2013 In the Rearview Mirror

It's unseasonably warm here - even for Florida!  We broke a record yesterday at 85 degrees and the beaches are full with vacationers and snowbirds getting in a last day or two of salt air and sun.

I've spent the past week chomping at the bit to get Breezin out and wanting to go camping again.  But with Christmas around the corner and family in and out of town I just haven't found a chance.  While in the middle of whining about that I decided to go through my photos and put together a short recap of 2013.  Although it didn't seem like I got to travel much, it really was a very good year.  Sometimes life becomes clearer in the rearview mirror…

Click below for a photo review.  Music is "Living in Aluminum" by Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours :-)

2013 in Review

Why Winter in Florida?

Enjoying family this week - and the Florida weather!  After an unusual cold snap, it really is warm here in the winter...

Not too bad being here this week :-)

A little bit of Christmas shopping left to do and then breezin' over to Silver River State Park for a day or two.  Last week was the Flagler Beach Christmas parade and Santa made a surprise visit...

Yep, this is how he rolls in Florida...

Home for the Holidays

Breezin' is tucked away in her storage spot...and I'm homebound this week.  We are supposed to be at Anastasia State Park enjoying this 80 degree weather with the Sisters on the Fly Group.  I think I'm destined to be a Sister Missing in Action instead since this is the fourth event I've had to cancel!

But Christmas is right around the corner and there are cobwebs to dust and decorating to do.  My brother comes in on Monday (I'm the official picker-upper) and the girls are coming right after Christmas.

I even managed to get up a tree this year... sort of :-)

Christmas Tree - Florida Style

Time sure seems to fly!  My youngest grandchild, Maureen (Momo ) turned six this week!  Mom and Dad threw her a party by renting a local theater (it's a small town).

Hoping to get out once more before the holidays for some camping.  Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful December, and a wonderful Christmas season.

Thanksgiving in Savannah

Breezin' and I arrived in Savannah on Wednesday to freezing weather -- highs in the 40's and down to  31 at night!  Happily, the furnace in Breezin kept me toasty and the antenna gave us several channels to choose from.  Ava brought me a huge selection of books so I was quite content to read and snuggle in for the night.  Thanksgiving day brought more cold weather and we opted to stay put until time to meet for dinner in Savannah.  Another fellow "tabber" had made dinner reservations for us and joined us at The Olde Pink House in Savannah where we enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner seated by the fireplace.  Good food, good wine, great company.

Breezin' in her campsite at Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah GA

Thanksgiving dessert.  I should have taken a picture of dinner but I was hungry and forgot :-)

The weather finally cleared enough to get in a short hike or two and enjoy a day of sightseeing in Savannah on Friday.

The Mercer house in Savannah.  Built by ancestors of Johnny Mercer (songwriter/singer of Moon River and about 1,400 other songs) but more famous as the house of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame.

 Forsyth Fountain

Cumberland Island National Seashore

After a chilly night, the rain held out long enough for us to take our planned tour of Cumberland Island.  The ranger tour is well worth the money and after a ferry ride to the Island, the tour takes you to the north end of the island with stops at The Plum House, the Settlement and the old pier.  After the tour we had time to take the quick walk to the Dungeness ruins before boarding the ferry back to St. Marys.

Wild horses on Cumberland Island.

The next day was a wash... literally, rained all day so we visited a local bookstore and then went to the movies to see The Hunger Games, Catching fire before moving the next day to Savannah.

Breezin Bye... On the Road

After a quick trip to Gold Head Branch State Park for a shakedown cruise,

Gold Head Branch State Park, FL

Breezin' was off on her first road trip Thanksgiving week.  What was planned was a warm Florida/Southern Georgia trip with sightseeing, beaches and dinner with good friends.  Unfortunately, a winter storm hit the area about the same time we hit the road!  Starting on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the weather was clear but the wind was gusting around 35mph as we started are journey toward southern GA.  All was well until we hit the first "white knuckle" obstacle... the Bonaparte bridge outside of Jacksonville!  We took the middle lane and crossed this guy at no more than 40 to keep the winds from pushing us around.  If you know me at all, you know I hate bridges where I can't see land on the sides.  We survived, made a mental note not to return the same way, and continued on to Crooked River State Park in St. Marys, GA where we met up with Ava Ianni and her T@B, Lemon Drop.