Pretty perfect final day

Sandhill cranes on the golf course

This morning my sister spent the early morning on a golf league, so she allowed me to drive her car to the Y in order for me to take a swim on my own, without her being with me. It was a first for me, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I didn't swim all that long, but it was a full six minutes longer than the last time (28 minutes versus 22) and I'm pretty sure my arms will be sore again. Tomorrow I'll get to enjoy one last swim before packing up and heading home around noon.

The golfers: Thecla, Rose, Norma Jean, Sylvia

I continue to be impressed with the energy of these four women. Thecla is 85, Rose 71, Norma Jean 73, and Sylvia 87. They played 18 holes, and I was happy to see my sister make two birdies! (For you nonplayers, that means one under par for two holes.) I wandered around the course while they played, and got that picture of the cranes, as well as this wonderful view of trees near one of their fairways.

Old oak trees

These mysterious, wonderful trees cover the three golf courses in Betmar Acres, and I am sure that everyone enjoys these nice shady grottos. Unless they get in the way of a golf ball, that is!

In a couple of days, I'll be back in my own world, having been here just long enough for me to appreciate the vacation, and having the enjoyment of my home to return to. Not to mention my Bellingham family and friends. I'll miss the dogs and family here, but there's always next year!
:-)

Idyllic Florida with family

Icarus and Charley

My sister loves dogs. When I was here last year, their dog Zen was hanging on, even after he was expected to go a year or so earlier. He finally died at 17, with the final trip to the vet once he stopped eating and was having trouble walking. Icarus was so lonely after he was gone that Norma Jean got another rescue dog, this one a Papillon mix (Charley). He's an adorable dog and was owned by a woman who had moved and found that she couldn't have a fence for him to run, and she, unable to even take him for walks, put an ad on Craigslist to find the right place for him. It turned out to be at home with my sister, her son Peter, and Icarus.

Buried in furry love

Charley was originally named Harley, which nobody really cared for, so they changed it to Charley; he doesn't seem to notice the difference. He's 3 to Icarus' 8 years, so he has plenty of energy and took to me right away. In fact, I had to ask Norma Jean to call him to her so I could write on my laptop. He sleeps with me and we think I might remind him of his previous owner, whose white hair is similar to mine. I'm happy to accommodate this adorable bundle of love.

Deedee, who lives a couple of doors away

Every morning when we walk, Norma Jean takes Deedee with us. She's only a year old and needs the exercise and training. When we come to get her, two homes away, she's waiting impatiently for her. We walk between three and five miles with her. Norma Jean gives her a treat before and after, and in the three months they've been doing this, Norma Jean has only missed one day.

Of course, she also has me along with her, so the three of us enjoy the idyllic Florida weather. You might notice Norma Jean is dressed warmly, because the first two days I was here it was downright cold in the morning. I didn't really mind, except we missed our swim. We went yesterday, though, and I am now happy to say the weather is warm and really delightful.
:-)

Busch Gardens 2019

Peter and Norma Jean on the way to Busch Gardens

This morning we three all left for Tampa's Busch Gardens, with me as the honored guest of Peter, who is an annual pass holder. We drove there to spend the day at the place I visited for the first time last February. The two of them visit several times a year. And I didn't even get on one ride.

The Falcon's Fury ride

Last year, I did ride this one with Peter (Norma Jean does not do such rides), and I enjoyed it. Insteady, today we watched a couple of shows and saw ABBA, along with a lovely ice skating show, incredibly well choreographed. Lots of costume changes and flawless performances.

The Serengeti Plains

Then we enjoyed a fun train excursion to the Busch Gardens' version of the Serengeti Plains, with lots of animals like giraffes, zebras, and rhinos. You could choose, if you wanted, to take a closer look with a pricey safari, but instead we took this one, which was included with the regular price.

Enormous rhinos from the train

It was a fun day, very different from my usual trip with the Senior Trailblazers, but we did a fair amount of walking, and Norma Jean and I had also walked almost four miles earlier. We weren't able to swim today or yesterday because of the cold weather, but tomorrow looks to be on track for a good swim, my first of the trip so far. From here on, it should be smooth sailing as far as the weather goes.

A ride I didn't take today

It seemed a little strange not to get on any of the rides, but in some ways I was relieved. No need to get overly frightened today, and the company with the three of us was wonderful. More on Saturday.

:-)

Florida here I come

Taken at sunrise from the plane

I didn't get much sleep last night since I had to catch the "pajama shuttle" at 2:10am this morning. I've been traveling ever since. Three hours on the shuttle, two hours going through security (which was an awful experience, not just for me but for everybody) and finally making it to the gate before it was time to board. But just barely. And then once on board, I settled in for a nice long five-hour flight.

Palm trees and sunny skies greeted me when I disembarked, and Norma Jean picked me up soon after. Then another hour's drive from the Tampa airport to her home, and finally I am here, ready to write my Tuesday post.

My fabulous dinner salad, compliments of Pete

Peter, Norma Jean's son, had already prepared us one of his wonderful salads, which awaited us when we stepped out of the car and into the dining room. Between that, and Norma Jean's two dogs (one of whom has just been adopted), it's been quite a full, full day.

And now, given that I'm not only fed and watered (well, wined, really), I'm beginning to feel the effects of the day. I'll probably last another few hours before hitting the sack. Tomorrow, swimming!
:-)