February 11-13, 2014. Kayaking, A Warm Welcome, An Author and Golf.

On our last day at Fort de Soto we went kayaking. We had rented from the same outfit last year and so knew that there was lots to see in the bay. The water was calm, the temperature was around 75 and so we decided to go out for a couple of hours. Although there were no dolphins in sight, there were plenty of fish jumping and lots of birds to entertain us. I was particularly taken with a couple of osprey guarding their nest. As I paddled closer to their tree they squawked and flapped to warm me not to come any closer.

                                

After kayaking we drove across the Sunshine Skyway and were somehow reminded of a restaurant that someone recommended to us. Fortunately we came upon it, stopped, of course and had a delicious seafood lunch. We learned last year that it is wise to share an entree as the portions here are rather large. This restaurant's portions were no exception.

As we approached our site at Venice Ranch Park we noticed a beautiful plant in our driveway. We knew who it was from before opening the card...our friends at Venice Ranch are such thoughtful people! 

 

On our Wednesday morning walk we struck up a conversation with a woman we met on the walkway in Venice Palms. To make a long story short, we ended up sitting in her living room talking about her books. She is an award winning children's book author. One of Joan Hiatt Harlow's books takes place in Newfoundland at the time of the tidal wave in 1929. Since my father and grandfather lived through this event, she and I were able to exchange tidbits of information. Before we left, she gave me a copy of THUNDER FROM SEA which I will read and return to her before we leave the area.

In the afternoon, we joined the Venice Ranch golfing gang and played 18 holes at Bird Bay. A cappuccino at Janet's after the round, a thunder and lightening storm to watch, a salad for dinner, a look at some Olympic events on TV and then sleep.

Today we did laundry, caught up on emails, got some groceries, and I managed to squeeze in a much needed haircut.