Goodbye Hudson, Hello Pensacola

  The end of April bought the close of another contract.  As much as we love the St Pete area, we always enjoy going back to the pristine white beaches of Pensacola.

We've already been very busy in Pensacola. As soon as we got here, we flew up to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, where we used to live where, hopefully, we will be buying a condo. More on that in the near future!!!

We were swimming out in the Gulf the other day, when people on the shore started pointing and before we knew what was happening, several stingrays swam within a few feet of us. To say it was extraordinary is an understatement. They are so beautiful and graceful, flying through the water. We were able to get a couple of pictures...not good ones, but they are pictures.

And then yesterday, we went to the Blue Angels practice. It's absolutely free and we never get tired of seeing them. And the Naval Aviation museum is also there....also free. I could spend days in there looking at all the airplanes.

 

 

 

 

Also right there is the Pensacola Lighthouse, recently reopened and supposedly haunted! After only 177 winding steps, you're at the top and the view is worth every terrifying moment.

 

 

 

 

By the way, our new address is:

330 Ft Pickens Rd , Pensacola Beach, FL   32561.

Come visit when you can.

Mom and Dad visit again!

We just finished a very special weekend visit from my mom and dad. Dad has pretty much decided they will visit wherever we go. We love having them here...always have such a good time. Michelle also drove over from Orlando and Amber came down from Tallahassee.

We started off Saturday by another great trip to Pass A Grille. It's always such a great feeling getting back. But the big event for the day was playing Dicecapades. If you can find it, get it. It's a game that has you doing a variety of things...answering questions, stacking dice, doing sit-ups, but I think this picture says it all.

Sunday, we all piled in the car again and went to Honeymoon Island. This was the first time we'd been there....Beautiful beaches and great shelling. We even saw some dolphins, so we felt like the day was complete.

We finished up the day at Tarpon Springs....Sponge capital of the world. Had a great Greek lunch at our favorite restaurant there and then a little shopping.

All in all. it was just a fun weekend! I don't think there's anything better that getting together with family and friends and laughing until your stomach hurts. It's so therapeutic.....

Swimming with the manatees

Last Saturday, we did something we've talked about doing for a long time. Just an hour north of here is Crystal River, which is home to more manatees than anywhere in the world and also the only place that you can legally swim with the manatees.

It was quite an experience! First squeezing into the form-fitting wetsuit then the cold boat ride out to the springs where the manatees like to hang around the warm water.

They are kind of hard to see because the water is a little murky, but we did spot a few. Here's the funny part. I had spotted one and was trying to get Jo's attention. Since she was snorkeling beside me, I patted her on the rear end, but she just ignored me, so I tried again. About the same time, someone started tapping me on the shoulder and I turned around and, lo and behold, there was Jo! I turned back around and the other swimmer was still there. Oops! I'm still not sure who I was patting, but at least no one complained.

There were a couple of manatees that swam right up to some of the people in our group. And Jo actually got to pet one and scratch it....They like to be scratched! I didn't get to touch a manatee. I think I did a little better.....

Just a reminder!

Just a reminder....You can view more pictures at our online album at http://picasaweb.google.com/ewerspix .

Spaceshuttle at night!

Spectacular! I'm so jealous, cause I didn't get to see it. Last week, the shuttle had a night launch, which was clearly visible clear over here on the west side of Florida.

Vist from Amber and Michelle

In late February, Amber drove down from Tallahassee and Michelle came over from Orlando and we spent a great weekend together. After going to an outside art show in Dunedin, we came back and got creative.........

Moving to Hudson

In mid-February, we also moved to Hudson, Florida, which is down near St Petersburg. This is also in the area of Pass A Grille, our very favorite place to live (so far). We've already been back 3 times! We just get a very special feeling when we're there.