Thanksgiving on the Emerald Coast

Gathering around the table with family……it just doesn’t get any better.

But first we were treated to an outstanding performance of The Nutcracker by the Northwest Florida Ballet. Our granddaughter, Camille, executed the part of a Snow Princess and Reed Flute beautifully.

Here is a snippet of her doing a flawless pirouette. 

We were not expecting to see Alison until Wednesday; Surprise!

She showed up on Saturday evening. Before leaving, we celebrated her 20^th birthday, as well as the birthday of her Grandma Joy.

After a week of fun and games, too much eating, collegiate stories, sharing memories (some we have heard many times,} and watching dance videos, we are on our way home and the countdown to our winter adventure begins.

Note to email subscribers, hitting reply to the email notification of a new post will send your reply out somewhere in cyber space and we will never know of your comments.  If you wish to comment, please do so in the comment section on the blog site or send a note using the email address you have in your contact list.

We are off to Florida!

No, not for the winter, but for a much needed visit with our girls.

One of the highlights of this visit is seeing our ballerina, Camille, in her final performance in The Nutcracker with the Northwest Florida Ballet Company. Starting as a mouse in 3rd grade she has performed many different roles (including Clara); she will conclude this 9 year run as Snow Princess and Reed Flute. Next season she plans to be dancing in a college program or company.

Another highlight will be the celebration of our college student, Alison’s birthday. Looking forward to hearing how her course work is progressing following the disruption of Hurricane Florence.

And, last but not least, is the anticipation of spending time with Holly. Now that she no longer is needed to chauffeur maybe we will have more time with her; on the other hand she is very much involved with the ballet so probably not as much time as we would like.

The past month has kept us busy getting the house and garden ready for winter. Remember the termite fiasco just before we left for our Fall Adventure?

The garden shed is sporting a brand new floor! (Thanks, Captain.)

The greenhouse is full of geraniums and succulents 

 as well as jugs of water (in case any garden fairies should appear while we are away this winter with a desire to give the plants a drink. Hint, hint.)

The Crepe Myrtle trees that were over 2 stories high are now topped to about 1 story.

Most of the leaves have been raked or mulched; the rest will get done if we have a sunny day before we leave for the winter.

Speaking of winter, it appears to have arrived. Our plan was to leave for Florida on Thursday, but the forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday promised 2-4 inches of snow and/or winter mix of ice and rain. So we loaded up The Wanderer and left Wednesday morning. We didn’t totally escape the snow as we had a little sampling on Tuesday morning (see photo above.)

On Thursday as we gather around the table with our family, we have so much for which to give thanks. Having the opportunity to spend time with many of you, our extended family and friends (we often forget which is which) is at the top of the list. We wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

BTW, we will return home for a few weeks before we head west for the winter.

Note to email subscribers, hitting reply to the email notification of a new post will send your reply out somewhere in cyber space and we will never know of your comments.  If you wish to comment, please do so in the comment section on the blog site or send a note using the email address you have in your contact list.

Over the Mountains and Through the Plains

We left Canyonlands National Park as the sun was rising over the LaSal Mountains on Sunday morning.

As we connected Roger (our toad, not our friend) to The Wanderer the temperature was 40º with winds that felt like 80 mph (was probably more like 25 mph.) Anyway, it made leaving much more appealing. With a prediction of heavy snow in the Rockies, we decided to drive south about 50 miles, crossing only one mountain pass instead of the three on I-70. (Hearing parts of I-70 were closed on Sunday that was probably a good idea.)

Sunday’s drive was pretty much uneventful until we approached Monarch Pass on Hwy. 50. Slowly The Wanderer pulled Roger (our toad, not our friend) to the summit

and creeped down the other side.

We pulled into the Walmart parking lot in Salida saying “That was not as bad as we had envisioned and the worst is behind us.” But nooo......., said Mother Nature, it’s not over.”  The first 50 miles on Monday Captain drove 25-35 mph over the icy road through a canyon.

ABN said it was like driving through a Christmas card but all Captain saw

was the icy road (and a few deer.)

Here are the views that Captain missed.

By mid-day we hit dry roads and boring views.

Fortunately, Captain’s cousin, Joy and husband Shannon, live just a ways off I-70 in Lindsborg, KS (aka Little Sweeden USA,) so we got a bit of respite from the miles and miles of windmills and farmland. We parked The Wanderer in their drive while they took us on an art tour. Swedish artist, Birger Sandzèn,  immigrated to Lindsborg in 1894 and taught art at Bethany College. After he retired from the college in 1946, he continued to live there and create art until his death in 1954. We visited the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery and saw only a small portion of his amazing paintings.

Hour of Splendor
Bryce Canyon, Utah

Joy and Shannon introduced us to the works of local artist, Lester Raymer.  What an eclectic, talented man! The Red Barn Studio Museum houses his woodwork, toy-making, stitchery, ceramics, painting, and more. Recycled materials shows up in a lot of his art.

Noah's Ark
Ark and animals carved by Lester Raymer

We had such a fun time catching up, remembering days past, and discussing our travels over wine and dinner. (BTW, Tipsy Tuesday friends, you will most likely get a sample of our version of Joy’s yummy ham balls.)

We are now home and looking forward to catching up on our hometown happenings. But first we must give Roger (our toad, not our friend) and The Wanderer baths.

"Roger"

Note to email subscribers, hitting reply to the email notification of a new post will send your reply out somewhere in cyber space and we will never know of your comments.  If you wish to comment, please do so in the comment section on the blog site or send a note using the email address you have in your contact list.