Easter Sunday

Better late than never.  I am still getting used to Clif having his new camera.  He is having so much fun that he takes oodles of pictures.  Usually well over 100 each use!

In any event, I have finally accessed some of our Easter pictures.  We had a relaxing day with Diane and Jimmy in Winter Haven.  Stephen joined us which was a pleasant surprise.  It's a treasure when we have time with him. :)

After lunch, we spent the afternoon at Bok Tower in Lake Wales.  It was tranquil, and a perfect way to spend the day.













Stephen had bought a book on One Tank Day Florida Day Trips.  We were browsing through to see what points of interested we'd like to adventure to.



As we were driving away from Diane's house, I commented that the clouds looked like distant snow-capped mountains.  I wanted Clif to pull over to take pictures.  Well, as impatient as I was, I pulled out his camera, put on a lens, and passed the camera to Stephen in the front seat to get some shots before the look left.  As Stephen said, "and who says there's no mountains in Florida!"





These mountains circled around Winter Haven.  It looked like we were driving through the valley.  So cool if you have an imagination!!!



Even the sunset over the distant imaginary mountain.  It was gorgeous beyond words.
All I can say is...God's magnificent artistry. :)

Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida

Clif continues to practice his photography skills, so today we ventured to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.  We spent the entire day and the weather was most cooperative.  The animals were active in the morning and later in the afternoon.  Many took an afternoon siesta.  I would like to say here is a taste of what Clif took, but he did so well, I decided to show ALL the good ones!



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First up was the Macaw fly over at 10:15.  Not bad for how fast the birds fly!



Then over to the African Safari in where you can take a ride around the exhibits.





Once off the Safari, we walked through the exhibits for a slower pace and found this Bird of Paradise.



Fast forward to our return to Africa before our departure.
Decided to try a picture myself.



These were the afternoon pictures.  Clif had figured out a few tricks so we ventured back to give them a try.  His tricks turned out some nice shots.




Next, we ventured through the Florida Adventure.





I had Clif take a picture of this alligator because it reminded me of the one we saw and didn't get a picture of when we were hiking the Black Bear Wilderness Area.







Then onto Asia...





The sloth bear.  He kind of reminded me of one of the bears at the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney!



Next up... the primates.











Last stop, Australia.



A wallaby.



The emu.



They had the petting zoo in Australia.  This goat was just too cute.

We had a wonderful day observing so many amazing animals.  :)

They're Home

I was telling Michael and Valerie that I couldn't believe I didn't get a picture of them before they left!  How awful.  But, good news...they sent a picture of them in front of their new home.

 

I want to thank everyone for their prayers of having a safe journey.  The prayers were answered.  All praise and glory be to God in Heaven through Jesus Christ! :)

Wisconsin Bound..here they come!

Monday, we spend our last day together as a family before Michael, Valerie, and Chloe headed off for Madison.  Clif had to go into work for an overnight shift which was a blessing in disguise because we were able to enjoy a wonderful lunch at Colibri Mexican Restaurant in Baldwin Park.  This also allowed him to be home to send them off this morning with last minute hugs. :)



We had landscaped our backyard over Spring Break.  Thought it would be a good photo set for our pictures.  Chloe is 10 1/2 months old.



Stephen, Amber, and Chloe.



Grandma, Grandpa, and Chloe.



Chloe is safely nestled in her car seat ready to go.



The U-Haul and Subaru are ready as well.  Blessings have been prayed upon the drivers, passengers, and vehicles.  May God and His Powers of the Holy Spirit entrusted through Jesus, Our Blessed Mother Mary, her Most Chaste Spouse Joseph, and Guardian Angels guide them safely to their new home.  They were on the road by 7:15 this morning.



Their home they purchased last month awaits to shelter them.  Love and Peace will abound.  God bless you!  See you this summer!  Love, hugs, and kisses. :)

Bubbles

 

I spent the day with Chloe while Michael and Valerie packed their apartment.

Among the many things we did, enjoying bubbles was one of them. :)

It is in simplicity we find joy.

Precious Time

Michael, Valerie, and Chloe move to Madison, WI in 12 more days.  We are taking every opportunity of the precious time we have before our visits become less frequent.



A couple of Sundays ago, we took an afternoon and enjoyed some time at Baldwin Park.



No motorized boats are allowed on the lake, so sailing is a popular pastime.



Michael and I enjoyed the scenery while Dad enjoyed his new hobby!



She's 10 months old now.  My how time flies!

Tosohatchee State Preserve

Typically Florida's dry season with gorgeous weather is December, January, and February.  But this year, it has been a very wet season!  Today is March 1, and the weather today was like it usually is in the prior 3 months. 

Clif and I decided to take advantage of the glorious day and ventured out to Tosohatchee State WMA in east Orange County for a hike.  We didn't have in mind any particulars other than just enjoy a day outdoors.



We started our hike from parking area 29 which is the northern most parking area.  We thought we'd complete a loop by combining a variety of trails.





It wasn't long before we were on the Florida Trail.  We took a small detour and headed north because the creek was in view from the trail that we were going to be taking south.





It is going through areas like this that you are grateful for a well marked trail.  This is the view directly in front of me...



....and this is the view to my side.



No sooner had I taken my pictures, and Clif calls out for me to turn around. 



His side view area was a denser than where I was standing.



After assessing our map, we began calculating.  We had already hiked 2.5 miles in just over an hour.  We were only half way along the Florida Trail before it intersected with Powerline Road to head back creating the loop.  But in the woods directly to the right of this picture we could see we were paralleling the road.  We decided to ditch the marked trail, cut across the grassy area and start our loop back.  I am glad we did because as you can see 2 1/2 miles in a straight line looks endless!!!  Can you imagine  how long this road would look if we continued another 2 miles through the woods before it officially came onto this road?



After hiking on the road about a mile, we decided to take another trail heading north so we'd be back in the shade.  It would eventually tie into another trail we could take west and catch the road that would then take us back to parking area 29.



I was relieved to be back in the canopy.  It was about 10 degrees cooler in there.



From all the rain we had been getting, the resurrection fern was fully resurrected!

 

Clif found some interesting shots to take.







Once back to the truck, we drove down Powerline Road to the St. John's River.  Along the way, I spied this gator in the canal.



Some views of the St. John's River.







Next stop, Peek a Boo Pond.



Last stop Lake Charlie.



Lake Charlie was created when the 528 was constructed.  Dirt was needed to build the road and this is where they got it from.  The depression left in the ground soon filled with rainwater and became a lake.  The Wildlife Management team stocks the lake with fresh water fish.

We had an enjoyable day.  It was quite exhausting!