TRAVELERS REST RESORT--SUN AND CLOUDS ARE OK!!!

TRAVELERS REST RESORT

Dade City, Florida
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Sunny, 75 F

What a beautiful day!  The golf course is open for cyclists and walkers on Tuesdays until noon, so Tim and I took a walk around the course. We saw a hawk, an anhinga (water bird with long snake-like neck), and a 7 ft. long alligator in a small pond. He did not look too hungry! We also walked along the “Villages,” the area where the permanent homes are. Tim and I talked about looking around for something. There are homes for sale, but one has to be very careful. Banks won’t give a mortgage if the house is more than 25 years old, and older homes need more maintenance of course. I do think we like this area and what it offers. It is not as congested as Tampa, Fort Myers, or Stuart. Zephyr Hills is 12 miles away, Tampa and Tarpon Springs are not far. Most people who live around here are well-off (like George Steinbrenner). There are horse and cattle (even Brahma) farms. The smaller towns are old Florida charming. Plenty of restaurants, a large movie theater, other cultural activities nearby. Some would say it is not warm enough in Central Florida, but there is no snow. Anyway, we had a nice thoughtful walk this morning.

OUR NEW FRIEND ON THE GOLF COURSE

 

FOR SALE--PALM TREE IN FRONT!

 

Mary Lou and I went to a fashion show, “Have a Colorful Day,” at the main community center this afternoon. I loved the way the style committee organized it. First, the fashions were white, e.g. an 85 year old lady wore a wedding gown! Black was featured. Three ladies wore the primary colors, then introduced ladies wearing their combinations—purple, green, orange, along with indigo. A rainbow of color! A male trio sang a beautiful rendition of “Over the Rainbow.”

Patterns and designs were next. Our friends Norm and Gene participated in this segment while walking their little dogs. After that a lady brought out the others who wore black and did a makeover by adding colorful accessories. Others showed fashions in all the holiday colors, e.g. Halloween, Veterans Day, Christmas, and so on. Finally, several team colors were shown, e.g. Michigan State, Ohio State, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Each member of the audience received a colorful bag. Cookies and punch were served after.

Mary Lou and I took a golf cart ride around the complex to look for sites for sale. The sky was so beautiful today—the clouds resembled lamb’s wool and feathers, or ocean waves.

For dinner we went to Steph’s Soul Food Kitchen in Dade City. Oh my gosh!! Southern fried chicken, black-eyed peas, the best mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread and even heavenly strawberry shortcake (in season).  Mary Lou remarked that I am on a cloud kick. I said my new Dansko shoes were like walking on clouds, the biscuits at the Black Eyed Peas restaurant were like eating a cloud, and now the mashed potatoes were like eating a cloud. I really don’t know where that all is coming from, but I must love clouds!

As we were driving home after dinner, we spotted a sun dog in the clouds (a rainbow that tips a cloud). So pretty!

Finished the night by helping Scorchy with his tablet and Facebook.  And, I am reflecting on Sunday night when we used Facetime to contact Randy and Coleen and B1 and B2. I loved seeing them and they are growing so fast!!! I do miss them! We have decided to leave TRR on Saturday and head for Charleston. Then Sunday we will move on to Williamsburg. That’s the plan so far. I sure hope the weather improves in Erie!!!!!!!!!!