in Panama City Beach, Florida

We planned to leave Port Richey before the storm came, but it got us and came along with tornado warnings, high winds, and lots of lightening..it was a bit scary in a travel trailer. It calmed down, and we left at 10am. We got in here around 5pm and are at St. Andrews State Park and will explore tomorrow. Tonight is Greek Salad and relaxing..watching American Idol.

Several names for the trailer have been suggested: Courage House, Howy (Heels on Wheels, Yeah), or Scooter....comments?

leaving Port Richey, Fla

Last night we went to Ybor City in Tampa, below are the dancers at the Columbia. They say they are the oldest restaurant in Florida, and the largest Spanish in the world. We're leaving this morning...big storms moving in today, so not sure how far we'll go..aiming for Panama City on the panhandle of Florida.

Pine Island beach..no waves

and a few pictures from Tarpon Springs

Hellas Restaurant where we ate

April 10th, a memorable Birthday

Easter Sunday

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Tarpon Springs

We went to the Greek Church in Tarpon Springs Easter Sunday...(Greek Easter this year is April 19th, as they use a different method of calculating the date). Steve had never been and was fascinated with all of the ceremonial traditions. He commented that he'll not complain about standing up in our church back home any more...we were standing most of the time! It brought back memories for me of being in Church with my Greek Grandma and Mom, and of celebrating Greek Easter as a child in Iowa.

We purchased all of the ingredients for a Greek Salad..the Village Salad that is without lettuce, and enjoyed that for lunch. We drove to Clearwater Beach, but it was very crowded, so we didn't stay. Since we had given up deserts for lent (we did cheat for our Birthdays), we couldn't wait to enjoy a Dairy Queen blizzard for supper!

in Port Richey, Florida

We are set up in a camp resort..there are many on the west coast for snowbirds to stay for the winter...and we're on a small lake..what a nice view out our picture window...very quiet as most left for home. They have many amenities including a pool, activity center, shuffle board court, tennis, etc.
Last night we went to Tarpon Springs for my birthday dinner at Hellas Restaurant..great Greek food. My Greek Grandparents retired in Tarpon Springs (after years in Iowa where I'm from) and are buried there. We're just about 20 minutes from there in Port Richey, and are going back today to explore the city more, and eat more Greek food..OPA!! This afternoon we plan to lay out by the pool and relax..high today is to be 86..nice. This life is not for everyone..ha ha.

Leaving Ft. Myers

Here are pictures from our time here:

We drove up to Sarasota today, and this is a huge statue of the WW2 kiss...amazing!

Karen Burke recommended the Veranda for lunch..downtown Ft. Myers, and it was excellent.

Thomas Edison had a summer home in Ft. Myers, and Henry Ford gave him a 4 ft. Banyan tree..it now takes over an acre, and has at least 350 roots...absolutely incredible site.

Sunset on Sanibel Island

The pier at Naples

The Murky Duck English Pub at Captiva Island on the gulf

Next stop is Port Richey just north of Tampa for Easter Weekend

In Ft. Myers, Florida

We arrived at Woodsmoke Camping Resort yesterday, and after setting up, went to lunch at Skip One Seafood that was wonderful. They advertise the freshest shrimp in town and it really was great. We came back to the trailer (still need to give it a name..suggestions welcome) and took a nap. We then set out to Bonita Beach and took the beach road thru Ft. Myers Beach to Sanibel Island. Then on to Captiva Island to watch the sunset, but it was too cloudy to see much..maybe tonight. Steve's cousin Stan recommended the Bubble Room, and it was a site to behold! Waiters were all dressed in different costumes with silly hats, lots of antique toys, train set running thru, Christmas decorations, and pictures of movie stars all over the place...Steve said a myriad of junk to behold in a kind of Christmas theme!
Today is the day we met 20 years ago, and also was my father's birthday, Sheila's and Colleen's..Happy Birthday to you two.

Leaving South Florida

Our time here has been visiting friends and relatives, and we have had such a great time. We're leaving here today for the west coast of Florida...and now on our own without visiting. First stop is Ft. Myers.

Can you tell...these are the relatives! They had a surprise Birthday Party for Steve and we're all wearing glasses!

From left back row, Claudio, Neal, Steve, Stan, Randy

me, Aunt Margaret (known as Little Margaret), and Kim

The Ol' Young Republicans of Broward County...we won the best club in the Nation back when...from left, Paula, me, Mary Ellen, Joan, and Jan

In 1972 I met Gloria..we were later roomates and best friends. Here we are joined by her husband Tom and Steve. Coty is their Golden Retriever..a great dog!

We went to Jan's (my daughter Katie's Aunt) and had lunch with her after going to her home and seeing all the work they've been doing. She and Randy hunt, and we saw lots of the results. She lives outside of West Palm Beach.

Also had lunch with a great friend from my Southern Bell days, Coranna. Our trailer was in Delray Beach, Gloria in Boca, met the YR's in Ft. Lauderdale at the Yacht Club, Aunt Margaret at John Knox Village in Pompano..didn't make it any further South. We'll cross Aligator Alley today.