Mote Aquarium

Yesterday's visit to the Mote Aquarium in Sarasota was prompted by the Doc Ford character, a marine biologist, in Randy Wayne White's novels set in Florida.  His last book, "Chasing Midnight", was about some shady people trying to corner the sturgeon caviar market.  So of course the first exhibit I saw was a tank full of sturgeons raised at Mote!  Doc often does work for Mote in stories.

 This is the only one of several pictures that shows the bright, glowing pattern in the center of this gorgeous creature.

 Yes the tips are glowing.

 This is a lion fish.  Aptly named, don't ya think?

 Made my mouth water looking at this lobster, as Doc savors one every now and then.

Nearby was a bird sanctuary and rehab facility.  These great horned owls were napping, as were all the other nocturnal birds of prey.  Thoroughly enjoyed visiting this place and almost missed it.  

I will be glad to return here with Lynn, perhaps with Hugh when he visits soon and anyone else who would like company. It is very well done and well worth the almost $20 admission fee.  After all, these critters have to eat, too.  

Now that we have a jet pack, I may resume doing posts here instead of facebook once in a while.  They save better and it's easier to download lots of photos.  

Thanks for stopping by and having a look.  See ya real soon...

DC Adventure-4

June11, 2014

On this day we toured the White House and cameras were  not allowed.  We all took pictures outside with our phones, but I haven't had time yet to figure out how to put them here.  So, this will hold the space and capture a few notes for now.

The previous day Houston made a comment about being bored, so I decided to liven him up a little with a pop quiz. His task: get us to the White House on the metro trains and on foot.  Plus we had to be there at 9:15 so it was a good challenge.  Like a mini version of the Amazing Race TV show.

I didn't anticipate it at the time, but it was harder for Barbara than for Houston.  She had to let go of helping him for a little while and watch him struggle.  Of course I wasn't going to let him fail.  It was like my good ole instructor pilot days and I loved teaching him things and watching him learn and succeed.

It was outstanding!  The photographs, portraits, furniture, history...just being there made me feel so proud of our great country and its great leaders.

Then we went to the Museum of the American Indians for lunch.  We had wild caught salmon on cedar plank, bison cheese burger, fry bread taco, corn bread, and marinated bison loin. Our view through a large window was falling water.  We all enjoyed the peace and quiet after all the noise of the city.

The last time I here was 10 years ago for the grand opening with Laverne.  Remembering that day brought tears to my eyes several times.  We also saw Spirit the 7th Fire for the first time on the national mall.

Zoe and I donated to the museum during construction and our names are on a wall there. Lynn took a picture and posted it on facebook.

DC Adventure-3

June12, 2014

Patrick wanted to see the giant pandas which is how the zoo got on our list.  Afterward we all agreed it was a great choice.  He got the pop quiz for this day and had to navigate the metro trains. He did well!

 A big snapping turtle on the prowl!

 A big treat on this day was watching an orangutan traverse a rope high over the ground.  Barbara took an excellent video and I shared it on facebook.

The Amazon exhibit was a favorite and surprised us all with giant fish.  The boys had seen them on TV and were very excited to see the real things.

These Andes bears were having a ball and we got to watch!  In the wild they eat fruit and will stay up there for days.

Patrick finishing up his team leading duties while Lynn's back serves as a table.  A stranger came along and offered help and the young lad wisely took it!

We departed DC on Friday the 13th and it  was pop quiz time for Barbara.  She bravely drove The Beast while pulling the rig and did a splendid job from DC through Charlottesville.  

Oh yeah.  And and we bumped into the Obamas at the RV park store while checking out and our trip was complete. We made many good memories during this time together and will have stories to tell for years to come.  Next year we hope to do this again with Derick and the girls.  Oh yeah!

DC Adventure-2

June 10, 2014

This was our first day touring DC.  We used the trolley a lot and saw much in a short period of time.

 At the Air and Space Museum, Patrick tries his hand at flying a plane in a wind tunnel..He did very well!  We then "flew" the F-4 simulators and had a blast!

 My first visit to the Jefferson Memorial.  Awesome and inspiring.

 The more I read and learn about Lincoln, the more I am in awe of him.

 A view of the Jefferson Memorial from the trolley.

 Washington Monument.  Visible from so many places here.  It's almost like the center of it all.

 So many beautiful creatures at the Museum of Natural History.

 My peeps having a fine time at the aquarium.

 My lady Lynn's birthstone, sapphires.

A giant Arkansas quartz crystal. Reminded of Zoe.

And finally, the shot of the day.  My father-in-law, Don Blake, taught me photography when I was in my early 20's.  His lessons included developing film in a dark room.  It was always so exciting to see the images come to life and see what I had captured.  Today's picture taking usually removes this excitement.  Until this one.  The flash exposed far more than I saw while taking the picture.  So I didn't see it until the picture was downloaded.  Lynn didn't see it,either.  Surprise, surprise, surprise!!!

DC Adventure

The DC adventure began with traveling from Pisgah Forest to Forest, Virginia to pickup Barbara and the grandsons and attend Houston's confirmation.  Soon after arrival Oreo met Tinkerbell for the first time and it went very well!

Patrick and his pals just chillin' on the couch.  Patrick had just returned from Hersey, PA on a trip with his Nana.

Houston and his pal Daniel before the Confirmation.

It was a very fine ceremony as Pastor Propst about to put his hands on Houston.  

The confirmands after the ceremony and before the reception.

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No celebration is complete without cake.

The much prized name tag.  Houston is now a voting member of the church with all the rights and privileges that go with it.  Congratulations young man!  We're all very proud of your accomplishment!

Ringling

Entry to the "House of John".  John Ringling.

Lynn is in the foreground to show how large this banyan tree is.  What a beauty!

Lynn amongst the banyan tree.

The graves of John and Mabel Ringling and his sister, Ida.

Myra's niece Tracy is in the foreground.

Notice the ceiling....

The light shining through this marble is spectacular.  I took this picture right after discovering a "museum" setting on my camera.   Click on picture for larger view.

I call this the great hall, though I'm not sure of the real name.  

This is the tap room.  Oh yeah!

The great room looking toward the bay.  

 Myra in the foreground with the mansion behind.

The museum.  No pictures allowed inside.  This place is a must see for any art lover or lover of fine architecture.  It is truly awesome!

Home Signs

These are the signs of our home.  Jubilee! is our spiritual home in Asheville.  The Eagle is our physical home wherever we go.  And the newest sign lists the inhabitants of the Eagle, me, Lynn and Tinkerbell.

Today I was washing the front of the trailer when I looked up and saw a real bald eagle fly over at low altitude, 50 feet or so.  I quickly ran to tell Lynn and as we came back out, it made another pass and prepared to attack something: wings back, hovering, talons open.  Then it must have lost its' prey and went back to normal flight.  We were treated to a couple more passes before it went on its way.

A simple sight, yet very moving.  I was shaking so badly that I couldn't even get my camera out of the holster!  And Lynn was moved to tears.  Whew.

Life is good!  Sooo good!