CLEARWATER

Snow white sand beaches, bright umbrellas, green mermaids, bikinis, bright colors and ocean waves.  A trip on the Jolly Trolley, Frenchy's Rockaway Grill sitting in the beach sand, serving fresh seafood and the famous crab claws.  A fun lunch venue.

Approaching Clearwarer, gorgeous day!!

You leave your boat for a minute, the birds take over and make it home.......

Catch of the day from one of the fishing boats.

Blue skies, white sands, palm trees - what more could you ask for in November?

Clearwater beach, complete with bronzed bodies and black socks in the sand!!!!!!!  Scary stuff.  

The family looking at the black socks!!!

Mermaid - feeling a bit green today!  I think she ate too much fish......

Not sure who this is, stands proud on Clearwater beach, anchor in hand, and THE finger!!!!  It wasn't me.

Seat yourself down at Frenchy's - one of the barstools.

Lots of fun peeps - group of bikers, mom and pop, funky young, beautiful and hungry!!

Need the bathroom girls?  Just follow the fish.

I wasn't exaggerating when I said it's IN the sand.

View from our front table, enjoying a delicious lunch of grouper sandwiches.

Gotta luv the lobster.

Boating home - looking back ashore at Clearwater Beach

Fun day - how to enjoy the Gulf Coast.  

HOMESTEAD at CHRISTMAS

Baubles, jingles and beads, reindeer, glitter and trees, poinsettias, paperwhites and elves, snowmen, cardinals and fairy lights by the gazillion - beautiful decorations - and I remember the reason for the season.  Just 15 minutes from Annapolis on Rt. 214 in Davidsonville, MD - Homestead Gardens is an all-season trip to gawk and stare and desire and want and hyperventilate and shop.  And get inspired to come home and decorate.

WELCOME TO ANNAPOLIS - a taste of what's to come...........

Annapolis, Maryland - looking back across the water from Eastport to the drawbridge across Spa Creek, the Annapolis Yacht Club, Marriott Hotel - boating mecca on the Chesapeake Bay.

Historic home in Annapolis

Galway Bay - Irish pub and restaurant on Maryland Ave.

Strolling State Circle

MISS VICKI'S ON THE RIVER - when in Florida

A Thanksgiving week trip to Florida to visit the family, and a few stops at "Miss Vicki's on the River", the Anclote River which flows through Tarpon Springs, FL into the Gulf.  Located in the Anclote Village Marina, this is an unexpected oasis, a bar and grill on the water, live music, and a fun crowd of visitors like me, and locals whose bum prints are permanently embedded on the barstools, including my brother, Ian.  I was lucky to be there when Jus' Jeff performed - what a great musician, he knows how to work the crowds and the girls flocked and gazed longingly - see photo below.   Then there is the ever fun, friendly and beautiful Libby to make sure the Pino Grigio is chilled and topped up, the outdoor beers are well insulated, and nobody goes home hungry.  I had the spicy shrimp wrap - oh so delicious, I dream of them and will have to try to make my own until I can return.  If you are in the area of Tarpon Springs, just north of Clearwater and Tampa, FL, make sure you stop by and say hi to Ian, I'm sure he's there!!!  Just one of the regulars.

Looking back at Miss Vicki's on the River, from the pier.

Could you end your day in a better location?

A few regular bottoms sitting on those famous Miss Vicki's barstools.

Pelicans flying in to spend the night, amazing sunsets - whilst sitting sipping a few glasses of chilled Pino Grigio on a warm evening.

Late afternoon shadows, many locals and visitors enjoy the gorgeous outdoor area and beautiful late fall weather.

JUS' JEFF performing - I would say NOT jus' Jeff - he was fantastic and entertaining - as you can see the girls flocked!

I see Ian!