God Bless The Broken Road That Lead Me Straight To Vero Beach

Even though we visited Jim and Cindy in Atlanta, they still invited us to stay with them in Vero Beach.  They are now residents of Florida, bringing the average resident age way down. It's hard to leave our temporary home in Clearwater Beach, but knowing we have family waiting for us on the Atlantic side of Florida spurs us on.   

Cousin Eddie, Catherine and entourage arrive at Sparky and Ellen's house.  (see National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation if confused)

Jim and Cindy think they have us under control and we head to dinner on the beach.

After dinner, we surprise Jim with a round of "When I'm 64" two weeks before his big 64th b-day. ( usually we buy and mail his present on his birthday).  The Darby singing voice is in fine form - dogs howling!

The beauty of Vero Beach is everywhere.  This is right outside their front door.

I can't selfie but Jim can!

Vero Beach version of power walk - The Jungle Trail!

The trail runs along the inter-coastal waterway.....

past Cindy's favorite tree......

and as we round the bend to head back - the rain starts pouring down!!!  Some of us run for the shelter, others do their own version of hurry. In Yoda speak, "soaked we are."

Rescued by Jim, who wisely left us part way on the Jungle trail, cleaned up and ready to shop!  Cindy takes us to Disney resort and we are up to the task.

Then we meet up with the boys and decide to explore the boardwalk and check out the Atlantic waves.

After a blessed day of hanging out with the Darby's, we walk to the beach from their house and let the ocean speak to us.

The ocean says "Stay another day"; but with these happy memories to take back to Kansas City, we head home to our real life and the people we love!

TARON SPRINGS - LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!

 IT'S GREEK TO ME!!!!


It's a beautiful Florida day and we have decided to visit Tarpon Springs, a delightful Greek community about a half hour north of Clearwater Beach.  It resembles the family vacation destinations of my childhood, tourists shops and barkers on the street trying to drum up business for the sponge diving cruises.  I believe nothing has changed.

On the way, we pass what may become our lodging for next year.  Since this was such a bad winter , we presume that  everyone up north is already booking through 2020!

If this is all that is left, we decide to start  Happy Hour  at 10 AM.

Barely out of the car in Tarpon Springs and we are greeted to this!  (as if we didn't already know)

Cruise anyone?

More shell ideas for the folks back home!?!

Here is Sponge Bob returning to his roots!

Since we aren't going to sea, we decide to visit the tourist shops. There is something for everyone??  Hmmmmmm

And here is the piece de resistance - someone had to hold me back to keep from buying it! Oh, so many places to put it.

And speaking of many uses.......

If you don't own an evil eye, please visit Tarpon Springs.  They are everywhere.  Gotta run! Shopkeeper  just spotted me taking pictures.

After we speed away from Tarpon Springs with angry shopkeepers chasing us with raised fists, we MUST have dinner at Guppy's !

Scallops and Shrimp

Steak and mashed potatoes

Short Ribs