Mar 29th - May 8th, 2012 Florida

Settled into our spot at Far Horizons and we both commented "that it felt like coming home". Glad to be at the beach and not living out of a suitcase. We had dinner with Ivan and Dianne at Sesto's the night before Bernie went to Daytona for his week of golf with the boys. He drove to Daytona on Friday the 30th and had a great week golfing, deep sea fishing and seeing a 1500 antique car show at the Daytona raceway. He and Donnie drove back on Sat the 7th after dropping Paul and Boyd at the airport in Orlando. Paul was meeting Judy's flight and they are spending a week tooting around Florida. Karen drove from Anna Marie Island to pick up Donnie. I spent the week at the beach relaxing, reading, girls time with Jeannie and Marianne, shopping, swimming, and moving from #10 to #24 to #25. Not a lot of work, just sounds like it. We had a great month on North Redington Beach - weather was perfect, warm and not much rain. The regular crew was around the area - Beth, Pete, Marlene, Joe, Jeannie, Maryanne, Mark, Dianne, Ivan, Ginny, and Eugene. We had visit from Paul and Judy for a few days and one highlight was a visit to Petey-Joe's outdoor restaurant. Spend a lot of time on beach, a walk every morning, people over for supper, visit to Bonita Spring to visit Steve and Denyse, overnight with Donnie and Karen and supper with Barry and Wendy on Anna Marie Island, cruise on Inland waterway with VanVulpen-Esterbrook crew, dinners out at Friendly's Tavern, PJ's, Hooter's, Seabreeze musical tribute night at Mafetty Centre for the Carpenters, MainSail Art show at St. Petersburg waterfront, visit to Rainbow's End quilt shop,antique car shows, and some shopping. We headed north on April 28th, Saturday with a stop at Ashville for a night to visit the Biltmore Estate which was well worth the stop. Travelled on to Lexington, Kentucky where we spent 2 days touring horse farms, Bourbon distillery and the beautiful landscape. Then the bucket list event - the Derby. Wonderful three days in Lousiville enjoying a walking city tour, parade, riverboat race, local fair, The Oaks (female jockey Rosie won the big race) and The Derby (I'll Have Another big winner - Greg's bet and Canadian connections with owner and jockey). The MacLeods and we left within an hour of each other on our way home, drove for 2 days and ended up being 3 miles apart near Bangor at the end of second day. Another great southern holiday.

Mar 17th - Mar 28th, 2012 Spring trip south

On the road again for a two month get-a-way from the not so nice season in the north. Stopped for an overnight visit in Bath with Grammie and the Brennan clan. Managed to take in 2 hockey games before we crossed the border on the 18th. Our suitcase of "winter clothes" for a few days was not needed as the weather hit the high 20's by the time we were in Bangor. Good trip south on the 95, via NJ for a visit with Steve and Mary Lockhart. The cherry blossoms and dogwoods are all out in blossom and the forsythia is just popping. Down the 78 and 81 where we ran into a huge thunderstorm with rain and hail. Had to pull off the highway for 45min as we couldn't see to drive. Then on down the 77 and overnighted. For our lunches we have had picnics of PB and crackers, fruit and cookie. At supper time we have finally started to split one meal and have a salad on the side as the meals are sooooo big. Back on the 77,321 and 95 to Jeryll Island for an overnight. Tried to eat at the Pier restaurant but it was closed as they were filming for a show. (It was closed the last couple of times we had been here for other reasons) Seeing our first palm trees before we cross the state line into Florida.

On the 22th we arrived at The Villages to spend a couple nights with Jane and Garry Stack. Wonderful dinner party with Melanie, Charlie, Brenda, Bob, Garry and Jane. They are Americans and have cottages on the Amherst Shore near Garry and Jane. Our first game of golf with the scores not being too bad but it was hot - 93 F. Of course we did the Town Square evening visit, shopping and supper. The music was playing, people dancing, mini cooper car show, the weather perfect and company great.

The rest of our days until we arrived at Far Horizons were filled with driving and other things. After searching for 2 hours for a hotel near Sarasota we found one in Arcada(still March break, car show, soccer tournament and airshow). Then we backtracked and did a tour of the Ringling Museums and estate near Bradenton.Had an overnight at Punta Gorda and dinner and shopping at Fisherman's Pier; a two night visit on Marco Island with Marian and Alan Alexander; the Outlet Stores at Ellington; scouted out a few campgrounds; a visit to Siesta Key. We arrived at our spot on the beach on Wed afternoon and it kind of felt like coming home. Have not found anything better. Small, clean and right on the beach. Life is good

Mar 08, 2012 Monday

In Stratford, PEI visiting Mom and Leslie for a few days. We leave in 9 days for a few weeks down south.
Looking forward to the warm weather