Nevermind the rain, we decided we were going to explore another nearby beach anyway. It's what we DO every chance we get! We hadn't been to Ft. DeSoto since the move (which btw, is 2005's best beach in America), so we headed over yesterday. As you can see, we are still in awe of all the seabirds. That was fun, walking slowly up to the gulls then running so they'd fly up! But they knew I was no danger, they just went up and came right back down. The park is huge, 2 beaches, 2 piers, natural bay areas and campgrounds, etc. and of course, the Fort. We can see why it got such an honor this year, and the wildlife there is...well, outstanding. One beach is on the bay, another on the gulf, as are the piers. That's the Sunshine Skyway bridge in the distance. At that end, the bay side, is where the cruise ship came by. Just wanted to share. It was a really nice day for just 30 minutes away. I'm SO GLAD we moved here. Yes I am.

Phooey, second photo didn't work, trying again!

Btw, that's shorts and a shirt, not a dress! lol

Kathy, thanks for sharing the day and photos! It looks wonderful, and I'm so glad that you are enjoying your new home and state!

Ahhhhhh St. Pete and Tampa Bay ...I remember them well... Nice day kathy - thanks

Cynde, I wake up happy. It was the right move, I know that.



I so dread having to go back to work! This break (much needed) has been wonderful, simply perfect. But I do have a grand idea, watching this housing market...hmmm.

Hubby and I were stuck on a drawbridge yesterday, and instead of having to worry about the time, or whatever....we got to watch the water over the intercoastal waterway. OMG, dolphins everywhere. And manatees. Bait fish in big swarms. All just for the looking, all free to you and me. The best things in life are free, well...here, you might have to pay a 50 cent toll. lol

And the sunset was magnificent, but we were on the freeway already - bright reds and pinks and purples too magnificent to describe, but no pics. And hubby called me this morning at 8:30 to tell me about a spectacular rainbow over St. Pete beach. I missed it. Told Heather about it and she knew about it, she'd actually seen it on the news.

I treasure these days, I do. That's probably why I am recoding them so vividly.

We go back to Lauderdale next weekend to "bag bugs", or, for the layman, dive for lobster. We got our permits and all yesterday, so we're ON for another adventure!

Tim, you were here once? We looked hard at Ft. Myers, but decided against it. Now hubby goes there at least twice a week with his work, and he loves it.

Y'never know!

Sounds like you've hit the spot, Kathy. Great pictures.

By the way, up here, we picnic in the rain and in the snow. If we didn't, we rarely would!

Hmmmm, not just by the way, you look great in the shorts and shirt!

Kathy, great pics. It sure seems that you and Larry made the right move. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful place and nice shots. I am really starting to feel that same desire, as I was changing my clothes after work last night, I realized I really hate socks. I mean I really hate them and wished I could throw them all away, or even better burn them (probably would piss off the EPA). They are the spawn of the devil and deserve a slow horrible death.

Kathy ,

isn't it just great the way those extra's just seem to come for free???
It's great to see you enjoy your move and all that comes with it . Manatees in the wild , WOW.

Great payback at them birdies , just to bad you had to add its a short ;-)

Just a thought : keep a digital cam at hand all the time , it's amazing how these cams seem to shrink in size over the last year.

We'd love to see more pictures.

Sjosss

Cecil !!!

I think I tore a muscle laughing so loud about your "socks statement".

every year for me the summer holiday is really over if I put on my socks again at work. For safety reasons we have to wear steelcap working boots , so no socks is no option.

At the end of my holidays I want to be able to see the "TEVA- tanning line" if I am walking barefoot. If not , there's something awfully wrong about the weather.

Sjosss , still grinning.

Great pictures, Kathy. You sure made the right decision moving there. You "sound" so happy!

Kathy - great pictures!!! You do sound very happy!! I am glad the move worked out for you!!

Have fun catching bagging those bugs!!

Kathy, glad to hear you are so happy with your move! And I love the pictures, especially the one with a gazillion sea gulls. My husband and I have friends and relatives in Boca, Orlando, and West Palm and have wanted to move down to FL for many many years. And my son wants to transfer in college to J&W in Miami in March 2006. I ask my brother daily on IM "have you found me a job yet?" ha! I keep looking, and someday it will happen, hopefully before I am toooooooo old to dive. Enjoy every moment,
Denise

Kathy, congrats on making the move. You sound soooo happy. Your pics and story are wonderful, thanks for sharing.

And Cecil - you can add my socks to the fire. LOL with joske!!

Kathy, Really cool pics! You have certainly made the right move! My daughter is looking into a college for marine biology in West Florida and from what we saw from the literature, she is hooked and she just loves Florida. My sister is in Tampa and when I have visited her, her husband has this awesome speed boat and he would take a bucket of KFC, some beer and we would go to all these really cool little islands that we felt like Gilligans Island all to ourselves. Really nice down there.

Thanks guys. Living in paradise helps with all the other stuff, y'know!

Debbie, we had my oldest stepdaughter all ready to go to Eckerd College in St. Pete. The BEST school for marine biology, then she met a guy. sigh Excellent school, I wish I'd gone there! Where's she thinking about?

Anyway, I'll post more when we complete the lobster adventure this weekend.

Kathy, thank you for sharing and reminding us to look for the freebies - no matter where we are
Soak it up - you deserve it!

Kathy, the university she was looking at is called the University of West Florida and is in Pensacola. Haven't heard of Eckerd College, will have to look at that one too. Filling in college applications this fall so there is still time. She is also looking a A&M University in Texas. Think it is in Galveston, not sure. Those were her top picks as of late. Hope you get some good lobsters this week-end. You are indeed living out a dream!

Cecil, I don't recall wearing anything other than slip on sandals or flip flops, mostly flip flops, since we moved here. In fact, I've done away with a few things, and it all feels right, finally. Well, heck, it's HOT!

Debbie, I imagine I'll be squealing in my reg, trying to bag the lobsters. I am so NOT a hunter! I'm way too empathetic and don't really know if I can do this. And if I do come to shore with some in my bag, nope, I'm not cooking them either. My son in law has volunteered for that! It's weird how I'll eat seafood like it's goin' out of style if someone else cooks it, but I want people to release their fish I see gasping on a dock, and can't imagine eating something I've....known. ack But I'm going to try this!

Oh, and on my oldest stepdaughter, she's doing well. Makes good money and is happy and lives in a nice house, and the boyfriend, is well....he's ok. People let goals and dreams die, we realized that, and that's why we moved, so that we wouldn't. Pipedreams are sad! Which, btw, YOU can NEVER say pipedream, because you own a house on Bonaire! Which makes you awesome for goin' for it.

I love your photos!!!

Nice report Kathy! Looks beautiful there!

Kathy, glad you enjoy Florida! I can imagine that it is a nice place to live.

Awesome shots, Kathy! You are really enjoying your envirnment...that's wonderful to hear.

Joe and I need a change....lived in Lauderdale as a kid but don't know if I could handle the heat and humidity now....then again, New Jersey is probably just as bad in the summer!

Keep right on soaking up everything around you....you are one lucky lady! Carole

We moved to Sarasota four years ago....we know how you feel!!!!Only thing is - we have YET to see a manatee!!!! lots of dolphins, birds, gators - but no manatees yet.

Great pictures, Kathy - welcome to Florida.