Autumn in the South



Florida! 





Sittin' Here Restin' My Bones...



Well, yes, of course it is a little warmer here in Florida than in New England.  Did you think I took a wrong turn or something?  I've been in the state since the last week in October, and the weather has reminded me of a Vermont summer.  My brother Terry, who joined me in northwest Florida (the "panhandle"), and I spent many pleasant days at St Andrews State Park near Panama City Beach and later visiting members of his extended family in Sopchoppy (south of Tallahassee).  We fished, biked, cooked out over a campfire and found a nice local place to watch the World Series outdoors on a big screen TV.  

 



Sopchoppy Campground







When Do We Do Our Best?

It was during this period of time that his
grandaughter, Jeanna, was running for her high school cross countryteam in District, Region, and later State competitions.  She ran her fastest race of the year at the Regional meet,  which made her family very  proud.  It also reminded me how often we just don't know what we ourselves are capable of accomplishing in life given the right set of circumstances or conditions.


From Sopchoppy, we drove the motorhome (and Terry's car) to Sebastian Inlet State Park on the Atlantic Coast, about halfway between Jacksonville and Miami.  This park is a very popular fishing spot on a barrier island, and includes access to both the ocean and to the Indian River lagoon.  Day and night, anglers sought jacks, Spanish mackerel, flounder, bluefish, sheepshead, snook, and many other species.  My largest 'catch' was a 6 ft stingray that fortunately broke off my line on the rocks at the base of the fishing pier, while I was looking around for advice!



Sebastian Inlet Fishing Jetty

  

Biked to Presbyterian Church

There was a small protestant church only a few miles away (biking distance) that provided a comfortable home one Sunday morning.



On November 17th, I drove the motorhome south 40 miles to Terry's home in Port St. Lucie.  The following day I dropped it off at a large RV dealer for repair (damaged side compartment due to an encounter with a large redwood stump in CA in August) and a furnace heating problem.  They 'promised' it will be ready for me in early January.  In the meantime, brother Terry and I will try to get in some quality time outside of his golfing and my 2015 motorhome trip planning. There is a very nice Saturday morning Farmers Market (with music!),and a large United Methodist Church in the area for Sunday 'festivities'.

 

Ft Pierce Farmers Market



I hope all of you had a nice Thanksgiving.  I'm sure we all gave the Lord thanks for his blessings for our homes, food, health, friends, church communities, and families.  Despite all of the problems comfronting us, I'm sure that we all have a lot to be thankful for.  Chad, my son, called on Thanksgiving evening from the West Coast, and we had a rich conversation. 

Several of you may see me during my short 12-day visit to VT in early December, primarily for doctor and dentist appointments...but I also hope to get in some visiting (and skiing)!  Then I will return to Florida and my brother, and await Paula's return later in January, when we will begin the second half of our 12-month motorhome adventure. 

Be Safe, and May God Bless

Love, Tim