Out and About. PJ’s Auto World in Clearwater

So where were you Saturday morning in this perfect “top down” weather?

We were at PJs Auto World in Clearwater.

PJ's Auto World

Hanging with Mr. Wayne

Mr. Wayneand Elwood and Jake Blues.

The Blues BrothersWe went south to Clearwater with the Citrus County Corvette and Camaro Club.  Just checking out the available inventory…

Old CarAlien mobile

Out and About. PJ's Auto World in Clearwater
Would have bought this one but it was the wrong color–“All Corvettes are Red”! But I really liked that stingray!
Out and About. PJ's Auto World in Clearwater
And in case there just wasn’t enough inventory at this PJs. There was another one a couple of miles away!
Out and About. PJ's Auto World in Clearwater
Lots of cars to choose from, but we’re sticking with our little red Camaro! (for now!)

 

Out and About: Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Ever heard of the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville?  Me neither.  KInd of sounds Hawaiian to me.  But no, Kanapaha means something about Native American’s living in palmetto thatched huts along a lake.  When we saw that the Citrus County Corvette and Camaro Car Club was planning a driving excursion there, we said “why not?”  

And that garden was amazing!  It was actually 25 specialty gardens on sixty-two acres of beautiful land bordering a lake.  (Kanapaha Lake–must be where those Native Americans lived in their palmetto huts once upon a time.)

Unusual plants, both native and from around the world, shade meandering paths; flowering vines entwine pergolas and gazebos; concrete mythical creatures hide in quiet corners; a bamboo forest shades a contemplative Buddha. Lovely.

We had two hours to explore and wander through the various gardens. Most of the plants and trees had markers and I was able to identify some of the unknown plants in my own yard, plus decide what plants I needed to add to my own gardens.   (I can’t stop thinking about those brick paths bordered with mondo grass and how good that would look in my shaded areas or how much I want to put in my own bamboo forest and Buddha.)

I took about 150 photos–all beautiful.  But 150 might be just a few to many to post here.  So I’ve just put up some of my favorites and in no particular order. 

Vine

ViewViewPineapple GingerDragon in Children's GardenChildren's GardenOne of many gazebosSucculent gardensucculent GardenPapaya

 PapayaGriffinGazeboChenille PlantBridge and padsPadspadsflowerflowerBirds Nest FernBambooBambooBambooBambooBudda in Bambo GardenBananasBottle Tree

Cars
There’s even a nice view in the parking lot!

The Garden is approximately 75 miles north of Citrus County–about an hour and a half drive.  According to the literature from the Garden, the best time to visit for blooms is from June through September.  They allow dogs as long as they are on a leash and we saw one little adorable Westie.  It would be a lovely spot for a wedding or just for a family photography session.  The admission fee for adults is $7 and there’s a discount for large groups.  A fun and inexpensive day trip.

Spread your tiny wings and fly away

In case you’re not old enough to remember that bit of a lyric, it’s from Snowbird by Anne Murray.  And if you do remember it, now you have that ear worm for the rest of the day.

And that’s the subject of this post. (Snowbird, not ear worm)

We were in North Dakota for six weeks.  Does that make me a snowbird?  Say it isn’t so!  I’ve been pondering it.  Keeping awake at night.  Tossing, turning.

So I looked Snowbird up on Wikipedia.  Not much help but it did mention that many snowbirds have RVs.  I don’t have one of those. Hey, I was only away for six weeks!  And I’ve endured those 24-hour sauna deep south summers since 1982.  

I’ve decided that you’re not a snowbird unless you arrive after Thanksgiving and leave before Easter.  Everyone okay with that definition?  Now I can sleep again.

Anyhow…..

Because I was in the great white north for six weeks, I got to experience a lot of ND family life.

I attended Riley’s first football game of the season.  (And possibly his last.)

Football
Riley’s number 20. By the way, he weighs 80 pounds and he’s in the 8th grade.  He’s small but FAST!
Football
He’s got the ball. Keep an eye on number 72.  That’s one big 8th grader!
Football
Go Riley!
Football
Uh-oh!
Football
And he’s down.
Football
That little pile of black uniform back there is our Riley!
Football
Oh yeah, a mild concussion and whiplash. But back up and at school the next day. No football until cleared by TWO doctors and the coach. Riley, it’s time to take up cross country.

I was entertained by this little lady for six weeks.

Piper Baking
Doesn’t she look like Suzy Homemaker? Adorable!  She should have her own baking show! And she needs a Kitchen Aid Mixer.  She’s going pro!

And I got to meet this darling baby when she was about 3 minutes old.  

Adley
Adley the Queen, 25 days old!

Gonna miss everyone but it was really COLD on our final walk with Maggie and the wind force was almost at cat 1 hurricane strength. Give me some Florida Sunshine!

Oh, and by the way, the bunch of them are coming to Florida in about seven weeks. (Except for Alan–someone has to stay and drive the train and keep that oil boom going!) So I’ve got some more quality grandkid lovin’ time coming up!