Florida Week 3 - Caleb visit Day 1

Well Caleb made the last flight out of Albany before the storm hit.  He got in an hour late and we got back to the camper just after midnight.

In the morning we head into St. Augustine to meet up with Gary's daughter and grandson.  We head out to St. Augustine Old Town

The boys haven't seen each other in a few years so they have

some catching up to do

 The Fort is closed due to the government shutdown but we walk over to check out the grounds

 The wind is blowing pretty good so it's a bit chilly though 

Caleb thinks it's just fine.

 We head over to Old Town hoping for a little protection from the wind and check out the shops

and always interesting pet and people watching

 

All followed by a nice Dinner at Salt Life Restaurant

 Then on to the Circus!

A very intimate Venue

 The acts were impressive for such a small troupe

A fun filled first day!

Florida - Week 3

Week 2 was a bust as Gary came down with a bug. 

He finally got better and we went out for a bike ride on the trail along US 1 near Palm Coast

A nice level and wide path

and several wooden bridges

We even passed a couple of Sand Hill Cranes

Gary had his Tucson on
 

Gary's grandson Caleb is due in late Saturday.  His daughter and other grandson Eli came down from Alabama to join in on the fun.

Florida - Trip to Blue Springs State Park

A group of 10 of us ventured down to the Blue Spring State Park to see the Manatees that winter there.

 Gary is enjoying it

 We spot our first Manatee

 They winter in the springs because they cannot tolerate water colder than 68 degrees for long periods, the temperature here is a constant 73 degrees

 The one has propeller marks on its back.  There were 804 deaths in Florida waters almost reaching the record of 830 in 2013.  Major killers are cold, boat accidents and red tide.

 There is a nice raised boardwalk along the river offering lots of view points

A cormorant drying it's wings

 We turn and go the other way and find a lot more Manatees

 There is a slight breeze so the surface of the water is not very clear

They are large animals are 10-12 feet long weighing from 882lbs to 1,210 lbs.  Newborns are 66 lbs on average

Even the cormorants enjoy watching them

This beautiful Great Blue Heron flew in to check out the fishing

The Manatees are herbivores so there are plenty of fish around

The St. John River is their way in

It was a really nice way to spend the day.  Afterwards to went to dinner at Fire on the Bayou in Orange City

I had the McFish Sandwich

 and Gary had the Bayou Burger

Good food, good friends and a good day

Florida - 1st Week January

Can't believe another year has bit the dust!

Lay low the first couple days and then meet up with our friend Jean and her sister-in-law Marsh at Flagler Beach for lunch at the Funky Pelican

 It was nice enough to sit outside

Gary had the fish sandwich

 I had the grouper and shrimp

 the view was quite nice too

 Saturday we met up at the St. Augustine Farmer's Market.  Jean's neighbor was playing at the deck so we stopped and listened for awhile

 Jean's granddaughter was able to join us for a bit.  It was a bit chilly so Gary got to try out his Tucson poncho.  Won't be losing him in the market!

 Lots of interesting stuff

 Afterwards we went out for fish tacos

 I joined Jean and Marsha at the St. Augustine Church for a celebration of the Ephiphany.  It is a beautiful Church.  Gary s stayed home as he was feeling under the weather.

 Back home and back to work.  A nice sunset for us.