Well, it’s the end of our summer away and we just left to start our journey back to Pittsburgh – I have to say that I am READY to be home and see friends and family and be in our own house! I LOVE Pittsburgh!
. HOME SWEET HOME!
In the last post, I shared a little of what we do in Florida and the beautiful water, sunsets, storms, etc! We just continued to do the same things over the past weeks, but in addition to that we had some “company” come to hang out with us and we also had a tropical storm – “Debby” came by!
Ken and Laura came for a few days from Atlanta, and we always have such a great time with them – I think they love it as much as we do – we made the most of our three days that we had together – boating and floating in the water, swimming, scalloping, and going to our favorite place – Rainbow River!
And of course we had fun going out to dinner at some great places! We found a new seafood place called The Florida Cracker and it was AMAZING!
After Ken and Laura left, we had two days to “turn the condo around” next door to get it ready for more guests! Jim and Tonya Weimer came to visit for three days and we did the same fun things with them! The only thing we couldn’t do is go scalloping – they closed the season early because they SAY there was a bacteria in the water that made them “iffy” to eat – We think the real reason is that there were SO many people at the beginning of the season and they over fished the scallops! I would believe this because the first two days we went scalloping, we got TONS and then every time after that, we would only get about 40-50 – they were definitely “picked over” …anyway, whatever the reason, we did not get to show that fun activity to Jim and Tonya – but there is always next year!
We love having company and showing people around the area and having them just jump right in (literally) and do what we do! We took Jim and Tonya to Rainbow River also – saw lots of wildlife!
After everyone went home, we had two more weeks before heading back, and we did have a tropical storm come through – DEBBY – we are so thankful that it wasn’t anything worse – it’s pretty cool, actually, to look out the window at the river and the Gulf and see the storms come – the wind, the rain and the lightning!!! But at night when we were sleeping, it was a little unsettling to hear it all against the windows! All was well and we had no issues – some water in the parking garage and some palm tree branches down, but that’s it – praise God! We always know it could be way worse!
Before we left, we made one more trip to the Rainbow River with our friends there in Florida – it was a PERFECT day for the river and I just couldn’t get enough of the water and the snorkeling – it’s incredible – words and even pictures just don’t do the beauty of it justice – it’s crystal clear with springs bubbling up from the sand, and fish and turtles and ducks and birds.. – AND…
AN OTTER!
and here is the otter in motion!
Oh, AND….
The water temperature is 74 degrees – BRRRRRR – so the good thing about the little alligators is that they HATE that cold water so they never come out into the river where we swim (I’m telling you all that in case anyone comes to visit in the future and we take you to the Rainbow river! Haha) – they are just there sunbathing in the grass that lies on top of the water!
We packed up everything and headed out to make our way back home – we are stopping for two nights in the panhandle of Florida, then to see cousins in Alabama, one night in Chattanooga to see two of our favorite gospel singers, then to Gatlinburg for a couple of days and then back home!
For all of you Pittsburgh friends and family, we have missed you and can’t wait to be back to see you all!!!!
Thanks once again for coming along with us this summer! It means so much that you want to read this! I love doing it and hope you love being part of it!
Until next time…
Click those ruby slippers three times and you wind up in …. Kan… I mean Pittsburgh??? What??😉😉😉
haha!
What a fabulous summer! Thanks so much for taking us along on your adventures! The scenery has been beautiful and so fun to see so many special people!
Thanks for taking the time to read !!!
That sky over the water is amazing!!! Enjoy your route home – so happy to get to see you soon!
The storm pictures are great, but don’t adequately give people the sense of being there….the sounds of the wind and the pelting rain.. those you have to experince!
Your photos are so amazing!! So glad that storm was just fun to watch and not any worse! Ken and I definitely love being in Florida as much as you guys do! Scalloping, Rainbow River, boating, riding the jet skis, just hanging in the gulf, and even the pool is ALL a blast! Doing it all with great friends…well it just doesn’t get better than that! Going home will be great! Thanks for taking us along on your grand adventures!!
So glad Debby wasn’t a concern for you. You saw a lot of wildlife, but the otter was the best. Wow! Godspeed home!
the otter was cute!
We enjoyed our time with you! Home is home…so get cozy and see you when you pop in again.
Love you!
we had a blast together too!!! already looking forward to our next Rainbow River triP!
I mean, the whole USA looks amazing but FL is still my fav! Your pics just confirm it for me again! Can’t wait til YOURE HOME!!!!!!!
I KNOW Florida is your favorite!!!! It sure it pretty isn’t it!
One soon you have awesome pics! Are you really sure the alligators don’t go in the water?
Looking forward to seeing you. I’ve been on your street more this summer than you were.🤣
Once again you have awesome pics! Are you really sure the alligators don’t go in the water?
Looking forward to seeing you. I’ve been on your street more this summer than you were.🤣
I’m sure they don’t go where we swim or I would NOT do it!!!!
I had a great time “traveling” with you and seeing your photos of the magnificent skies, landscapes and fun sights! Enjoy your last couple of days coming home. Welcome back to Pittsburgh!
Thanks – can’t wait to be home!
Great adventure this summer. Thanks for sharing! Safe travels back home!
THANK YOU!
thanks for sharing your adventures with us! Love that you take us along.
you are welcome and i love that you come along!
Your hospitality was amazing! Tonya and I loved visiting you guys! May God bless you and provide you a hedge of protection on your journey home to the Burgh.
We had a blast too! i hope you’ll come back!
We just passed you on I-79 on our our way to Pittsburgh. You have a awesome Airstream.
I wish you the best on your travels.
SO COOL!!!! Thank you!
You are a great photographer! We miss yins already!
Just got caught up on all your posts. To say God’s works are amazing and beautiful is an understatement!!! Your photos are fantastic!! So glad you had such a wonderful summer traveling (including the visits with family and friends) but I am SO GLAD you are home!!!!