Highlights of Our Week's Vacation in Florida

June 29th to July 6th 2009; via Satellite from Florida --

The Grand Mother (aka, First Wife) and Grumpy (aka, Grumpy old man) spent a memorable week here visiting our oldest son One-Eyed Jack (aka, Popeye, Harry, also Son Ward) and his wife Peggie with grandson Joe (the Geek). This post will present photos representing the highlights during our time here.

The Grand Mother chose to fly down here to Florida rather than enjoy the adventure of riding the 3,100 miles in an UNairconditioned pickup, driven by two men who, together could claim three eyes and three ears. But before going to the airport to meet the Grand Mother, Grumpy had to undergo a transformation which would "purify" him from the smell of fishes and other accumulations which seem to thrive on a Grumpy old man who is away for a time from the "civilizing influence" of his First Wife:

Yes, before becoming "suitable" for greeting the Grand Mother, Grumpy had to endure a cold-water torture, administered by a fully-loaded garden hose gleefully aimed by Peggie, in One-Eye's back yard! This short, unedited slide show reveals the truth.

June 29th: The Grand Mother arrives! After her happy, surprised expression in spotting Peggie, she looked Grumpy's way and gave him a big smile. As he drew closer for a welcome kiss, she said, "Pee-yew!! You have a beard!" Grumpy later gave a "lame excuse" about "forgetting his razor" -- it didn't pass muster.

June 30th: Breakfast at the Waffle House! The unique nomenclature for each egg and hash browns combination is half the fun in coming to a Waffle House. Grumpy had his two eggs over easy with "regular hash browns, scattered, smothered, and capped" (spread out with onions and mushrooms).

Early evening, June 30th: The "Trumpet Flower" only blooms at night. This photo was taken in the early evening just as the flower was beginning to open. Grand Mother's hand, holding the flower for better view and size comparison shows how huge this flower is!

July 1st: Old St. Augustine. The day-long walking tour (autos are forbidden!) in Old St. Augustine was made pleasurable by the Grand Mother being saved from the torture of walking by riding in a wheelchair. Grumpy and One-Eyed Jack got their exercise this day by being the motive power. Peggie and her sister, Gwennie, also took turns.

July 2nd: Dining at "Clark's Fish Camp". This was an unforgettable experience, not to be missed!!

July 3rd: A quiet day during which Grumpy was able to update this BLOG as well as finally getting his long-missed afternoon nap!

July 4th: The One-Eyed one fired up the old barbeque and prepared a delicious feast of steaks like the which no one else can fix. Peggie and the Grand Mother slaved away in Peggie's kitchen putting together accompaniments, including Peggie's potato salad, a cucumber and onion salad, and a fresh-fruit salad. The day's eating was topped off with a dessert of hot Apple Crisp served ala mode.

July 5th: One-Eyed Jack took us for a ride in the country to go Alligator hunting. We spotted no Alligators, but we saw some beautiful flowers and one rare, old turtle who obliged by posing for his (her?) portrait. He(she?) is a "Florida Gopher Tortoise", an endangered species of an unusually large size and probably an advanced age (they live 60-100 years!).

July 6th: Our last day in Florida, we did some last-minute shopping for things we might need on our flight back to Seattle (snacks on the airplane, souvenir post cards, etc) and then had an early lunch at "Chick-fil-A", a fast food place that serves real lemonade and where someone comes around near the end to ask how everything was, handing out moist cleanser pads to dry-clean our fingers and faces after the delicious repast.

And then, on the way back to the Retirement Castle on the Hill, we spotted this stork standing nonchalantly beside a local storm-water holding pond! We first cautiously took some pictures through the open window of the car, but then decided to "take our chances" on an even better shot without the obstructions of a chain-link fence. This final shot was taken with the camera lens poking through the opening in the chain-link; the stork was totally nonplussed!!

And now to bed; we must get up and be on the road at 0400 tomorrow morning for the 150 mile drive to Orlando International Airport for our flight home.