in and out of all the roads available.  

     Very pretty, serene and relaxing place to vacation.

My favorite place was the beach/it was clean; this is the only picture I took with Marco Island on it. 

The luggage carts seemed to disappear when we arrived ~ so this shopping cart came in handy transporting a weeks worth of "stuff" up to the 4th floor.  Not fancy ~ but utilitarian, for sure. 

Bill ~ Andrea ~ Nancy ~ Joe
On a dolphin cruise, off Marco Island.

Coming up to beach, on one of the 10,000 islands around Marco Island, this unusual building is seen in the distance.  It looks like it's "hanging" on - ready to topple with the next large wave. 

In the 1970's an architect built a series of round homes, on stilts, on one of the 10,000 islands, near Marco Island.  His plan was to be self-sufficient and have others of like "mind" live in his small commune.  

His plan seemed feasible.  The water proved him wrong.  His over 100 feet of beachfront eroded and some of his homes toppled into the sea.  Left were these few, which were later condemned. 

Teenagers frequent the small island, to party.  It has become a challenge to throw seashells into the roof.  The roof material is soft and thrown the right way the shells stick into it.  Seemed to me to be a very decorative part of the houses.  He did have a vision though, as many homes we saw by the water in Texas, were built with round roofs, enabling the winds and storms to pass over them. 

I would've liked to have had a chance to live on that island!  At least I had the chance to see it! 

Every island was beautiful to come upon.  Mangrove trees fill all of the islands.  Skunks, raccoons, snakes, birds, panthers, bobcats and who knows what else, call the islands home. 

Red and white mangrove trees/shrubs cover the islands.  A multitude of the seeds were on the beaches everywhere.  The seeds are long and easily stick into the sand and start growing. We saw some on Marco Island, in the more remote areas.  People, of course, keep the mangroves under control in the populated regions. 

Ospreys can be seen everywhere!

It was a dolphin cruise ~ these three dolphins swam around the boat, putting on a show for us.
Dolphins are friendly and playful.

There's Joe, in the shade, enjoying the ride. 

Chicken salad stuffed tomato ~ a yummy lunch! 

Looking down the beach that I walked for miles. 

Birds and seashells with every step!  Heaven...

Great lunches were had at Stilts!  Coconut shrimp, chicken strips, pineapple/chicken quesadillas...

Signs, signs, everywhere there're signs! 

Looking up the beach that I walked on for miles.
If I ran the world ~~ there would be a rule ~~ ABSOLUTELY NO building on the beaches!  The road along the beach would be free of buildings.  ALL people could then enjoy the sights of the beaches, not only those staying in the tall, unsightly hotels and condos.  When were the beaches and the sea declared private?  I thought they were part of nature and for every person to enjoy.
(Our accommodations were not on the beach. We had to seek out a public access to the beach and on Marco Island we could only find two.  The one we went to had parking, the other did not.)
YES, there would be a rule, if I ran the world! 

Water ~ for miles and miles and miles.  The 10,000 islands were wonderful.  They are uninhabited by people, full of wildlife and wild vegetation.  There is an ordinance that no building can take place on any of the islands, except for Marco Island.  

                 

A GLIMPSE OF SUMMER 2011

Josh and Michelle ~ visiting in Missouri

Rare to see a Walking Stick/but this summer I saw two.  One in WI and one in MO.

Derby, Michelle's 2 1/2lb. Chihuahua, spent August and September with us, in WI.  She loved going everywhere we went, especially on bike rides. 

It was hot when I spent time at Michelle's this summer.  Cooling off in the pool was welcome everyday!

Derby, taking a walk, in her "tough" outfit.

Truck Stop Missouri ~ You can watch it on the Travel Channel!  We ate breakfast there a couple of mornings.  They serve very large pancakes and wonderful breakfasts.  The home fries portion was so big three of us could split it!  The TV cameras were not there the days we were/ah, shucks! 

We ate at McDonald's--a regular experience when you have a two year old.  Difference is:  this Mickey D's has a glass ceiling!  Hard to eat when the flags are flying, the birds are perching on the metal connectors and the wind is blowing leaves everywhere. Oh, and there was a waterfall behind our booth!
It fascinated all of us! 

