Friday, March 29, 2013

Day at the Beach

Hi All,

We are having a wonderful time in New England. Friends and family visits in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Passover seders, doctor appointments and some spare time to hike the beach on Plum Island in Newburyport, MA. 

A variety of clouds greeted us on the beach.


Red and black grains spread across the beige sand by the surf

Sandy Point is covered at high tide, creating this interesting ridge pattern.

Things are going well in Florida as well. Ginger is doing great and repairs on the motorhome are progressing.

Life is good!

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Sunday, March 17, 2013

Alligator Farm

Hi All,

A great tourist spot in St Augustine is the Alligator Farm. In the late 1950's American alligators were critically endangered with fewer than 300 animals in the wild. Today there are more than 300 at the Alligator Farm!

The big males, like this 700 pounder are in the central pool area.

They have a training program for alligator handlers; here's the final exercise on controlling a large male.

They have two albino alligators

The Farm has at least one of each of the world's 23 species of crocodilians including this Indian Gharial.

Lots of neat birds as well like this red-knobbed hornbill from Sulawesi Island in Indonesia.

More common but just as beautiful is this macaw.
Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Lightner Museum

Hi All,

Sunday we met Scott, Tara and the boys in St Augustine for lunch and a tour of the Lightner Museum

Classic architecture of the museum, formerly the Alcazar Hotel with the biggest indoor swimming pool in the world at the time.


This Grand Escriviere was believed to be owned by Napolean's brother.

Check out the magnificent bronze bust of Daniel Day Lewis

Beautiful Stained Glass

The boys checking out the Turkish Bath.

Camera Collection

She'll Cameo Collection

Across from the Lightner is this fancy Hotel. Last April, former President Clinton visited and signed his name on the wall of the lobby. The hotel is Casa Monica! (You can't make this stuff up.)

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Saturday, March 9, 2013

Visiting the FL Greenbaums

Hi All,

We are having a great time visiting Scott, Tara and the boys.






Wyatt on his electric guitar

The whole gang waiting for a table at the Japanese restaurant!

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Pensacola Beach

Hi All,

On our last couple of days in the area we checked out the birds from the Pensacola Beach fishing pier. Looking back towards shore with a view of the hotels and huge 15 story Ferris wheel.


This common loon, still in winter plumage swam close to the pier.

Here's an example of the "modern" artillery at Fort Pickens circa 1906!
Tomorrow we head for St Augustine to see the kids.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Saturday, March 2, 2013

Fort Pickens

Hi All,

We are now in Florida though we can't tell by the thermometer(high of 50, 34 tonight)!

At the western end of Santa Rosa Island south of Pensacola, Fort Pickens is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. It's a beautiful spot.

Here is our first view of the Gulf of Mexico. Not visible in this picture are the diving gannets and common loon offshore.


Fort Pickens was built for coastal defense between 1829-1834.

Small cannons on lower level

Arched brickwork supports heavy cannons above.
Our ranger guided tour was interesting but it was nice to get out of the wind and back in the coach. Rare in National Parks, this campground has water and electricity at each site since it was previously a state park.

After four nights here we move to St Augustine.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Friday, March 1, 2013

McIlhenny Miscellany

Hi All,

We are now in Pensacola, FL at Fort Pickens campground. The drive across Louisiana on I-10 was bad but not as bad as expected.

We forgot to mention that during the Tabasco factory tour, we learned the secret of Tabasco sauce. The peppers are stored in oak barrels for three years. They get the barrels from the Jack Daniels distillery where they are used only once to make bourbon then have a long life with the peppers.

The Queen of England is also a fan of Tabasco sauce


Here is a photo of us and Marilyn & Carrol Johnston at El Charo in Tucson.
We first met them in Anchorage when we learned that Marilyn's maiden name was Greenbaum.

Small world created great friends.

Love

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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