Home Sweet Home

Who would have thought with all the running around and planning for this upcoming wedding (a week away), we would find time to buy a house.
But we DID!!
It is bank owned, actually Freddie Mac. Needs some cosmetic work....cleaning, painting, replacement of carpet, all new ceiling lights. But mostly in good condition. Was built in 2006, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a den and covered screened lanai. It is located south east of Venice, Florida, in a city called North Port. The area has a lot of new construction (both commercial and residential)just within the past 5-10 years. We have no neighbors on either side or across the street. And just one home directly behind the house. There are a few homes down the street and scattered through out the "sub". Very quiet area. Now we are waiting to do the home inspection and praying nothing will be found (like Chinese drywall) to ruin this deal. This house hunting has been a process! Not like they show on HGTV! Hasn't been all smiles and a happy time. Working with the government, on their own time clock, has been slow and frustrating for us. But in the end, we think we got a great deal.
Now we are asking for volunteers to help paint and clean, will trade for free room and board within 15 miles to the Gulf Coast! Any takers out there?

The Calm Before the Storm

Last week we spent the entire time with our grand daughter, Kailey. She was on spring break and she still thinks we are fun to hang out with! We did some bike riding, swimming, the movies, typical "family" stuff. She gets all the attention and mostly, everything she asked for. But the tears came when it was time to return her home.

Andy and I have been real busy looking at more banked-owned homes down around the Venice area. Again, we put in several offers and then play the waiting game. These banks and the government (Freddie Mac) do take their time in responding back. Keeping our fingers crossed and will keep you updated.

We are now down to the wire with the youngest daughters wedding. Only 10 days! And every day I wake up thinking of another thing I need to do. Hair appointments made...check. Reserved table and chairs for rehearsal dinner in the back yard...check. Finalized the flouriest and photographer...check. Andy's clothes...check. Nancy's dress...???? I have bought four dresses! Returned two. And still can't decide. May need to make another trip to the mall. I know Andy is counting the days until it is all over! To him, nothing is a big deal; it'll all get done!

No great pictures to show. Really haven't seen anything exciting to even have the camera out, except for this Florida sandhill crane that kept taking ownership of our patio. These subspecies cranes are non-migratory and do not seem afraid of humans. They are protected under Florida law because they are becoming less common and are threatened by habitat destruction. They are often seen in residential yards.

Back in Florida

Crossed the Florida state line!
We are heading back to the Tampa area for several reasons: to spend spring break with our grand daughter, Kailey; I have last minute "stuff" to do for my daughters wedding at the end of the month; and also, we want to look at houses in the Venice area.
Never knew how long the Florida panhandle was driving east on I-10 from the Alabama state line. It will take us 3 days to get to Tampa! We only drive about 150 miles a day now. Just about four hours at a time. Not rushing or pushing ourselves. Interesting, most of the traffic going west on I-10 and north on I-75 are RV/motor homes. Must be those snowbirds heading home. The temperature is quite warm here....85 degrees!
Passed over the famous Historic Suwanee River, but there is no river access from the interstate and no mention of "tourist" activities on the Internet or in the AAA travel book. I thought it would make a great photo-op! So today, we have no photos.
Andy is getting tired of driving around the U.S. I think he needs a break. It is "work" planning our route, finding a place to camp, activities for us to do, etc. We both know we don't want to be "full-time-travelers in an R.V". I am too much a home body. We both also love to work around the house, decorating and renovating. We kinda miss that, but we will have our work cut out for us back in Michigan fixing up our cottage in Mio this summer!! Planning to keep the camper and take side trips, a few weeks at a time, here and there. But we are not done yet! We will be in Florida until May 2nd, then will head to Atlanta and southern Georgia, then over to the Outer Banks and make our way up to the D.C. area for Andy's daughter, Jennifer, graduation from grad school. Unfortunately, Andy still has another six weeks on the road!

Andy's New Pet

We spent another day in Gulf Shores. On Easter Sunday, the weather was real overcast and breezy. We didn't really enjoy the beach and thought one more day of being a beach bum would satisfy us. Well, today we both got fried! It didn't take long and it was still cloudy and temperature of only 70 degrees. We went back to our campground and decided to read by the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The "camp mascot" became real friendly with Andy. This is the biggest wild pig we have ever seen. He could barely walk but that tail never stopped wagging, even while it was napping by Andy's leg.

We also saw three dolphins swimming and diving right off the bank in front of us. Some how they got away from the gulf and now trapped with all the barges and small motor crafts sailing by.

Tomorrow we head out to Florida. We both decided we need a break from all this "vacation". It is a lot of work trying to have fun. Looking forward to seeing our grand daughter, who will be spring break next week and I am sure spending most of the time with us!

Gulf Shores, Alabama

After we left New Orleans, we drove straight through to Alabama and the Gulf Shores.

The creation of the Intracoastal Waterway in 1933 led to the formation of Pleasure Island. The island's Gulf Shores has attracted vacationers with its beaches, fishing, and golf courses. And we vacationers have arrived during Spring Break. The streets and beaches are packed with mostly young adults and some families!
The State Park here has 468 camping sites and they are completely full. But we are staying at another RV park right on the Intracoastal Waterway. Very scenic and quiet. A lot of activity on the water, right outside our window. Motor boats, sail boats and barges coming and going. Even a dock for fishing. Relaxing!

Garden District & Lafayette Cemetry No. 1

We drove back into New Orleans and parked on a side street at the Garden District. These fine old homes preserve traces of the era of cotton and sugar empires. The grand antebellum plantations just dominate the landscape and this section of town is rightly named for the lush estates. This district owes its luxuriant vegetation to a 1816 flood caused by the overflowing Mississippi River. A rich deposit of silt created higher ground, a very desirable feature for future development. The area has thriving magnolia and oak trees, a variety of building styles including Gothic, Greek Revival and Renaissance, homes are embellished with iron lacework, a hallmark of the New Orleans architecture.

In the middle of the neighborhood stands Commander's Palace, one of New Orleans' finest dining destinations and a catalyst for the career of popular chef Emeril Lagasse. Across the street is a dreary brick wall that surrounds one of the "cities of the dead" that New Orleans is known for, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. The cemetery was established in 1833. The tombs are as graciously proportioned as the mansions built in the neighborhood. These old cemeteries all have tombs built above ground because water filled the graves before the coffins could be lowered. Unfortunately, the cemeteries have become victims of their own architecture; the lavish tombs provide cover for the disreputable and vandalism is not uncommon. But they are a very cool place to walk through and look at the history and only imagine....
We then rode the St. Charles Avenue streetcar (not trolley) into the French Quarter and the river front. New Orleans offers free ferry rides across the Mississippi River to two smaller communities. Really not much on the other side of the river, but it was a nice relaxing stroll down the muddy waters.