This page will start with our trip down to Florida in early January to
escape the cold.
We arrived at Matt's place in New Bern, NC on Thursday Jan 8th, after
a day and night in Richmond at Andrea and Mike's. We appeared to have contracted
the flu at their place and just getting over it now. We left CT on Wed
and arrived at Winchester Wed night. It has been cold since we left CT,
but not as cold as you guys. We didn't get sick until Fri, but very sick.
We went to Atlantic Beach , NC today, and enjoyed being outside even though
cold.
We left Matt's place Monday Morning, the 12th. We drove on 17 to Myrtle
Beach and had lunch at Dick's Last
Resort. This is a BBQ place recommended by a good friend in Massena.
It was quite good, especially the atmosphere. We stopped at a Plantation
before Charleston that I had stopped at before, and took some more pictures.
This the Plantation House near the Santee River
We didn't stop in Charleston because it was rush hour and also drove
right past Savannah. We'll try to stop on the way back when the weather
is warmer. We had a light dinner at Brunswick, GA (Cracker Barrel) We stayed
near St. Mary's, GA at the Best Western?
The next morning Tue the 13th, we drove to Fernandina and stopped at
Fort Clinch State Park. We have been there a few times and it is a nice
little place for shore walking, fishing pier, hiking and biking. The
roads and paths are beautiful with spanish moss on old overhanging tree
limbs. We heard that right whales were spotted off Jacksonville Beach,
and saw pictures on TV. We looked for them from this pier and others, but
no luck.
We drove along A1A from Jacksonville Beach to St.
Augustine. We stopped at the Beach at Pointe Vedre and looked for whales.
We did see dolphins however. Stopped at St. Augustine and Chris went shopping,
big mistake. Continued on A1A and ran into construction at Flagler Beach;
then on to Daytona Beach where we stopped for dinner at this European Cafe
we like. We both had snitzel, which were excellent. We stayed overnight at
Daytona, near the race track. On the 14th we drove to Orlando and stayed
there for 2 days at Disney World. We stayed at Hampton Inn for only $49.
a night, and it was very nice. We went to Epcot on the 14th and Magic Kingdom
on the 15th. The lines were short this time of year, so we were able to go
to everything several times if we wanted. Chris still would not go on Splash
Mt. We left Orlando the morning of the 16th and took the turnpike south
and then went west to Bel Glade and took 27/997 to Homestead, where we ate
at my favorite BBQ (Shivers).We arrived at Key Largo on 01/16 and enjoyed
the sunset at the Howard Johnson's beach, where we stayed. Moved
into our house on the 17th. I have been snorkling off a boat and scuba. Also
some nice paddling along the mangrove shorelines in my kayak, and some nice
rides on my bicycle to strengthen my knees.
Sunset in Key Largo 01/16/04 This is a stylized painting of the Dive site; "Christ of the Deep" This is hanging in the Church we go to in Key Largo.
Diving in The Florida Keys see fish1.htm
...............................ROD 03/15/2004 Rod Bigelow P.O. Box 13 Chazy Lake Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
< rodbigelow@netzero.net > 
