Gecko costumes. Hiding out in a hibiscus...so, today I want to be green |
Gary's travels (DoubleEspresso)
SUMMER 2017: Back on the road again. SUMMER 2016: No travel. In health recovery mode. SUMMER 2015: Out West and house sitting SUMMER 2014: Out West SUMMER 2013: Back to Glacier NP; SUMMER 2012: Glacier NP; SUMMER 2011: Yellowstone and Glacier NP doubleheader; SUMMER 2010: Working on the Grand Canyon's North Rim; SUMMER 2009: June vacation in Nova Scotia; SUMMER 2008: Hiking in Yosemite National Park; SUMMER 2007: Alaska's Denali National Park; SUMMER 2006 :Gold Fever! in Skagway, AK
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Monday, January 23, 2023
Discovering a new side of Orlando Wetlands
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Snowy egret in flight
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Thawing out bit by bit
ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Now that I'm finally thawing out from our polar expedition to North Carolina during the Christmas holidays, it was time to check the neighborhood. It's mid-January and, like years past, about 50% of the homes which had holiday decorations or lights still have them up. Why take the decorations down when there's a nice chill in the air. And the ocean is cold enough that not even those brave folks from Montreal are in the water yet they do set out beach chairs despite a very stiff breeze. In all just another sunny day in paradise for those folks escaping snow shovels and drifts.
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Holly, ice and a tree covering
The holly might get a snow dusting today (Tuesday) |
WEST END, NC - - It's cold, overcast and breezy. We're not complaining. we're wandering around. Check the previous blog for more travel tales
A 'knit' way to cover your Christmas tree...in downtown Southern Pines |
Yes, it's ice...on the UNC Chapel Hill campus |
On the road
Everybody needs a Buck-ee 's beaver plushee |
WEST END, NC -- Travel on I-95 from OB to NC and you'll likely see humorous billboards touting the latest addition to the travel center / convenience center choices. Buck-ee's is worth a stop. So we did check one out in SC. Wow! Aside from over 50 gas pumps, the store was huge and not in typical truck stop style...in fact it does not allow big rigs.
Just guys slicing up brisket for sandwiches |
Hey, you want a fresh cut brisket sandwich; fresh made jerky; fudge; donuts or pastry or a breakfast burrito you got it. Amazing really because half the folks wandering around were sort of smiling or were looking around in wonder. The rest had a determined look figuring out how to see everything. Who knew getting 10 gallons of gas could be exciting.
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Parade time
No Xmas without Snoopy |
All the Xmas ingredients except Snoopy |
ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Even a grinch like me needs to get a yearly Christmas Parade fix. With over 100 companies / participants including marching bands, dance clubs, tow truck companies, canine schools, and about everything in between there was something for everybody. Plus the showers of sweet things being tossed by people within the groups. The above are I-phone6 photos...no need to lug the 'big' equipment. And a good time was had by all.
Saturday, November 19, 2022
OB Seafood Fest
ORMOND BEACH, FL - - This weekend's OB Seafood Fest takes place just a short walk over the OB bridge from our house. This is an endeavor which combines two of our favorite things: walking and an interesting lunch. On the lunch front there were a number of choices. One: crawfish and corn and Two: paella with rice; mussels; shrimp; crawfish and a bit of fish or mac and cheese with shrimp. I would have liked a combo of all three, but it was the paella which won out. Tasty.
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Bromeliad
Friday, November 11, 2022
Hurricane Nicole...the day after
Check the previous blog for a look at the Halifax River storm surge one block from home.
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Hurricane Nicole
ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Two officers from our OB fire department showed up Thursday afternoon to get a first-hand look at the street flooding a block from our house. It looks bad here while a couple of blocks up there's no flooding although the Halifax River and the 20mph plus wind was trying hard to overcome higher (inches) elevation. The building pictured is the OB city attorney's office...a great location until Mother Nature conspires.
One block south lies Ames Park, a great place for a picnic or hanging out. Not today. Check the center background and you'll glimpse the OB bridge. Not much happening there 'cause of high winds / waves and the hurricane / tropical storm madness. The bridge access was closed...there was a mandatory evacuation yesterday, but not many people left their homes. It's funny to think that the area just across the Halifax is considered an island.
Thursday, November 03, 2022
Seasonal scenes
ORMOND BEACH, FL - - It's a nice, sunny 78-degree Spring day in the neighborhood. Oh, wait...it's November 3. Yet, the shrubs and flowers are having a blooming time and the Royal Terns are turning to face the slightly off-shore breeze. The water fountain decorations are spurting in the nearby park and there are plenty of colorful plantings around another nearby park. However, a cool front is moving in and it will be a chilly 68 on of these nights.
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Splat!!
SPLAT!! |
ORMOND BEAC H, FL - - Splat is the sound you'll hear if you're texting, playing email or scrolling on your phone when you realize there's an immovable object right in front of you. Halloween is just around the corner so we're seeing decorations adorning many houses ... most with "adult" kids who haven't quite grown up yet. This yard caught my eye while wandering the neighborhood on a breezy morning. The 'phone' reference is apt because more and more people are wandering, or worse yet, driving with their eyes and concentration glued to the phone screen to the peril of those of us who are at least semi alert.
Saturday, October 08, 2022
Hurricane Ian
Two blocks away, the damage for one homeowner was a bit more drastic. A large tree didn't withstand the high winds and toppled over...right onto his Jeep...with limbs hanging out into the street.
A tree, uprooted and crashing down in our yard wouldn't hit one of our vehicles because the house is in the way. We don't need that to happen.
Monday, October 03, 2022
And now, North Carolina
Cue the music for about 1,500 miles of interstate; checking the tv weather each night for news of Hurricane Ian as the storm got ever closer to OB. And when the storm had blown past OB, it headed for NC and the general area we we were going to. For the last day on the interstate we followed / passed convoy's of power company trucks heading to the NC coast (major outages) and, maybe, south to FL
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Three view of Moab, UT
GUNNISON, CO -- After 3 days in Moab, UT we're on the road to Colorado Springs or somewhere around there. Moab was a fascinating place with THREE 'must do' options which each can fill a day. (Top) The Bend as shot from Dead Horse State Park. The Colorado River meanders around nearly everywhere it goes. This location to see the river is famous. Look closely and you can see a trail on the mesa above the brown waters.
In Arches NP the hike up to see Delicate Arch close-up seemed a bit more than I wanted to take on: stamina-wise it would be long and slow; balance and agility-wise I decided to play it safe. The second observation point in Arches NP was much more my style, but the photos were distant.
Canyonlands NP is a huge conglomeration of geologic wonders. It's either deep, strange looking canyons or walls and towers of red rock which look like they were built in a giant's sand box.
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Our annual stroll around Goldfield
GOLDFIELD, NV - - Goldfield is always a neat place to wander around. Friendly neighbors are one of the first things which come to mind. Some folks like to warn the unwary.
Other folks have fancy 'yard art' while others just let the derelict cars pile up. Need a pet?? A lot of the wild burros wandering around get penned up and held while looking for home.
One Goldfield resident (with a sense of humor) has the license plate I'd like. Grumpy is as Grumpy does. We learn something on every visit. This time it was about railroad times here. The Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad played a part if the high times when silver and gold ruled the area back at the beginning of the 19th century. Later, in down-sized fashion the railway continued working (for the Nevada Copper Belt Railroad and then as storage units) until 1947. NOTE: the double train pics are a sign of tapping the 'print' function too quickly.