Tires around

Tuesday morning (March 18), we did a final tire check, gassed up and headed north in a most-sedate fashion, usually running a mile or two under the speed limit … mostly.  Well, sometimes.  Uh, yeah, we did.  And we didn’t hit anymore gravel, either.

We made it with tread to spare, although not much.  I got two new tires and was coming up on a 30K, and Jaz decided to do fluids along with her tire, so we’ll be ready to ride more, and my bike will be ready for me in July when I come back down to ride.

I couldn't help but take a photo of a beautiful red bike.

So, we spent a lot of the day at the shop, although we wandered out for lunch and a milkshake.  But we got a lot of blog work done, thoughts on what the next ones would be about, and finally our two-wheeled steeds were ready for us, and clean.

Off we rode, right into rush hour traffic on the 101, and then the 10, and we just kept up and kept on going, until we were out of Phoenix proper.  Along the way, about 61 miles out of the shop my engine light came on, went off, came on, went off.  And didn’t come on again.  I told Jaz I wanted to stop so I could call in the morning to see what I needed to do.  We’re only about 75 miles from Tucson, which is closer than Arrowhead.  I’ll think about all of that tomorrow.

All I know is that we’re meeting up with Henke on Wednesday at the shop.  Yay.  Will be good to see him again.  He’ll ride with us for a bit.  We’re expecting to maybe get to Bisbee and wander around.  Hobbs and I had been there a long time ago and it would be fun to go back and a little more time and maybe the night.  Another great day today, and another one coming up tomorrow. 

Wednesday morning (March 19) I called Arrowhead and they said it might have been a fluke.  So we headed the 60 or 70 miles to the Tucson shop.  The engine light did not come on, so maybe it was a fluke.  They ran the codes, but that was it.  Henke showed up and we sat and talked there drinking coffee for an hour or so.

Jaz, Henke and me.  What a great day to meet up with him and be able to spend some time.  Sorry Andie couldn't make it.  Next time, hopefully, we'll see her.

Off we went headed to Bisbee.  About 20 miles out the engine light came on again, so we diverted to Sierra Vista where the shop ran a diagnostics test.  A little cap had come off a manifold vacuum hose so they replaced it.  The oil filter was also filled with some oil so they cleaned that, too.  All while we were off having lunch.  Great shop.

It was really nice visiting with Henke, but he needed to head home.  So, a ride with him and a couple of long conversations were great, but it was time to part ways.  He went home, and we headed the 26 miles or so to Bisbee.

Bisbee was a little copper, gold and silver mining town in 1880 that’s now a tourist town mostly.  It was named in honor of Judge DeWitt Bisbee, one of the financial backers of the Copper Queen Mine, which offers tours these days. 

There are lots of little stairways leading to apartments or the next street up.  This one was quite pretty with designs in the stairs.  Most are just made of stone.

We found a little market, and it's in an area that's all graffiti'd up.  It was quite cute and it appears there are lots of hippie-type artists here selling their wares.  There are many art galleries, and other touristy places so it's a fun town to walk around in as long as you stay out of all the shops.  We partook of a root beer at a brewery that was quite good.

Our room at the Copper Queen was most inviting and quite large.  There's also a wingback chair and another window not shown off to the left in this photo.

 

The Copper Queen Hotel is supposedly haunted so I told Jaz it would be fun to stay there.  We wandered in to see if they had a room.  Yep, and reasonable for two old gals.  We had a difficult time finding parking, though, and ended up a block away on the street.  Hope the bikes are still there tomorrow.

There's lots of old mining stuff to photograph.

And shooting some of it in black and white was pretty "old timey," too.

We found an ice cream and fudge shop with the best ice cream ever.  It’s Shamrock brand.  Don’t know if I’ve had it before; it was really good.  Then we walked around town until way after dark taking photos.  What a great place to walk. 

A little graffiti here and there.

And mostly-deserted streets for us to walk on and take pictures of.  It was great fun.

 

 

There’s no gravel … it’s all paved

On Sunday (March 16), we were up and ready to ride into the desert again, in search of the perfect photo.  We’d had such a great day before riding around on great roads and seeing wonderful things.  I had no idea the desert could be so nice for riding … usually when I’m riding in these places the temperatures are triple digits plus, and you just want to get through it to another place where it’s a few degrees cooler.

The road is a great place to be.

