The Beach

We have been enjoying the beaches. The water is to cold to swim in but we can still walk the beach and look for shells. Here are a few photos. The sunsets are beautiful. These are from Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach and Sunset Beach up by Tarpon Springs.

Is Busch Gardens worth $152 as you walk in the door?

Can any of my blog readers convince us that Busch Gardens in FL is worth $152?  This is the cost of two tickets  and parking. Add on food and we are easily at $200.  

Bob and I remember being their as kids in the 1960’s.  Now it is much different.  Lots of fast moving rides and we both get motion sick watching the tilt a whirl.    I think memories would serve us better then visiting again.   Just not worth it .  

 Of course Bob and I might still be burned out from the 20+ tourist attractions that we saw last winter.  

So instead, we are going to explore some new beaches  that were not on  our list.   I met my friend LaRee today and she suggested a couple beaches we did not know about.   It was about 65 today but tomorrow should be warmer so stay tuned for beach not Busch!

P.S.   I got a new cable so I can download photos from the camera to my computer!

Clearwater FL Highlights

Feb. 12 we packed up the car and Tanya and started the 10 hr. drive to Clearwater FL.   Much easier then the 24 hr drive we made last year from MN to Orlando.  Although we could have made it in one day we decided to make it easy on ouself and drove about 7 hours the first day.  We expected our GPS to route us through Atlanta but were pleasantly surprised when we made the journey around Atlanta on four lane highway with very little traffic through the rolling hills of GA.  I felt like we got to see much more of the real GA then what you see along the main freeway. 

Weather has been just a little to cool to sun on the beach (in the mid to upper 60’s) but great for sightseeing.   My friend Sara and her friend Elizabeth came for 4 nights.   They rented their own car so we had a good combination of together time and apart time.

We are staying in what could best be described as a two bedroom plus bonus room in an 8 unit complex.   The inside has been recently redone and is nice but the ammenities outside leave a bit to be desired.  No grill, hot tub is broke and not really a good place to eat outside but Tanya could come and for some reason she loves the place.  We really have to watch her when we are outside because she is really exploring.   It is in a residential area which is quiet and peaceful, much better then being sandwiched in amoung the big buildings on the beach.   We are only 10 minutes from the beach.  We do have the use of a pool at one of their other properties but have not checked that out yet.  The neighbors are longer term stays like us and nice and quiet.   So far we have seen a cute little dog and one of the people has a small cat.  Best of all, it is centrally located so about 30 minutes from more beaches, Tarpon Springs, St. Petersburg and Tampa.

More info will follow on these adventures:

We have been twice to a beautiful little town called Tarpon Springs which is an Greek village.  Excellent food and took a trip on the boat out into the inlet.

Been to 4 beaches and soon will be going to CALADESI ISLAND  beach, voted best in US in 2008.

Sat. trip with the girls to St. Petersburg to a charming farmers market.  Can’t wait to take Bob back! Best market I have ever been to. Interesting food, great location unique tent shops.   Lots of people with their well behaved dogs from itty bitty ones to  a huge puppy great dane!

St. Petersburg  (30 minutes) to the Dali Museum - WOW!, lunch on the water and trip to St. Petersburg Sunken Garden Park.

Overnight trip to Ft. Myers  (2.5 hours) to visit Bob’s sister Bette and Bob’s MN sister Barb and his mom Helen.  Lots of fun visiting and good food.  We are so glad Helen decided to make the trip.  

Vist to Sarasoga (1.5 hours) to the Ringling Brothers Circus Museums and house and art museum.   WOW and WOW again.  We could have easily spent another day there.  It is really four activities for one ticket. 

After taking the docent tours at Dali and Ringling museum Bob and I are realizing that we are more interested in art then we thought.   Having someone explain what you are seeing really helps.

And that brings us to this weekend.   On Friday we drove to Lakeland FL to attend the wedding on Saturday of Jeremy, son of our friend Greg.  Greg and his wife live in Naples and this is where Bob went gator hunting.    The wedding was outside and the day was beautiful.    We are godparents to Jeremy’s sister Amanda so have know him since he was born.   I expect that Bob and I knew more people at the wedding then anyone.  We had a great time.

Bob continues to work for ING while he is in FL and I can do my website updates. 

Now you have a quick update of what we have been doing and maybe you can see why I haven’t had time to blog!    Cross your fingers that we can find the cable to connect my camera to my PC!

I’m Back!

Where has Fay been the last 6 weeks?   I guess the answer is busy!   Here are a few quick updates.  We are half way through our month in Clearwater Fl.   I forgot the connection cord to download my photos to my computer but tomorrow we will shop for a new one so hopefully photos of our adventures will come soon.

Bob’s stepdad Ed passed away at the end of Jan. so we made a quick trip home for a week to help Helen.  He had been ill with cancer so not a big shock but still you never expect it when it comes.  She seems to be doing very well.

I was home for a few days after the funeral and then got news that my friend Lyn in Charleston SC (4 hours away) was having her back surgery moved up and needed some help so I went there for 4 days.

I retuned and the next day packed for our month long trip to FL.

Inbetween that we have been shopping for furniture (got a new recliner couch and loveseat) and think we will be getting a Comfortair bed (like a Sleep Number bed) when we get home.  Finally got the new bedspread for our bedroom.   Also still working on finishing off the lower level.

That’s all for now.