Florida, An Attempt To Find Some Place Warm...
Ten days ago we headed south in search of warmer temperatures. We started out in Pensacola and made our way all around the peninsula...
It was amazing how far south we had to go before we saw temperatures about freezing. Even in Alabama we saw a few flurries of snow. We had never been to Pensacola before so this was a fun and exciting new adventure. We drove through the town on the main land and then drove across the bay to Gulf Breeze. The sand was so white, it was blinding.
Our first priority when we arrived was, of course, to find food. There weren't too many places open, possibly because of the cold weather. We ended our search at Bull Feathers and ate a good feast. Then we headed outside the restaurant to sit in the sun in this giant clam-shell. As you can see, the kids are still wearing their winter coats. It was still cold even here.
We had fun for awhile chasing the birds and admiring the general splendour of the beach. We went to Pensacola Christian College and Pensacola Christian Academy. I felt like we did everything we came to do in a couple hours and didn't need to see anything more! Besides, it was still cold. We talked about going further south and decided that we would leave in the morning for Naples.
Wow, what a beautiful sight. The beach in Naples was very nice, with a nice outline of palm trees bordering the sand. It was still cold there of course, but at least it was in the 50s!
We spent some time here playing with the birds and running up and down the beach. By this time I would say that being in the car had really cramped my style. I am used to being very busy running all over the house doing some chore or helping the kids with something. So by the time we made it to the beach in Naples you would have thought we would be done driving...
Well, we weren't done. After a really healthy lunch at Taco Bell we decided to head across the Everglades and drive to our old stomping grounds, Vero Beach. It wasn't a very long drive across the peninsula and soon we were in Fort Lauderdale. When we lived in Florida a year and a half ago we hadn't gone that far south before. This too was a new adventure.
We arrived in Vero Beach late in the day. We had the great blessing of being able to find a hotel on the beach that was having a special on 2 rooms. The hotel is called Surf Club and is currently being renovated. We think when they are done it is going to be a nice place that we could never have afforded!
We found the birds here too. I love the birds in Florida. There weren't that many around, probably because it was so cold. Even here in Vero Beach it was in the 50s.
The kids were real troopers on this trip. They had to sit in the car for hours and hours, playing and sight-seeing with their travel-loving parents. Through it all, they still love each other, and us.
When we lived in Vero Beach, there was a great bunch of ladies that would get together to knit at Panera Bread. Our arrival just happened to coincide with one of their get togethers. I was so blessed to see them and knit and I really felt like I was still one of them. Thanks Knit Sisters!
We arrived home safely yesterday afternoon. Back to the North country and frigid temperatures. The snow is still here, as are the below freezing temperatures. It is good to be back home though. Maybe by May we will be out of the snow!?