We planned to go to Salt Creek to see the little pup fish.  There are multiple species and sub-species and they jump from one pond to another when the water is low.  Besides, the roads are all paved … I asked because I’d seen some gravel ones and really didn’t want to go on them.  Some of them had some pretty big rocks in amongst the gravel.

The road beckoned and we got on it.  When we got to the Salt Creek turn off, it was gravel.  Did I want to?  Sure.  It’s only a mile-and-a-half.  No problem.  When we got to the gravel parking lot, we parked and walked in on the boardwalk.  There were some beautiful variations of color on the hills and rocks so we did some shooting in Monochrome, which made them look really cool.  However, the pupfish were not cooperative and would not jump.  Oh well.

 

Salt Creek.

Wonderful shading and shadows.

We rode out and then on to Scotty’s Castle.  As it turned out, there was construction and some gravel.  What’s going on?  BUT … there was only a little gravel on the side going in.  A short segment and we were on the one side that was paved for several miles going in.  That’s because we’re pure of heart mostly.

An absolutely spectacular vacation home.

Death Valle Scotty was apparently an entertainer, performing with other cowboys in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West.  He did other things, including telling exaggerated tales of how he made his fortune.

Scotty’s biggest tall tale was about gold, and how he’d found riches in Death Valley.  A gold mine … but he needed investors.  Yep, sounds like a con man at work.  But as all con men do, he got some folks to invest.  One of those was a Chicago businessman, Albert Johnson, who wanted to inspect the “mine.”  Scotty staged a gunfight to scare the guy away but still hopefully keep the money rolling in. 

I don't know what this door went to, but if you closed both of them it was like being in a little above-the-ground dungeon.

The plan backfired and Johnson realized there was never a mine.  But rather than being angry he became friends with Scotty and remained his source of gold.  Plus, the dry climate was good for Johnson’s health problems and he enjoyed the wild-west style o  f the desert.  After years of camping expeditions, Johnson and his wife began to build a grand vacation home in 1922.

The clock tower has clocks all around ... and they're ticking and tocking the correct time.

The Castle is built in one of the harshest deserts in the world as Death Valley only averages 2 inches of rain per year.  Yet Grapevine Canyon (where the Castle is located) has a natural spring pouring out more than 200 gallons of water per minute.  The spring provided drinking water and Johnson piped it into man-made streams and planted trees and shrubs, fed a huge swimming pool and used it for hydropower to provide electricity and refrigeration. 

Scotty was the caretaker of the Castle and after his death he was buried on a hill above so he could look down on his Castle forever in the afterlife.

High on a hill.  It was quite the hike, too.

The Castle area is quite beautiful, and you can only imagine what life there would have been like … protected, isolated, beautiful, privileged.

And then it was time to move along once again … this time the road was mostly gravel on the construction stretch as you didn’t dare ride the pavement all the way through the turns and curves.  Yeah, sure, no gravel.

We decided to overnight in Boulder City, Nevada, and found the place Jaz had stayed when she was last through here.  But … again, the Internet did not work. 

Yuma, Arizona, was in our sights as we decided to get there and head east in the morning to get over to meet up with friend Henke.  We arrived and went to the Harley shop, which is no longer Jim’s.  It’s now Bobby’s Territorial Harley-Davidson.  When we got there we had a tire check.  Whoops.  I had gone below the 2 which is the number used for tire replacement and Jaz only had 400-600 miles left.  So, could they change tires?  Nope.  They were backed up for two weeks.  Travelers have to take a number. 

So we got a room and decided to check our options.  Arrowhead, near Phoenix and where I’ve had a lot of other things done, could take us both, 185 miles away.  So, I called Henke and told him our slight deviation in plans (still planning to meet up with him on Wednesday).  The good news was that we could blog and post.

And there was still a Princess chocolate for Jaz’s pillow.

Last one is now gone.  Need to go on another cruise to get pillow chocolates.

 

On to the next adventure ... in the air

Hobbs, my personal airline reservations coordinator, had listed me on the same flight to Atlanta that Jaz was on (Tuesday, March 11).  Of course, I fly standby so there’s no telling if you’ll get on a flight.  But it was looking good as he said the flights were open.

Jaz dropped me and all of our luggage at the curb by the Delta check in and she returned the vehicle.  A Delta employee said he could do curbside check in for me, so I took advantage of that.  Worked well. 

I waited for a few minutes, and Jaz got there, we got her luggage checked in and off we went headed for security.  Easy, peasy.

