Ships

In Brunswick we went to the pier and saw all the ships and sailboats.  It is incredible how much money people spend on their toys. 

In order to get the entire boat in the photo, I had to back up quite a bit and then Pat looks so tiny.  There is a SeaDoo on the top deck in the back of that monstrosity.  There's a lot of moolah sitting there. 

I do not know what it would be like to have this kind of extra money.  Of course, perhaps there are debts attached to some of these vessels.  I don't like the water enough to have a boat.

It was a beautifully, peaceful evening. 

 

Brunswick, Georgia

After driving across Florida we settled for the General Conference weekend in Brunswick, Georgia.  

We were intrigued by whatever hangs from the trees.  We found out later that it is Spanish Moss and it is filled with chiggers.  Chiggers are otherwise the same thing as bedbugs.  It's a strange look but very interesting.

This palm tree was in the courtyard of our Air bnb.  Again I am surprised at how firm the fronds are.

The outside entrance of our bnb.  We had the entire upstairs apartment.  

It was cozy.  Nothing too fancy, but nice.

The living/bedroom area was all one.  But then, why would we need them separate?

On Sunday between sessions of conference, we went for a walk.  Here was another tree filled with Spanish moss. 

On Monday morning before we left the area, we went to breakfast at Jekyll beach.  We sat outside as the restaurant was small.  But, it was quite chilly outside and we weren't sitting in the sun.

We walked out onto the beach and the view was just beautiful.  I understand why people live on the ocean.

As we drove around the island we stopped at Driftwood Beach.  We didn't know why it was called that, but once you walk out of the path and see the beach it immediately becomes obvious.

I love the thought of seeing sand and beach as far as the eye can see. 

I took this picture just because it is a house that needs paint in a bad way.  I sent it to Jared and told him I had a project for he and I.  He loves old houses and said he could do wonders with it.  I believe him.

More of driftwood beach.  There were also a lot of rocks on this portion of the beach.  So many shells were attached to the rocks.  Perhaps when the tide come in so do the critters that live in shells?

We stopped for a selfie with the driftwood in the background.

Traveling North

On Saturday, April 3rd, we headed north across the interior of Florida.  That's a place neither of us has ever been before.  

While driving across Florida we saw orange groves.  Most of them were empty as it was orange picking season.

We stopped and took a picture of the trees with oranges on them.  Unfortunately, we didn't get to pick any.  I would've loved to pick one off of a tree and try it.

We saw bridges once we crossed over into Georgia.  There were many bridges that looked exactly alike.  

They surely look different from the side and from the oncoming view.

This is a part of the country we have never seen before and we surely enjoyed it.  I was surprised how much of this part of the country looks so much like home.  Trees and green grass.  The only thing different is the weather and the changing seasons.

 

Alligators

Each morning we got up before Dennis and Phyllis and went out for a walk.  On our second morning, we spied an alligator in the water.  Last time we went we didn't get to see one.

Then we saw one swimming through the channel behind their home.  I'm not certain that I would like alligators in my back yard.  I guess that's why everyone has a screened in area where their pool is. 

I don't know how large this guy was, but it was certain I wasn't going to try to find out.

The first one we saw watched us for quite some time and then changed positions to look directly at us.  

We never did get any kind of idea how large this one was as all we ever saw was the head. Alligator seen in the wild?  Check!
 

Beach, Boating and Diving

While spending almost a week in Florida we had multiple times (daily) of beach-going. 

Pat found a sea urchin while diving.  He picked it up with a shell as it was prickly.

We had to have a new pic of the two of us on the beach.  This day was the coolest of all the days.  I didn't even get into my swimsuit as I knew I wouldn't go into the water.  I buried my feet in the sand as the tops of them were a bit sunburned from the day before.

Dennis got us out on a boat on Thursday and some of the sights were interesting.  

I thought about Salty Sam from Sunset by the Mississippi.  Poor sweet Sue.

Watching and listening to the waves roll in has always been super relaxing for me.  

This guy came home with a really good tan.  He spent a lot of time diving with the snorkel so his back got a little red.  Clare remarked how dark he was when she saw him after we got back.

One day was spent diving for sand dollars.  I wanted enough to create some Christmas ornaments for my family.  Dennis kept a few but I took most of them home.  They went back to that same beach to search for more but found none.  We must have been there during a specific time when they were plentiful.

I liked this boat with a slide.  I could see some of our grandchildren having a great time with that!

I'm amazed at some of the homes along the water.  Very expensive and all of the living space is above the first floor due to hurricanes.  

This is the very new/nice boat we went out on.  

 

Florida with the Allsops

What to do when you arrive in Florida is never a question.  Go to the beach!  We went to the beach every single day we were there and it was heavenly.

I met this guy as he walked up to our spot on the sand.  He was very curious and tried to find some food.  It didn't like what we had but came close enough to take things out of our hands.

The water always surprises both of us with the saltiness of it.  Still, what a nice temperature both in and out of the water.

Pat was feeling the sandy bottom with his feet and was finding sand dollars.  Then he pulled up this creature.  It is a 9-legged sea star.  I found one too.

We shopped for some reason I don't recall and I saw this lady come in and again when she was leaving.  He skin was like tanned leather.  She is a "white" woman who has seen too much sun for too many days/weeks/years in a row.

I told you that this guy came in close.  

There is just something so relaxing about sitting together with good friends on the beach.  No children to watch, no worries in the world.  Dennis and Phyllis have been such wonderful friends for more years than I know.  We always pick things up right where we put them down and we are grateful for their love and hospitality.
 

Traveling South

On March 27th, we took a road trip to Galesburg, IL to celebrate Larry and Rhonda Brady's 50th wedding anniversary.  We surprised them by showing up which was our intention.  It was strange to be so close to Nauvoo and not be going there. After a light meal and hugs all around and some visiting we headed south.  As we drove through Peoria there was a remembrance of having served some of our missionaries by bringing them to the hospital there.  

We spent the night in a hotel in Springfield.  Another place we had visited while serving our mission.  The next morning, a Sunday, we were on the road and thankful for virtual church as we were able to listen in to our Sacrament service in Gresham via the phone.

We traveled all day going through Kentucky, Tennessee and finally to Georgia where we spent the night.  It was fun to see the foliage and flowers that were beginning to bloom as we traveled south.

I was unimpressed with the motel we stayed at in Georgia but I was glad to be on the road to Florida in the morning.

The trip was kind of like watching Spring unfold before my eyes.  Each state south was more in bloom that the last.

Back home there was nothing happening as far as Spring goes.  Except that the snow had melted.  I found myself turning the heating dial lower and lower and finally turning on the air conditioning.  I looked at the thermometer to see 91 degrees.  It was hot!

We arrived in Bonita Springs by early afternoon.  It was so good to see Dennis and Phyllis and to feel of their hospitality once again.  It was even better to be in the warm weather with the palm trees and the hibiscus blooming.