Are we there yet?
Category Archives: USA
Destin
Two nights in Destin en route to Pensacola and our first dinner out! Trip advisor pointed us in the right direction yet again … Graffiti & The Funky Blues Shack, where we had wonderful meals (grouper for me and bacon-wrapped buffalo meatloaf for Dennis). Loved it there.
Documenting the Feb 2013 blizzard
The warnings started in earnest on Thursday that two weather systems (one from the south the other from the west) would be colliding somewhere around Boston and would create blizzard conditions for the northeastern U.S.
Friday – the calm before the storm and an opportunity to take Lucy for a walk down Robbins Road on a light coat of fresh snow.
The real snow was to start on Friday night into Saturday morning .. and it did!
Lucy was totally confused when none of the doors on the main level could be opened! but luckily there was only about 8″ of snow under the deck (from the basement door) and then someone kindly made a little tunnel for her.
A little sustenance was needed after all the snowing and blowing. Aah! a pot of black bean soup with odds and ends from the refrigerator!
And it continued coming down and blowing around until about 5 p.m.
Sunday morning brought a gloriously blue sky, a light breeze, and sunshine that created a myriad of crystals on the snow. Out with the shovels ..
And a little grooming ..
We’re all shoveled out, so off down town to see how it looks there.
Hastings-on-Hudson and NYC
We had a lovely couple of days with Agnita, Henk, Lucca, and Julia at their new home in Hastings-on-Hudson, a lovely little town within sight of Manhattan.
We spent all day Friday in Manhattan, visiting their new office space on 5th Avenue, no less! Going to the Rockerfeller Center, the impressive 911 Memorial, and the High Line.
Aboard the Bounty
Aboard the Bounty, where Marlon Brando and Johnny Depp once were, for a fun evening with friends and a terrific local blues band….
H.M.S. Bounty sailed into Belfast
As part of a tour of the New England coast, the H.M.S. Bounty arrived in Belfast yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn’t see her arrive under sail, but Dennis and I took a walk into town yesterday evening where she was docked, and bathed in the beautiful golden light of early evening. It will be here through the weekend, and we’re looking forward to attending a cocktail party with music and a tour on Saturday evening.
Nothing to do with the “Bounty”, but it is nautical! I shot this picture yesterday evening and love it…
Dogwood
The garden is starting to look more and more beautiful – photos soon, but while sitting on the side porch with a cup of coffee, I couldn’t resist snapping my dogwood. I am so thrilled to finally have one that is producing blossoms.
A new eatery discovered in Charlotte, NC
A colourful and very casual eatery called Phat Burrito caught my attention. We stopped in and were able to have Lucy accompany us on the patio . One orders at a counter and they serve you – all very casual, but d-e-l-c-i-o-u-s! I didn’t even make a dent in my salad and have plenty for lunch tomorrow. Unfortunately the battery in my phone died, so no pics.
Charlotte looks interesting – maybe warranting a 2-night stay next time through.
Fried Green Tomatoes
When in the south, go to one of your favorite restaurants, in one of your favorite towns (Fernandina Beach), and have a scrumptious fried green tomato sandwich – just for you, Sandy!
!
All good things come to an end
Our last port of call was Cozumel, and I was as disenchanted with it this time (third time around) as before. Oh well!
A few pics of the gang before we all went our separate ways and who knows when we’ll all be together again. It was fun!
Tampa – March 24, 2012
The gang congregated pre-cruise along with Wanda and Bob for dinner at Outback in Tampa.
The fun started on Friday
June & Sid arrived from the UK on Thursday evening; Betty, Marilyn & Dave on Friday
; Moira & ray on Saturday ……..
A day in Winter Park, FL
A good day! I got my long awaited iPhone!!!
The drive between Tampa and Winter Park was not pleasant, with stop and go traffic for about 30 miles by Orlando, but we wanted to go and see the Winter Park Arts Festival where Lorraine and Gene were taking part. There were 250 or so artists and many food vendors; even though a high-end show, I was not overly impressed. Most of the artwork was very suited to Florida and just more over the top than I like.
Anyway, the best was to come. After the show, the four of us went to the Winter Park Fish Company for dinner. A terrific little place with deliciously fresh fish, blue moon beer on draft, and a great atmosphere! The drive home was better!
Another hot one today, at the fitness centre catching up on wifi and in a/c.