Merry Christmas - 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Wanted to share the weather we are enjoying on Christmas Eve Day. The stockings are hung on the stable doors for the horses to explore. The lights are glowing as Christmas Eve approaches. We are thinking of all our family and friends that are experiencing lots of snow back home for this time of the year. We send this warm Holiday Greeting to everyone.

Florida Sunsets

Our stay at Treasure Island Beach Resort gave us the opportunity to enjoy the sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. We took many different photos, however, wanted to share what we feel are the best ones each evening during our stay, December 13 - 19. By the way, the weather was terrific.

Footprints in the Sand

We found the foot prints left in the sand by humans to be most interesting and different. The first photo is actually our foot prints as we started our walk on the beach. Sort of reminds us of the foot prints of the astronauts as they landed on the moon. There are small barefoot prints and foot prints of people walking in all directions. There are foot prints of many different styles of foot wear worn on the beach. Some here show tennis shoes, sandals, loafers, flip flops, Crocs, and even high heels. You see where people are going in different directions. Some are made while walking, some running, some in a hurry and some on a leisure stroll. All are made while enjoying the beach.

Tracks in the Sand

While walking the beach of Treasure Island, we began to notice the many different tracks left on the freshly worked sand. This series of photos depict tracks made by water fowl, animals, equipment and Mother Nature. We found these very interesting, unique and some times confusing as to what made them. The first tire track is from the police car of the Treasure Island Police as they routinely check the beach. This is much appreciated and a great service. The second tire track is from some of the many bicycles that people use while traversing the beach on a beautiful day. The second to last photo was one of the more intriguing as we tried to figure out what would make this type of track. As we returned to the resort from our walk on the beach one evening we found the answer to our question. People will drag a lounge chair from the pool area and take it to the beach for the day. They drag it leaving a trail of two rails behind them. The tracks made by Mother Nature are of course the most natural and beautiful. The last photo shows that all tracks have to get along together in this world we love to enjoy. As the tide returns during the evening hours, these tracks are erased and new ones will be created tomorrow.

Relaxing at Treasure Island

Again this year we are enjoying some time at the Treasure Island Beach Club. We walk the beach each day to soak up the warm sun and look for special shells. We wondered if the couple paddling their boards in the Gulf Water was a result of the falling economy in the country or just a way for them to save costs of having a good time. We walked to the Intracoastal Waterway to watch the annual Christmas lighted boat parade. There were fewer number of boats than last year, but still a fun parade. They start at the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club and turn around at the causeway bridge that we were located at. As we watch the weather in Iowa, we know why we come to Florida for the winter. The colorful kites and vegetation are abundant and fun to observe. Specific areas of the beach are planted with sea oats and trees to help in the control of beach erosion during severe weather conditions. They monitor these areas so people do not walk on them and disrupt this growth. We wish all our friends and family could be here to enjoy it with us.

On Our Way to Florida

We began our way south to Florida for the winter months. We were fortunate to have beautiful fall weather with great sunsets and brilliant fall colors. We enjoyed visiting our daughter, Ashley, near Indianapolis. She took us out for supper at the Copper Kettle, which was decorated for Halloween. We parked where Ashley lives and enjoyed visiting her for several days. Ashley is in the food distribution business and enjoys her job there. We arrived in Florida just in time to relax for two weeks at the Lehigh Acres Resort. We have made numerous friends at the resort and like to get together with them during our stay. The flowers are always so pretty this time of year. Of course, November brings Thanksgiving and Jo prepared a feast for us all to enjoy. The weather on Thanksgiving day was fantastic as you can see from the photo showing our motor home parked for the winter at our friends. We have such a wonderful time staying with Tom, Denise, Lillie the cat, and the horses at their home in Florida. We have so much to be thankful for.