Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  2013 was quite a roller coaster year for me.  As you recall I set out to cross off a bucket list item in March.

That was definitely the high point of my year.  I can't begin to describe how amazing it felt to actually do something on my list that I really felt I'd never be able to attempt due to money, time, and obligation restraints.  True, my dream didn't last long but I can say that I gave it my best.  Dying in the mountains from breathing distress is not how I picture myself leaving this world (Though dying in the mountains is preferable to wasting away in a nursing home. We'll just move that time frame to sometime in the distant future, 'kay?). This year I hope to hit more trails and maybe knock out a section of the AT. Now to decide which section.....

Since my hike-for-six-or-seven-months plan didn't pan out I had the opportunity to travel a bit. I love to travel and see knew places/people/food.  While these trips didn't lead to meeting new people, they did give me a chance to visit with good friends from college that I don't get to see nearly enough.

New Orleans

Ville Platte

Tampa

I also was able to finally meet a good friend of mine I met online a few years ago.  She and her husband passed through Louisville on their way to their vacation destination.

See mom. Who says internet friends aren't real friends?

Which leads me to another big change in 2013.  After losing my job (with those horrid people) in 2012, my old school in Louisville called and offered me my old teaching position back.  So in August I packed up a few of my belongings, my dog and returned to Louisville. 

As much as I love country living (I do prefer the quiet and solitude), moving back to Louisville has felt like 'coming home'.  I love that I can go to a grocery and easily find tahini paste (and not be told that I'm eating 'Terrorist Food' by the store clerk).  I love my neighborhood (though more neighborhood eateries or stores would be make it better).

And last but not least, I love my school.  Because something like this: 

Reggio Inspired Classroom

Is so much more inviting than this:

Now to look ahead. For 2014 my goals or resolutions are too:

1) Become stronger and healthier.

5K Mud Run anyone?

2) Take at least one trip/vacation to somewhere I have never been.

I really want to use mine this year.

3) Pick up a craft/hobby again.

Surprisingly I CAN make this.

4) Write more.

Once a month.  Once a month. That is my goal.

5) Learn something new.

Happy New Year folks!  

Neighborhood Photo Tour

I love this tree!

Old Church

Side view of mansion

Front view of mansion

Detail of above house.

Hard to see the gargoyle and peacock stained glass windows.

This house was too big to fit on my screen.....

Actually, this is just a teeny tiny sliver of the amazing houses in my new neighborhood.  I wish I lived in one as nice as this. Instead I live in the ugly stepsister house to the beautiful ladies....LOL

Tampa!

Last November an old college friend of mine finally crossed one of the items off her bucket list--at long last she was relocating to the beach.  Since I have so much free time (and the flight was dirt cheap) I decided to go for a visit as I haven't seen the ocean since 2005.  I went to Orlando for a educational conference and one of the days we snuck off to Cocoa Beach.  I spent one day at Padre Island in 2004 and before that it was a family vacation to Orlando in the late '80's.  Not a lot actually happened on this vacation, so this post will mostly be photos and some description. Y'all like photos don't you?

My favorite part of any long distance vacation that involves air travel is the airplane ride itself.  I love to fly. Growing up I wanted to be an astronaut (my eyesight nixed that dream).  I splurged on an window seat for the flight down so that I could spent the entire flight gazing in awe at the wonder below me.

"Fly the friendly skies...."

I love aerial horizon shots.

Swampy looking country somewhere South of TN.

First view of the Gulf Of Mexico

About 5 minutes before we landed in St. Petersburg.

After landing at the St. Pete airport we drove over to the quiet little town of Pass-A-Grille for lunch by the ocean followed by a long walk on the beach.  Naturally I had to wade...It must be part of my DNA that if there is water I must immerse myself in it.

 

Had my first ever conch fritters.  Very tasty!

I also saw 4 rays in the water but couldn't get a clear shot.

View of the Don Caesar Hotel

Sunset at my friends apartment complex on the 1st night.

On my second day there I chilled at her apartment while she had to work.  I took a lovely walk on the complex grounds in the morning, and that evening we went to visit the Pier in St. Petersburg.  It permanently closed on the Friday of that week and is scheduled for demolition.  A new 'fresh' project is in the works, but has been met with a lot of opposition.

I did manage to see a manatee swirl that morning, but no manatee.

The pelicans walking up to the Pier were the best part.

Honestly,  I wasn't impressed.  It smelled BAAAAAD.

My third day (Friday) there was a dud day.  My allergies were in meltdown mode and all I wanted to do was die.  I vegged on her couch all day and then we cooked out for dinner.  On Saturday we started bright and early as she and her boyfriend had a 5K they were running and then he had a 1K(?) swim afterwards.  We trekked down to Clearwater beach...lovely white sand beach by the way.

(I've never been to any race, but this seemed really disorganized to me.)
Everyone on the at the starting line.

While my friends raced, I entertained myself by wading (told you I had to get in the water) and snapping water photos.  I really would like to upgrade cameras and take some actual classes on photography at some point.

I like this view point.

Afterwards we had lunch on the beach and then drove back so my friends could shower.  Then it was off on a short roadtrip inland to Lake Wales, Florida and Bok Sanctuary.  Bok has the highest elevation in the state of Florida, 298 ft above sea level.  I come from hill country y'all...that's not very high at all.  Anyways, Bok Sanctuary has this magnificient carillon (like a pipe organ but instead of having pipes it has church bells attached to the keys and pedals) and is surrounded by about 50 acres of lush manicured gardens.  Serene, beautiful and idlliyc.  My first view of the tower made me think of Saruman's tower in Lord of The Rings.

There were tons of orchids of all shapes and sizes.

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No, this isn't a real gator.

Very cool door.

Soon the afternoon storms chased us out of the garden and instead of letting up shortly as they had all week, the ran continued to pour in sheets the rest of the evening.  We stopped for dinner in Ybor City at the Tampa Bay Brewing Co (featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives) and then snorkled home.  Sunday dawned bright and beautiful and after finally getting out the door (someone...not me...was a cranky snail so we didn't get to the beach until 11 am.)  We spent the afternoon on the beach and I enjoyed finally getting to immerse my self in the water.  I saw several schools of minnows and larger fish (looked to be the adult version of the minnows) and even a black and white striped fish.  I've never seen fish in the ocean before, so it was quite a treat.

Yes, I'm getting pink...

After an exhausting afternoon chillaxin' at the beach we headed in for a quiet dinner at home and then an early bedtime, I had to be at the airport by 5:30 the next morning.  After a bumpy flight home I walked out of the Lexington Airport to the blissful 60 degree morning with low humidity. After 90+ with 80+% humidity in Florida I thought I had died and gone to heaven.  Hopefully it won't be another eight years before I go to the beach, but I'm glad I don't live there.