Then it was just waiting.  I was given a seat assignment before they even started boarding the regular folks.  Yay.  I was on.  Jaz and I weren’t seated together but that was okay as I did some blog work trying to get caught up.

We had a bite to eat at the Atlanta airport, but then it was time for Jaz to go to one concourse, and me to another.  But we’d be meeting again soon for the third part of our adventure … motorcycle riding.

Verlie came to get me at the airport and off we went.  It was a very special day because I was going to meet her and Joe’s new Yorkie, Jazzy.  The first meeting did not go well.  She barked and growled at me.

Jazzy and I are friends now.

By later that evening she wasn’t growling, but she still didn’t want to come near me … not even an ounce of that 3-1/2-pound Yorkie dog.

Wednesday Verlie had to go to work.  Guess who Jazzy had for the day … me.  Needless to say we became friends because I was all she had to dole out the treats and take her out in the yard to run and play.  Ha!!  We managed quite well.

On Thursday (March 13) I took the bike to Arrowhead Harley to get an oil change and have them look at my tires to be sure I’d be good for a week of riding.  Looked that way.  In the meantime Joe had gotten in so he hopped on his bike and came over to meet and ride home with me.  Later it was Ver, Joe and me … together and riding … a grand day.

Friday was hookup day.  I took off in the morning heading to Barstow to meet Jaz.  We meet up at a Rodeaway Inn there.  The folks that run it are very, very nice, and the rooms are always clean and it’s a good halfway point.  I rode in combat traffic all day … 101-202-10-215-15.  Ugh!!!  But I got there and she had just arrived.  Impeccable timing as usual.  422 miles for me, 408 for her.  That’s about as close to halfway as you can get.

A Harley shop right across the street from where I gassed up called my name.  The dealer pin even as some wind generators on it.  That's a first.  There's a huge wind farm ... lots of big ones and little ones, and more being built.

Saturday (March 15) we decided to go to Death Valley.  I’ve never been there, and have wanted to go.  We headed out, with jackets and gloves.  It was cold, not even 70 degrees yet.  We’ve been used to warmer weather.



Just to show I was here.



Near Furnace Creek ... at sea level.  Wow.

That's too hot for me.

And this is what the thermometer said for today.  Still a little hot.  And it's only March.

 

It was a beautiful ride once we got off I-15 and onto a smaller road.  We got into the park and just took our time.  We stopped to take a few photos, including sea level signs, and then wandered into Furnace Creek.  There we had some lunch.

 

Old  Dinah, an 1894 steam tractor.

I thought this piece of equipment was quite cool.  The tractor replaced the mule teams used to haul borax.

The bed of the steam tractor.

These wheels looked like they could crush the rocks they rolled over when hauling.

 

These three photos were taken of a wagon used to haul borax from Death Valley to Mojave, 165 miles away.  It took the 20-mule teams 10 days to make the journey. 

Couldn't resist trying to shoot some in black and white.  These wheels lend themselves to that.

The wagon with wheels.

We then headed back a short ways to go into Badwater.  There’s a salt road in there, and that location is 282 feet BELOW sea level.

 

Look at the later photo and you'll see the sea level sign, way up in the rocks.

Jaz walking on the salt road at Badwater.

Salt granules in the dirt at Badwater.

Salt and water at Badwater.  Who'd think there was even any water since it hardly rains here.

Sea level ... 282 feet above where I was standing.

From there we rode around the Artist’s Palette.  That’s one beautiful ride, with colors popping out of the rocks in shades of oranges, reds, greens, turquoise and lavender.  Photos can’t reproduce what the naked eye is seeing and yet I kept trying to get something that would show nature’s gift out there in the desert. 

 

 

The Artist's Palette Loops is truly a ride for the artist.

The scenery and the texture of the rocks was incredible.

There was every color on the artist's palette.

I just liked this rock.  It seemed like a face, two eyes, a nose, and an upside down smile in white lipstick.

 

Not only that, the road was one-way and there were twisties and dips that is a motorcyclist’s dream.  And then, it was over, and we were back on the main road to the hotel where we’d spend the night … Stovepipe Wells.  There are a lot of things named wells.

 

This old dead tree is at the beginning when you start walking out on the dunes.  It's photographed often as everyone else was doing the same thing we were ... taking photos.

The dunes and the scenery beyond look like they were photoshopped one on top of the other.

Black and white makes a whole different look to dunes and the surrounding area.

