Migrating north

Last evening we had a nice meal out at Chef Napoli's Restaurant in Inverness with Barbara & Jud.

This morning we headed north starting our trek homeward.  We are now at Fairfield Plantation Resort in Villa Rica GA.  It was cool when we left FL this morning but was only in the 30's when we arrived here late this afternoon.  Sure doesn't make me feel like kayaking right outside our door yet.  Hopefully it will warm up soon.

Inverness

Wed. we left for Inverness.  Sue brought her car with kayak & bike also (we left Dan home sick).  She took us to Weeki Wachee where we put in (took her car farther north so we only had to paddle one way) and did a nice paddle on the Weeki Wachee River.  Someday I'll have to go back and check out the mermaid show since I was interested in becoming one of the Weeki Wachee mermaids when I was in high school!

The water was such a beautiful shade of turquoise the whole way.  Saw lots of fish and some birds but no manatees.

Sue in her kayak.

Sue stayed overnight with Jud & Barbara also and on Thurs morning we did a bike ride north on the Withlacoochee Bike Trail before Sue left to go back home.  I rode 12.5 miles before I turned around and headed back (25.5 total) but Bruce & Barbara went to the end of the trail so they put in 37 miles.

Today Bruce and I did a paddle on a nearby lake.  We only stayed out for an hour since it was quite windy and temps started to drop.  We did find some areas where the wind wasn't too bad.

 Cypress trees growing out of the water.

 Calmer water back on here.

 Lots of lily pads in this area.

Getting back to the boat launch was choppy. 

At Sue & Dan's

On Sunday morning we arrived at Sue & Dan's in Oldsmar.  After lunch Sue, Bruce & I took a bike ride around their area.

 Bruce & Sue

Yesterday,  we all went on the Ream Wilson Bike Trail in Clearwater.  Real nice ride.

 Sue & Dan preparing to ride.

 Bruce sits under a "small" live oak tree.

 Sue rides through a tunnel of trees.

 Stopped at Saftey Harbour and saw manatees at the wharf.

 Dan enjoys the bench while we enjoy the manatees.

 Sue & Bruce looking for the manatees.

A huge old live oak tree in safety harbour.

 It makes me look small!  Bruce actually hit his head on one of the limbs overhanging the sidewalk.  Good thing he had his helmet on!

Did we tucker you out Bruce?

Today was rainy - Bruce got a haircut; we went out for lunch and then had a great pasta dinner.  Some other friends of Dan & Sue (Frank & Judy) joined us.  Played some cards after.  Fun times.  Tomorrow we head to Inverness to stay with Barbara & Jud.

Almost packed up

Our last couple of days in Orlando have been very nice.  Yesterday we went back to the Butler chain of lakes and paddled an area we hadn't been in yet.

 Ospreys abound and we saw a few with fish dangling from their talons.

Another mansion.

One of the many sculptures at this mansion.

Today we did a bike ride in the St Cloud area in the morning and then went to have lunch with Bonnie & Henry (& Sherman) at Indian Harbour Beach where they are staying.  Taught them how to play Hand & Foot card game.

When we got back this evening we did some more packing.  Some more to do in the morning before we check out.  Then we head over to Oldsmar to spend a few days with Dan & Sue.

Bonnet Creek

This is Bonnet Creek Resort that we are staying at.  Pictures are taken from our balcony.

 View to our left.

 View to our right.

 View straight across.

View straight down.  This path goes all the way around.  We are on the top floor of this tower (7 floors)

Today we did another bike ride in the Celebration area - went early so we wouldn't be riding in the heat of the day.  In the afternoon we played some miniature golf here at the resort and I just finished watching Disney fireworks from our balcony.  I've watched them almost every night.  They have them twice a night - once at Disney and once at Epcot.  Beautiful!
Lots of kids and their families here this week (lots of schools out up north).  Can hear lots of laughter and fun with the sliding door open.

Bruce back in the swing of things!

We took Teri & Zoe to the airport to head back to their home on Tues morning.  We enjoyed their stay. Bruce & I then just relaxed around here in the afternoon and gave Bruce a chance to do some more recuperation.  

Wednesday we went to an owner's workshop breakfast - no we didn't buy any more points!  Yes the breakfast was good and yes, they did try to sell us some more!   The afternoon was beautiful so we went to the boat launch at Butler Chain of Lakes and because it was calm we were able to paddle on Lake Butler.  

 The homes are beautiful on this lake.

 See the blue roof - it is all one house! (Mansion)

New one being constructed.

Was a great paddling day!

Bruce not feeling well

Bruce went to bed last night not feeling well and spent most of today in bed (cold, sniffles, cough).

It was Teri & Zoe's last full day here and they had no parks to go to so they made tie dye shirts at activity center in the morning.

Tied shirt (will be Mickey Mouse when finished)

 Zoe has her gloves on and is ready to start dying.

 Now the shirts have to dry.

After lunch we went back to Downtown Disney.

 See my crown - I must be a Princess!

 Zoe took our picture.

Zoe gets a last ride on a Merry -go - round.