A Little Wave Action

1/18-1/21/2014

If you recall we arrived back to Milton Florida on the 14^th.  The weather was still being stubborn, well for here that is, and not getting warm. So Mary Ann asked if we wanted to head to the beach. I think it took Steve all of a nanosecond to say yes!

So we packed some clothes, food, fishing gear and the dogs and headed to Perdido Key (part of Pensacola) for beach and maybe sun!  John’s brother and his wife have a condominium there which was available for us to use.

We arrived and unpacked. It didn’t take John and Steve long to get to the beach and set up for some fishing. They were both hoping for a few bites at their bait. When I got down there to check it out and maybe fish too, the fish had other ideas. So I took some pictures and then headed back in. It was a bit cool by the water.

John and Steve Setting Up

Smiling even though the fish are not biting

 

The dogs were wanting an adventure themselves so Mary Ann and I loaded them up in the car and headed to the dog beach for a swim and then a walk.  We figured the walk would dry their coats so we wouldn’t enjoy the wet dog smell in the car!

John tried his hand at fishing a couple more days, but the fish seemed pretty determined to stay out and snub their little mouths at him. At least he conserved bait!

The more the merrier

 

Steve and I headed to the golf course instead of hoping fish would be nice to us and let us reel them in. The course was very nice, challenging with narrow fairways and huge bunkers. Let’s just say I might need to buy more golf balls sooner rather than later!

Woohoo didn't lose this one

Going for it

 

Mary Ann and I headed for a walk on the beach one afternoon. We headed toward Alabama and managed to walk all the way there! I can add another state to our journey! 

We had a great time and enjoyed the location immensely and the condo. It is quite beautiful and large. The dogs didn’t seem to mind it either, even though they couldn’t go on the beach. Well at least not when people were looking!

Can we go to the beach?

Smokey keeping an eye on Mary Ann

Lily wishing we would be quiet

 

I’ll end this portion of our journey with a gorgeous sunset from the balcony. The cooler weather was quickly forgotten when this became our backdrop!

More from the swamp to come!

Happy New Year from SIT!

December 28, 2013 – January 14,2014

Where’s Waldo these days? Well I don’t know about Waldo but I can tell you about SIT.

We arrived at our friends’ place on Friday afternoon. John and Mary Ann live near the town of Milton in the Florida panhandle. They refer to their winter getaway as the “Swamp.”

The weather has still not developed to the warmth that we were hoping for but that’s alright since John decided he needed to make some charcoal. I volunteered to be the official charcoal monitor since he had to go do some things. He gave me the basic Charcoal Making Class for Beginners and I was set.

Getting Ready to Tutor Tory

Conferencing

 

On Watch

The Art of Charcoal Making

 

I had to take my job seriously since I was going to be graded on the outcome. I didn’t mind since it allowed me to stay warm beside the fire.

We spent a few days with John and Mary Ann before we headed to the airport to head back to the west for Dustin’s wedding. Dustin is Steve’s sisters’ oldest child and decided to get married in January in Tigard.

Dustin and Traci

Izzy would have to stay behind but I am pretty sure she isn’t pouting since she gets to hang out with Lily and Smokey and some neighborhood friends. She also can go running and swimming.

Izzy and Lily

Izzy and Smokey

 

It was good to be back and get a chance to catch up with friends and family. I was even able to celebrate one of my best friends’ retirement (Debbie) with her husband (Greg), and daughter-in-law (Megan) We had a great time and great dinner.

We are looking forward to spending a couple more weeks with John and Mary Ann and then will wander around Florida for the rest of the winter. Before we hit the road again we will get the Szymoniak Swamp Tour which Izzy will be able to go on (since she couldn’t go on the last one). She does love boats!

Our Digs

We will also get some fishing in and golfing if the weather decides to help us out. I still can’t complain one bit though as we’re not shoveling snow or dealing with ice like so many others have been.

We hope your new year has started off with great health and you are able to take an adventure yourselves. If not we will try and entertain you throughout the year! More to come!!