It doesn't even look real.  But I was there.  And saw it.

 

On the way we passed the Mesquite Dunes … the shadows as the sun was getting lower were incredible.  We hurried to get checked in and drop our luggage and head back.  We hot footed it out into the desert to get photos of the shadows, the sun going down and the moon rising.  We shot some black and white that makes you think of moon landscape.  Then it was time to find our way back to the parking lot and the bikes.  I’d taken along a small flashlight just in case.  But we made it.

 

More photos at the dead tree.

The moon was rising and we were racing time to get back to the parking lot.

The deepening dusk brings out far more color than you see during the day.

And then night was upon us.

 

Back to the room, in for some supper, and then a little bit of blogging although we didn’t have good Internet in the rooms.  So, for me … text and photo sorting.  The blog will get posted sometime.

The Keys and Florida continued

On Friday (March 7), we had scheduled a multiple-item excursion with snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking and parasailing out of Key West.  We left our Marathon hotel (about 50 miles from Key West) early so we’d be there in time and traffic really wasn’t too bad.  It took us longer to find the parking garage and the excursion people than driving down there practically.

The wind was blowing pretty good out on the open ocean and tossed us around a little bit even on a 65-foot catamaran.  When we got into place over the reef and tied up to the buoy there were some big white caps.  We didn’t have that rough a sea on the Island Princess cruise ship. 

 

Our ride for the day.

But Jaz and I were game and donned snorkel masks and tubes.  She was brave enough to jump the six feet or so from the side of the boat.  I watched her do it and saw her go under water.  Nope.  I wasn’t doing that.  I’m not a natural in the water, and in fact, am afraid of it.  On top of it is okay, but not under. 

I elected to go down the six or seven steps from the back of the boat although the waves were breaking pretty good over them.  While the boat crew said it was harder and more dangerous, I was going that way or no way.  One of the crew members stood on the steps to try to hold them down a bit and one of the crew in the water came over with a buoy and said to hold on to it and he’d get me away from the boat.  Old does have its privilege sometimes. 

The water looks nice here but don't be fooled.

The steps were rocking and rolling and I scooted down them on my butt.  (That butt is very useful sometimes.)  I made my way to near the bottom one, and made my move.  I stretched out my arms in my best Superman impression and lunged away from the boat, grabbing the buoy at the same time.  I still have some fairly decent reflexes.  The young, athletic crew member guided me to the buoy rope.  I grabbed on to that, and wondered if I could get to the reef and back again. 
 

Water came in through my snorkel tube.  I choked, coughed, gargled with salt water and spit.  I kept kicking my legs, but nothing was happening.  The waves were so strong I couldn’t even make my way down the line holding on to it.  I decided this whole snorkeling thing was not in my best interest and told the crew member I wanted to go back.  I wasn’t that far away but it seemed like yards to me.  I might have been three yards from the boat, not very far, and was able to make my way back with his help.

This is the stairwell I chose to use.  Again, don't be fooled.  The waves were crashing over these steps and moving them up and down quite vigorously. 

The waves crashed into the steps on the boat, moving them up and down.  I flexed and pumped and made the perfect landing onto the bottom step.  I held on for dear life, got my butt on the step properly and scooted back up to the deck.  Well, that certainly had not gone well.  I didn’t know then, but found out in a few minutes that Jaz had also come back onto the boat.  The waves were just too rough to be doing this, although some of the young and probably strong swimmers did get over the reef.  I was sad since I’d really wanted to see it.  But there’d be another chance the following day.

Everyone got back into the boat after about an hour and we set under way again.  This time we anchored to a landing platform where there were several jet skis parked.  We rode two up, and I took our first turn.  What a hoot.  What a kick.  What a buzz!!!  I love jet skis.

Jet skis were a hoot.

I’d never been on one.  It was like riding a motorcycle except with water and rain, with most of it breaking over you, getting salt water in your eyes and mouth; your hair and swim suit soaked.  What a blast this was.  Jaz and I traded places after a while and they had to practically chase us down to make us come in from this one.   This was fun, fun, fun, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.  Parasailing and kayaking were out due to the waves, but the thing we did get to do was a great time.

We were having a ball and we hadn't even left the dock yet.  (Photo taken by Fury Watersports.)

After we got back to land, we’d decided not to go on the sunset cruise that was tossed in as a freebie.  We decided to go have a nice dinner out of Key West, away from the crowds, and get back to the hotel as we had another early morning the next day.  But it was another great day … three cheers for vacations.

