Wekiwa Springs State Park

Today we left resort and theme park Florida and spent some time in one of the central Florida state parks.  Temps were in the high 80s so this shaded park was welcome.  Wekiwa Springs stays at a constant temperature of 72 degrees and a century ago the water was thought to be therapeutic.  Today people were enjoying swimming, snorkeling and boating in it.

Palm fronds

Boardwalk through the scenic forest

Pool day

Before putting Jenni and Will on a plane back to Virginia, we spent some time at the pool this morning.......

Will's good buddy Keelyn

Will and his mommy

Will and the cousins who were in Florida with him.

Kylie, Keelyn and Ella

Lego land

Lego land is a brand new theme park adjacent to Cypress Gardens near Winter Haven.  Will is an avid Lego-assembler so he was having a great time today.  Another beautiful day in bright Florida sunshine........ho hum.

Washington, DC in Legos.

Me and the old man.......

On the pond

Our window overlooks a large pond surrounded by a golf course.  When here (not very often) we watch golfers lose their balls in the water.  Also watching is an egret and a great blue heron.  Jim caught them with his camera (Ella with her phone.)

Madame Egret is camera-shy and runs away.

The heron stays around to give us some good photos......

"How do you like my profile?"

Sunday in Florida

First of all, the weather is GORGEOUS here....San Diego-type weather in the low 80s and clear with no humidity.  I spent some time out with my camera, then welcomed Jenni's friends the Wolcotts who live in Florida to join us for the afternoon and dinner.  We all gathered around the pool......7 adults and 6 children and had a great time.

Not sure what this is, but it is plentiful and grows on bushes.

Kudzu...saw a lot of this near Savannah last year.  It looks nice in pots around plants.

Jeremy (Jenni's adult friend) taught the kids that these little lizards they like to catch attach to ears (by biting).....such a fun and painful past time....Ella volunteered.  Think we promised her money.

Pyramid

Ella, Will, Bailey, Adam, Kylie and Keelyn

Welcome to Florida

Love this welcome center best of any we have been to...friendly people and free OJ and grapefruit juice for us travelers.

OK, camera....what did you focus on?  The sign?  Certainly not Jim......

In South Carolina

On our way to Orlando for a week, we are staying tonight in Florence, SC where these beautiful azaleas bloom outside our hotel.

Fogged in....still

We have a new bridge replacing the old, disabled Indian River Bridge span.  We have watched the project progress (or not ) for more than a year.  Unfortunately, you will have to take my word for it as today it is fogged in.....again.  But it is a beautiful suspension bridge.

Indian River Bridge

Top of the morning......

Irish Soda Bread......full of raisins, buttermilk and of course, baking soda.....and best warm from the oven.

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY!

Moving sand, etc.......

Our beach has been long and lovely all winter due to recent beach replenishment.  Now some of this sand is being moved to restore the height  of our dunes, just in time for volunteers to come in and plant new dune grass.

Hyacinths are in full bloom.

Kylie made Kent Island HS varsity LAX as one of their goalies!

Fog in Lewes

No longer pink

No longer pink, our spare bedroom is now green, sophisticated and mermaid-friendly.  It is a work in progress.  Looking for another mirror in area thrift stores, and going to the framer's today to mount some of the maps I have saved and a picture Ella made for me of fishes.   It is developing its own personality and I am following along.

The focal point is the mermaid David made for me....love it!

Spring gardening

Last week gave us two nice warm days to prepare and plant our spring garden.  I tossed all our compost and a bag of blood meal on it and after two days of rain, it was ready to plant.  Jim did all the hard work of  turning it over by hand, raking it, and then planting our first veggies.

Garlic, broccoli, lettuce and rosemary