When last we met, I was about to leave Destin, Florida for St. Petersburg. Made it. Located in a nice, mid-sized KOA campground skirting a back bayou. It was pleasant. While there, I met a couple and their 13 year old daughter Gracie Ray. Gracie Ray was taken with voyager-rabbit George so we got to talking. Born without a fourth chamber in her heart, she's survived, enduring 7 surgeries so far, starting 16 weeks after her arrival on the planet. A sweet kid with outstanding parents.
Also while there, my next door neighbor in the pictured teardrop camper was taken away in an ambulance around 2 am. He was moving when loaded on the stretcher, so hopefully that was a good sign. Reminded me of my camping trip to Virginia Beach, where a guy who was having a 50th anniversary dinner at the next table stroked out. Fortunately one of the servers at this restaurant (Croakers - an unfortunately apt name) had EMT training and the guy started breathing again before the ambulance ride. You can never tell how long this ride we are all on will last!
A full week with my Roanoke friend of 32 years, Sue (or periodically Suzie), was the intent. Found that Suzie lives in paradise. Beautiful weather, beautiful sunsets, and wonderful friends at Treasure Beach. A great time. The hardest part of living in Treasure Beach is stopping for people in crosswalks.
A little fun with the photoedit program Snapfish below.
Friends on the beach
A supporter of the now president elect. Although we were 20 feet away, we all ended up singing a vintage song together - might have been Del Shannon's Little Runaway. Might not. Fun though. The election came and went as well all know. I've interacted with good folks on both sides of that fence, and remain positive that there is hope for the future. Enough said.
Sue & friend Scottish Margaret on a boat we took out from her boat club. Take any boat you want - nice!
Went to the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. The building is strikng! Didn't know too much about Dali, other than the melting clocks in the surrealistic Persistence of Memory. Found that the guy had a whole lot of issues. A whole lot.
Suzie and her daughter Bri
Sue's mom and other daughter with spouse live not too far away in Dade City, so we journeyed there.
Went sailing on a friend of Sue's
30ft Catalina. An excellent 6 hours on the Gulf, about 10 miles out for much of it.
Captain Jerry let me take the helm going under the Cory Draw Bridge - and beyond. Really awesome!
Dancing could have been involved while at Treasure Beach - I'm told. A little night life in the daytime, where the bands go from 1pm to 5, and then again 6 till late. Very nice to hear live music while I'm still awake! This is a little 'Where's Waldo' shot. I'm in there somewhere dancing with short Margaret.
Had a surprise visitor while at Treasure Beach. Pam drove up from Key West. Sue, Pam and I spent a long, great night recalling times past. We noted that one's true friends can usually be counted on one hand. These ladies are two of them.
Watched the Cubs take the World Series. Couldn't have been a better contest! Late night/early morning phone call in the 10th inning with diehard Roanoke Cubs fan Pam, another finger on that hand of friendship.
After the great week with Sue and company at Treasure Island, I journeyed down the coast to sister and brother-in-law Marilyn and Peter's house in Naples. Left the camper across the alley and somehow dodged the Naple's zoning laws.
Spent equal time at Marilyn and Peter's lake house.
Threading a needle on the pontoon boat with a friend between two lakes.
George unchained at my sister's house. I didn't let him do too much of this. Don't want him to get freedom ideas. I think that George's allegiance transferred to my sister due to her excellent vegetable pantry and attention.
A great dinner and a great Floridian view with a group of M&P's friends. Hadn't had mushrooms for 3 months - most excellent along with the grilled steak!
Made a donation to the Indian Nation at the casino in Immokalee. Disappointed there was no craps table, where I could have donated more.
The beach in Naples. Rode my bike back and forth. Worked well.
This trip idea started as I recovered from back surgery and contemplated retirement. I came upon distance as the way to effectively separate myself from the rich and rewarding work life I've had for 40 years. It has worked. I continue to have a closeness and great regard for my work environment and all my friends in it, but don't feel the magnetic pull. It's quite comfortable, really. Knowing that these four months are much different than the day-to-day Roanoke time to come, I still feel that the spirit of independence and work/play time that I've achieved here can continue. That is also a quite comfortable feeling.
While still on this journey, time with friends, time with family, and time by myself continue to be a part of it. The first 3 weeks of 'alone' time was bracketed with Indy family and Oregon family. I was back on my own in California, with the trip stretching through Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia all the way to Florida. From Florida back to Roanoke is devoted to dear friends and family. I look forward to this part, but I will miss the alone days. I hadn't thought that that time would be so valuable. The sense of adventure has been exhilarating, with my compass bearing turning as I felt the inclination. I've explored a vast expanse of America on my own terms, and have become much richer in the process. I wished to share much of it with the people I know and love. Writing this blog, the surface-skimming, abbreviated conduit that it is, has been an attempt to do so. It also serves as my memory of what has been, which may be the most important thing of all.
Some may say "What's this waxing-philosophic bullshit you laying on me brother?!" A most accurate observation, to which I extend my apologies.
Anyway, thanks once again for Rolling with me! Till later,
Take care,
DDP
