We spent the last 2 months of 2014 doing a lot of
traveling to visit many many friends and relatives. It was a welcome break from all things
boating (and all things needing fixing), and a reminder of what is really
important in life.
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| Just south of Mrytle Beach is Brookgreen Gardens. The caged bird habitat held many egrets & herons. This blue night heron was common in Louisiana. |
In addition to our regular annual family get-togethers
in Tennessee for Thanksgiving and in New Orleans for Christmas, we were able to
meet up with many of our Power Squadron friends – from both the Chattanooga
Squadron as well as the New Orleans Squadron.
We also started acting like tourists in the local Myrtle
Beach area, by spreading around some of our social security check. In particular, we visited Brookgreen Gardens,
a complex of former rice plantations which has become an extensive outdoor
sculpture garden, and we took in a Christmas show at the Alabama Theater in the
Barefoot Landing part of town.
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| At Brookgreen Gardens, the children's play area had interesting rules. (click to enlarge) |
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| Sue's uncle in Ohio was pleased to see us again. |
And, to demonstrate just how much we’re on the ball, we
actually got Christmas cards in the mail BEFORE Christmas! Ahhhhh…..this retired life, with nothing to
do!
Lots of photos here, to highlight our many friends and
family.
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| My aunt in Ohio is just as spry as ever! |
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| Our best friends in Chattanooga, John & Susan, have opened their house to us each time we visit Sue's mom. As fellow Power Squadron members, they have become true friends. |
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| Our boating friends from New Orleans, Greg & LizAnn, opened their home to us when we met our family in town for Christmas. Greg & LizAnn aboard their sailboat "Lagniappe" (a true New Orleans name) met us twice along the Atlantic coast as they cruised from Maine to the Bahamas. |
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| 3 generations share a laugh. Sue, her mother, and our daughter Lynne. |
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| At Christmas, we joined the party at mom's place. How do you like my sweater (from the ugliest sweater contest!) |
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| In New Orleans, our wonderful super perfect granddaughter Madeleine set up the "Christmas Café" to cook & serve the Christmas dinner. |
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| Where but New Orleans would Santa's skiff be pulled by 8 alligators! You need to read "The Cajun Night Before Christmas" |
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| Passing thru Atlanta, we stopped at Stone Mountain to climb the big granite rock. At 700' above the surrounding area, we started getting nose bleeds, since we live at sea level. We got smart & took the tram back down the mountain. |
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| We enjoyed the Stone Mountain village as it was lit up for Christmas |