FURNITURE I PAINTED THIS SUMMER

Little blurry- a stool to be able to reach the sink, to brush teeth and learn the letters in his name. 

Doing homework at a pink desk!  What more could a first grader girl ask for?  So easy now, it won't seem like homework.  

A new baby joined the family about a week ago.
The baby shower this summer called for a painted rocking chair.  The book Goodnight Moon, and the little dog peeking at the rocker were wrapped up for the baby gift. Welcome to Baby Emil!

GREAT RIVER ROAD TRIP ~ PICTURES TAKEN ALONG THE WAY

 SUMMER TRIP UP THE     GREAT RIVER ROAD IN    WISCONSIN


My sister, Geri, and I visited several shrines and grottos on our trip.  
This blue "tree" of candles was at one of them.  They raise and lower it mechanically to light the candles.  Amazing!

 We stopped and read every single historical marker along the way.  They are very interesting and bring to "light" the history many nuns had us read about in elementary and middle school.  Visiting the places made it all real.

One priest built an entire grotto with stones, glass pieces, odds and ends from all over the world.  Cement must've been his "friend" for several years!

The Beatitudes in cement. The tree of life made of glass, stones and knick knacks.

A few glass balls were perched on pillars at the entrance.  I'm in this one! 

Each small shrine holds a saint, with The Blessed Virgin watching over the entire area.

Remember Little House on the Prairie?

Inside of Laura Ingalls Wilder childhood home.

THE  Little House on the Prairie.

 In Alma, WI Geri and I stayed at this Bed and Breakfast.  We entered the house and had a sign greet us that said:  Go upstairs, choose a room. Charge for the room is on the back of the door.  Leave money and key on the dresser when you leave.  Enjoy the parlor downstairs and breakfast in the morning.

We choose the Red Room.  This was my bed.  Geri's was a full size antique bed. The room was cozy and full of antiques.  The bathroom was shared by all the rooms.  We were the only guests, so we had it to ourselves.  In the morning we were treated to coffee, toast and homemade marmalade.
An interesting way to run a bed and breakfast.  

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I

GREAT RIVER ROAD TRIP
Last week my sister and I headed to the Southwestern corner of Wisconsin. Starting in Kieler, WI we traveled up the Great River Road. Stopping at every small town and many places along the Mississippi River. The weather cooperated and we had a great time.  

This tugboat was pushing several large barges down the Mississippi River, heading for St. Louis.  We stopped to watch as it went through the locks. Talking to the young man in charge of the ropes and yelling out numbers we learned that WI is the only state along the Mississippi with locks to maneuver through.  It would take this barge about 1 1/2 hours to clear the locks. Must take days to get to Missouri.

Fortunately, there is still transportation movement along the Great Mississippi.  We saw barges, boats, semis and a multitude of trains running up and down on and near the mighty river.   

Double decker trains.  The river ~ the train tracks ~ the Great River Road ~ all next to each other and we were meandering up the road, at our own pace.

Necedah Visitor Center ~ totally operating by solar power and recycled rain water.  I will return to this center in the spring, seeing a small part of it makes me want to return. 

Wisconsin is a beautiful state!
Wandering Wisconsin is fun, informative, friendly, eye-opening and amazing.
Try it ~ live like you mean it!

GO PACK GO!

The shoot that the Green Bay Packers come out of.

Stealth Bomber flies over after singing
The Star Spangled Banner.

The Pack coming out of the shoot, flanked by cheerleaders and flag bearers.

67,000 plus people attended this game.
It was the last pre-season game for the Packers.
Thanks to my God-child, Brenda, we had the opportunity to go to it. Gives a different impression when up close!

A pretty picture!  

Aaron Rodgers - #12 - watching and hanging out. He played, but not the entire game.  We were so close, I watched the guys that were not playing walk around, talking and joking with each other.
Very different view than on TV!

Security was everywhere.

So were cheese heads!
Over 67,000 of them!
The season begins!