People Pictures

Leo and Ruby having fun with Mom in the pool

Getting ready for the tram ride at Shark Valley where we saw MUCH wildlife but of course no sharks!

There is nothing like a late sleep in at Grandma and Grandpa's house

How do you like these extra special Peeps?

Grandpa, Leo and Ruby wave from the cart as they ride and Dad, Mom and Grandma walk

Those waves at Clam Pass were so much fun

As you can see, Elspeth loves the beach

It is always good to have one last family photo before heading home

Kids' meals at the Fish House are served on frisbee

Mary and Audrey in the kayak and Henry, Liam and Dad on the paddle boards--a first

This morning pictures are worth a thousand words.  I would say fun in the sun in Florida.

It has been a blur!

Fort Jefferson is 70 miles off the coast of Key West.  It is the center of Dry Tortugas National Park

This national park is 95% water and in the back yard of Miami

It took a 2+ hour boat ride to arrive here

Shark Valley is FULL of wildlife

I mean really full

Birds are every where in Fort Jefferson

4 of these 25 ton cannons still sit on top of Fort Jefferson, they shoot a 450 pound ball 3 miles!!!!!

The last 2 weeks have been fun, fun, fun.  It all started with Aaron, Amy and family coming on the 13th.  They left on the 17, Grandma and Grandpa got two days to catch their breath and then John, Mary and family arrived.  Oh my with a birthday, Shark Valley, Clam Pass, the shuttle boat to the beach, swimming, Royal Scoop ice cream and more it was great.  As John and family headed down Wiggins Bay Dr towards the north Terry and I started to pack for a three day trip to the Florida Keys.  We stayed at Leo's camp ground in Key West on Wednesday and Thursday and arrived home again last night.  We will fill today with a trip to Immokalee Casino where we will take in a free polo match, a first for me.  AFTER that it will be several dr. appt over the next couple of weeks and packing for the trip north which will see us leave here May 20th.  With Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park and Biscayne National Park we were able to add #35,36 and 37 to our passport national park book. On our way home we will take in Great Smoky National Park in Tennessee, then in July it will be Isle Royale in Lake Superior.
We enjoyed Dry Tortugas and Biscayne more than we thought.  They were great.  Dry Tortugas has so so much history and Biscayne has so much water life one could spent days there.  Sixteen million bricks were shipped from Florida area and Maine area to build Fort Jefferson. 
No more FP coffee.

I missed it

Leo celebrated his 7th birthday, April 15, while he was here.  For the day we swam, went to Shark Valley and ate the cake that Mom and Grandma Terry made.  As one can see it was an alligator which Leo saw many when we took the tram at Shark Valley.  Oh my goodness, Leo is getting so big and with his age he adds at least a thousand questions each day!

Good to go

Josh and baby Neil on the left, Aaron and Cynthia on the right

Going through pictures I came across this of Aaron, Cynthia and neighbors Josh and Neil.  It was taken in the spring of 1981.
I had a Dr. appt Tuesday and my wrist is good to go.  The strength is wanting but that will come in time.  I did play tennis Wednesday and it became tired but was fine.  Now my game, well "rusty" may be the best description but it was fun.  I will be out on the court again today.  Not much action on the court the next two weeks.  Aaron/Amy and family will be coming Sunday and leaving Thursday, John/Mary and family will be coming a week from Sunday and staying until Wednesday and then Terry and I will spend 3 days in Key West as we take in two national parks. 
Terry and I continue to use some of our time to read.  I am currently reading the "Bully Pulpit".  I have found it fascinating to read about TR and Taft, their friendship, their falling out and then all the politics in that era.  As I read about politics today in the paper and then read about it 100+ years ago things have not changed a whole lot.  The country, well it certainly has changed.
FP is gone and it is time for a couple of hard boiled eggs.

Summer almost seems to be here

The last few days have reminded me of summer.  Temps have been in the mid 80's and it has been sunny. It sounds like it has been a far cry from what St. Paul MN is experiencing. 
I had, what I think, is my last PT appt yesterday.  My right wrist is feeling pretty good and I am expecting the Dr. to give me a passing mark when I see him on Tuesday.  He really HAS to as I have a tennis match scheduled for Wednesday.  Of course I would cancel if he says NO.  I was a bit disappointed yesterday as I felt the strength in my right hand was not what I expected.  On a squeeze test my left was 105 and my right was 55.  It should be 110 or so as I am right handed and it should be more than my left.  The PT guy said it will just take time to get the strength back so I should not be concerned. 
Even though it is only April 5 it looks like things will be getting a bit more busy now.  Aaron and family next Sunday, John and family the Sunday after that, Key west 3 day trip to take in 3 national parks after that and then it is time to start to think about heading north.  We continue to look towards the summer which will be full of camping and traveling. 
I just finished a book that would be interesting to anyone who is interested in the history of ND and MN.  It is "LINCOLN, LITTLE CROW, AND THE BEGINNING OF THE FRONTIER'S END" by Scott Berg.  I found it a very very good read.
Time to savor the last drop of FP and get the walking shoes on.

Happy 9th Birthday Liam

Liam loves to read and he is an excellent reader too

Liam on the left, you would not fit in Wallace's crate today!

Happy birthday Liam.  You are growing up so so fast and the things you do and the things you learn everyday are amazing.  Have a great day.