I had used my underwater camera today, but not underwater.  Another day.

On Saturday (March 8), we checked out of our hotel and headed to Key Largo.  This was to be our last big hurrah.  We were going to take a three-hour scuba cram course and then be allowed to do two dives over the reef with a certified dive instructor.

When we got to the dive shop Jaz couldn’t do it because she had the end of a cold but she would be able to snorkel.  I was allowed.  So I was fitted with a wet suit, snorkel, tube, fins and pack for the tanks.  My instructor, whose name I’ve forgotten (Wayne, I believe, so I’ll call him that) and I got into the pool at a nearby hotel.  We worked together as I learned to clear the tube, pull the scuba mouthpiece out of my mouth, let out air through my mouth and put it back in.  I learned the signals of okay and not okay, up, and so on.  Things were going well. 

There’s a little procedure you have to do where you fill your mask half full of water, press the top of it to your head and clear it through the bottom by blowing through your nose.  I got it … a few times.  Then I took on water and scared myself.  It had been hard to get in the water anyway after the experience from the day before, and this just didn’t get any better. 

Wayne was very, very patient.  He said we had lots of time, but after trying and trying and getting worse instead of better, I pulled the plug and told him I didn’t think it was in my best interest to scuba.  At least not this time.  But I would snorkel.

Three boats/ships with the name Princess in them, and we've been on a dozen boats ... plus a stationary one.  That's a lot of boating for a single trip ... from a ship to a small puddle jumper at the Theatre of the Sea.  No sea sickness here.

We left on yet another boat called the Princess, Coral Princess this time.  That’s three boats we’ve been on with Princess in the name.  About 12 of us were going to snorkel two areas, and there were two folks on board who were going to scuba. 

The seas were quite calm this time and Captain Slate (owner of the business), had us tied off in no time.  He told us, "Get off my boat ... and have fun." 

Jaz snorkeling.

I was able to step off the back of this boat onto the step and just lunge forward with an easy breast stroke.  But I was having trouble getting my head into the water.  I tried, and would bring it up, tried and would bring it up.  I finally prevailed, although I’d get nervous when a small wavelet would break over my head.  Eventually I was able to get my head down, take photos and enjoy the underwater world I was seeing.  Coral, all kinds of fish, including a barracuda and so many others.  It was beautiful and I stayed in as long as I could before we pulled up and went to the next location.

I was getting more comfortable and doing selfies.

The next area of the reef was more beautiful than the one before it.  And it was shallower, so I could see more, the fish hanging out around plants, both fish and plants swaying with the current.  It was awesome.  I could see the two divers with their bubbles moving slowly along the bottom maybe 20-25 feet down.  I really wish I could have done that, too, but it just wasn’t to be.  I was quite content with my snorkeling trip this time.  Great water, great area and great crew.  And I finally got to use my underwater camera.

I'm not real good with this camera yet, but did get a couple of fairly decent shots.  It would probably been better really underwater, like on the bottom.

The two scuba divers were having a great time wandering around.

Once back on land, we cleaned up a bit with fresh water and headed north, knowing not where we’d land.  We landed in Homestead at the worst hotel of the trip … and one we wouldn’t even shower in.  We’d looked at the room and it appeared okay on the surface.  NOT!!!  Guess you need one really, really bad one to make the others look good. 

Sunday morning (March 9), we hurriedly packed the few things we’d removed from our suitcases the night before and scurried out of that place as fast as we could.  We were on our next day’s adventure and the crappy hotel was soon forgotten, mostly.  Except we did have to laugh about it.

We were going to look for an airboat ride to go see some of the grasses, alligators and hopefully birds, too.  We weren’t in any rush and meandered along, looking around, and finally ending up at an alligator farm that had airboat rides, too. 


Several boats were going out that day.  We were on the first one so the water was pretty clear and we saw a lot.

The channels you go through on an airboat are pretty spectacular. 

We saw gators.

And more gators.

And still more gators. 

 

The flowers by the lily pads are really a pretty lemon-yellow color.

It was a fun place with alligators that have ended up there for one reason or another, including one with about two feet of his tail missing, or born there.  It was an interesting place and I held another alligator, just a little one, maybe a foot long.  I also touched a snake.  I really don’t like doing that … ugh!!!  Don’t like snakes.  It was a python.  They also have an albino python who was quite beautiful, for a snake.  UGH!!!

