Back on the Road - 2017 Will Be a Year of Travel

2016 was a year of nesting.  I slept in my own bed more nights in 2016 than in any of the years since I bought the house in 1994.  It was great.  I remodeled, relaxed and enjoyed a lot of "pajama days".  Those are the lazy days when you don't have to go out, can read as much as you want and basically be a sloth.  I LOVE pajama days.

2017 is going to be a different story, though.  I want to tell you about the most amazing Christmas gift I've ever received.

My dear friend Kyle, who I met when we both served in the Peace Corps in Samoa is now a flight attendant for United.  For Christmas he gave me a pass to fly on United during 2017.  Anywhere they fly.  As often as I'd like.  It's standby and I'll be paying the taxes but seriously, can you imagine a better gift for someone who loves to travel?  Some of the trips Kyle and I will take together.  Others, I'll be on my own.  I've already started my dream list of destinations.  World, here I come!  Thanks, Kyle.

Kyle Kincaid, my very generous friend who is enabling my travel habit.

Safaris in Central Florida

I had a great time on safari in Malawi - rhinos, Cape buffalo, impalas, baboons, etc.  But the fun didn't stop when I came home.

Friends from New Jersey and Michigan are visiting so we did a little nature gazing right here in Central Florida.  We started with Blue Spring State Park then moved on to Lake Jessup, where we took an airboat ride into the swamps, looking for 'gators.  The next day we headed to New Smyrna Beach, where we saw the sunrise, followed by sightings of a pod of dolphins and a couple of manatees, just off the dock of the restaurant where we were dining (JB's Fish Camp, one of my favorites).

First animal sighting. a dinosaur sitting on the fuse box for the pool.  I have no idea who put him there.

We stopped at Waffle House on our way to Blue Spring.  Kyle was VERY excited.

What are these people staring at?

This huge gator, sunning himself on a log.  Can you spot him?

In the winter, the manatees hang out at the spring.  This mosaic one is there year 'round.

This park is not far from my house and I drag all visitors there.  Be warned.

On the Black Hammock airboat on Lake Jessup.  We saw lots of 'gators.

An osprey nest with a momma and daddy osprey and their babies.  They mate for life, like eagles.

This big guy swam in front of us. One of the dozens we saw.

Can you spot the 'gator in the mud?

Sunrise over New Smyrna Beach.

Their first time driving on the beach.  Happily, we got rain on our drive home to help get rid of the salt on my car.

The manatees and dolphins were too fast for me.  This is a manatee tail in the Intercoastal waterway in front of JB's Fish Camp.