A time for every season

We are in the last week of our Florida trip, and reflecting on all that we have been privileged to experience.  Larry discovered that the best parts of his vacation were free!  He loves the shelling on the beach in the morning, the power walks to the park, laying by the pool reading a book, and most especially the sunsets on the beach.  I could not agree more.

After Carol and Bill left, we saw the arrival of the dreaded tourists!!!  We now think of ourselves as fourth week Floridians and have no tolerance for newbies. It was President's weekend. The traffic increased ten fold, and the beach filled up with noise. The picture above was taken from our car and behind us traffic stretched for about 4 miles. BUT  A beautiful sunset and a glass of wine with someone you love can put the world right again.

We decided to spend Sunday reading our books by the pool.  It turned out to be harder than we thought.  Getting used to laying still and reading is hard for us.  

Another spectacular sunset!

 

 Monday, and we are back to the planning Fogels we were when we arrived.  We decided what we want to do before we leave and we planned our departure.  Then we power walked.  I went to the top of the causeway and took these pictures.  

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 Larry went through his favorite park and I caught him coming out at the end of his walk. 

We usually stop for coffee and a paper across the street.  This morning I took photos of clothes that are in the window of what I call "The Second Wife's Shop".  These are expensive clothes that I would not buy for myself but the second wife will have no problem purchasing.  Before I leave I will have to buy something there, so she doesn't get everything!                                              

 We decided to spend the day in St. Petersburg visiting the Chihuly Exhibit.  A truly visual experience that leaves me with a renewed appreciation of art in all its forms.  PS  Dale Chihuly loved his mother. I also picked up some ideas for painting with my budding artists in Dallas.  We are going to need alot of music for this.

St. Petersburg is a cultural mecca.  The city is perfectly placed on the Gulf of Mexico and all the architecture flows around the bay.  We stopped for lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants that border the water.  While I was people watching , I asked Larry to pick us out 20 years in the future.  He refused.  But I spied Aunt Jodie and I -  guess that's bad news for Uncle Bob and Larry!