Here I am with the little alligator.  I'd rather hold one of these than pet a snake.

Then it was off to chase the elusive perfect photo … the money shot. 

This little woodpecker could have been the money shot if he'd been cooperative and I could have focused properly ... he was pretty far away, but his bright head certainly got our attention.

I liked this airboat because it was a bright yellow.

 

We found more alligators on our own.

Jaz spotted this one lurking in the pond amongst the lily pads. 

We'd gone on a little trail walk in Big Cypress National Preserve and found a few things to photograph.

There are always lots of birds ... cormorant drying its wings. 

On Monday (March 10) we left the Flamingo Motel which was a pretty good place, no matter the name.  We were going north as I wanted to meet a friend I’d met on Facebook, Kathy and her dog, Buddy.  We set up an afternoon meet time, which left Jaz and me time to wander around. 

You have to stay at a Flamingo Motel in Florida.

Yep, lots of flamingo yard-style art.  I loved it.

And we found this exhibit ...

Each flag has the name and age of a child who has died from child abuse ... from only days old to several years of age.  What a tragedy.  And so preventable.

I really don't need to add anything to this.

We found the Manatee Center … closed.

These birds were all lined up waiting for the next handout, I guess.

There's no shortage of beautiful things to photograph.  There were lots of folks who were on the end fishing.  Across this is where small boats can pass under going to and from the little marina.

We found the Navy Seal Museum … closed.

I really would have liked to go in this place, but we had to settle for what is out and about on the grounds.

There really was a lot to photograph on the grounds.  I did not do this statue justice.

These modules were training devices to prepare for the actual splashdowns during the Apollo missions.  As it hit the water, frogmen attached a floatation collar to keep them from sinking.  They then opened the hatch to allow the astronauts to be pulled out and put into hovering helicopters.

I just loved this boat as I think it would scare the pants off anyone who it approached in the water.

These are beach obstacles put on the shore to deter landing craft and their occupants.  These were used for training of frogmen in WW II.   They were constructed and put in place between 1943 and 1946 at Fort Pierce, and removed in February 1991.  The one in the back is a horned scully and is placed in six to eight feet of water to impede landing craft approaching the beach. 

The gun is behind the logs to ambush oncoming traffic.  One of these machine gun bunkers was always placed where the obstacles were with the intent of using heavy fire against frogmen or others trying chart the beaches or the demolitioneers when they tried to remove the obstacles for the landing craft.



You can see this gun could be a real hazard for those who ventured in front of it.

We found the beach by the Navy Seal Museum and decided to put our tootsies in it.  It felt good as the waves washed over our feet then receded and the sand would move making footing a bit uncertain.  We had to be careful so we didn't fall and drop our cameras in the salt water.

These few minutes were very relaxing ... and our feet felt great.  Although we had to try to wipe the sand off of them.  We found foot showers and rinsed, but I still had sand in my toes and sandals.  Oh, the hard life of being on vacation.

We found the Smithsonian Aquarium Exhibit … open.  We wandered in and they were just feeding the fish.  It was quite the exhibit and we had a great time. 

This was a little jewel that we happened on quite by accident, but it was every bit as interesting as other things we'd done.

 

Clown fish.

Lion fish.

Jelly fish.  Don't know if this is a big one of the ones that stung me during the snorkeling or not.

Bright yellow fish always attract me because they're so colorful.

This one looks like it has lipstick on or a red clown nose.

Then it was time to wander over to Kathy’s place to meet her and her dog.

What a hoot Kathy and Buddy are.  She offered us her hospitality for the night, but we wanted to get back down by the airport since we had to return the car by 8 a.m. and she’s located about an hour-and-a-half away.  But we visited with her and a friend that joined us and had a grand time.

Bonnie, Jaz, Kathy and the famous Buddy dog.

What a beautiful soul this boy has.  And he is his momma's boy.

Then it was time to head to the airport area.  We located a Motel 6 although they’re not my favorite.  What a pleasant surprise the room was … it looked like it had just been redone and quite clean and very nice.  But I did remember one of the reasons I don’t like Motel 6.  They charge for Internet.  What a rip off.

This was at the Theater of the Sea.  I just hadn't posted any flower photos.  They had tons of orchids, all different colors.

Two segments of our trip down, and the last of the candies.  No more Princess candies for us. 

But we were in for the night … and the following morning would head to the airport on our way to our next adventure.