Our Florida home - November 7, 2024
While Mommy and Daddy were in New York for a wedding, we got to play at Grandma and Grandpa's house
Connor loves to wear Grandpa's caps
The boys spent lots of time looking at all the pictures on Grandma's computer 
We are "HOME SWEET HOME"........and here I am with Anne (daughter) and the little Darlin's, Liam 3 and Connor 20 months! What a wonderful winter in warm sunny Florida. And even though it's chilly here, this picture makes it all worthwhile to be home!
Arrived in Clarksville, IN this afternoon and met Mark's sister, Sharon, niece, Sarah and nephew, Adam at Olive Garden for yummy dinner and then to Daisy for more chatter! Great way to end vacation cause tomorrow.........................HOME SWEET HOME!
COLD in Tennessee when we left this morning and snow flurries off and on all day. Stopped in Hodgenville, KY and watched video and visited this site above. Ate lunch at the Laha Red Castle where they've been cooking up hamburgers for 65 years - just a tiny diner with a few stools and good food. 
Stopped in Gunthersville on our way back - neat little town with cute shops and good lunch at Jester's. Really neat seeing all the churches out in the country and they are EVERYWHERE! Stopped at the Cullman Flea Market, too....those are always an "experience"!!!
Another beautiful day and lo and behold...when we didn't think we knew anyone in Alabama, we got an e-mail from a mutual friend (who reads our blog) that we were close to where Myra and Herb live (25 miles). Afer a quick phone call, we did get together and what fun catching up. We had not been together since June, 1969 at our wedding. Also, met their daughter, 4 grandchildren and Myra's Mother. So.......here's Herb and Myra, very fun friends from waaaay back!!!
After leaving Herb and Myra, we drove to nearby Lewis Smith Lake and Dam (the 2nd largest earthen dam in the USA) - very large and impressive and beautiful lake. Off to Birmingham and enjoyed the spectacular views from Vulcan Park and the "Iron Man" (pictured above) overlooking Birmingham. Ended the day with Good Friday services at Sacred Heart in Cullman.
Toured the Ave Maria Grotto at St. Bernard Abbey. Brother Joseph Zoettl, a monk at the Abbey built a huge display of replicas of various landmarks using materials from around the world over a 40-year period. Fascinating!!!!! We went to 4:00 Holy Thursday Mass at the Abbey and topped off the day with a wonderful dinner at "All Steak Restaurant", a long-time Cullman tradition featuring deeelicious orange rolls.
Happy Spring and what a glorious day here in Cullman with beautiful flowering trees, daffodils, and folks mowing their lawns!
Gorgeous dogwood and forsythia here at the Cullman Campground
Happy St. Patty's Day to all...this parade of turtles greeted us this morning in a little pond (full of lily pads) behind Daisy at Panama City Beach.
Sand dunes on St. George Island
Some unique beachfront rental property at St. George
After walking the white sugary beach on St. George, we drove onto Apalachicola and just when I thought there wasn't much shopping along "The Forgotten Coast of Florida"...whoaa, this little town was full of wonderful shops and also enjoyed a great lunch at Tamara's Cafe.
We are on the "forgotten coast of Florida" which lies along the Panhandle. The Ho Hum RV Park in Carrabelle will be Daisy's and our home till Friday. We walked the beach and just had a nice leisurely day with lunch at "2 Al's Beach Cafe". You just can't beat these local spots for good food and friendly folks!
Hello from the Holiday Campground in Panacea, FL - this is view we have of Ochlocknee Bay from Daisy.....just got back from thee best seafood platter dinner and key lime pie at Angelo & Son's Seafood Restaurant! It's raining now.....off to Carrabelle tomorrow.
It was a beautiful 66-degree sunny Sunday and we drove to Cedar Key. This is the 2nd oldest settlement in Florida (St. Augustine is #1). It's very quaint, laid back, artsy and "Old Florida". We had lunch at "Anne's Other Place" (good fish chowder) and this picture is looking down the main drag... 
We moved Daisy to Crystal River this morning and will be in this area till Tuesday.
Thirsty elephants
Pat and Bob
Bob, Linda, Pat, Mark and beautiful flowers
The giraffes were great fun, even the grassy ones! Very fun day at Busch Gardens - Tampa
Beautiful weather, great entertainment and not too crowded.
Spring Break has arrived on Clearwater Beach!
Mark outside Frenchy's where we had a great lunch and then walked the beach!
Happy Birthday to Mark's Mom! We had a fantastic 5-hour visit to the Ringling Museum of Art today. Here I am sitting in Mable's rose garden which won't be in full bloom for another month.
This was so fascinating to see and hear all about circus life, the lifestory of John and Mable Ringling and view their home, Ca'd'Zan (above). If you're in the Sarasota area, don't miss this! 
