MY FLORIDA VISITS
INVERNESS
My first visit in Florida was to see my Uncle Roy, my Dad's youngest brother, who lives in Inverness with his wife, Gloria. I was reminded on my way to Roy's that a GPS does no good if you don't plug in the correct address. I found my way to his house in Hernando--unfortunately, he hadn't lived there for 10 years--lost again, even with the GPS! We spent a wonderful morning at Rainbow Springs State Park, which included a beautiful walk past waterfalls created by the springs.
Roy raises and races pigeons, so Penny made a new bird friend. We had a great time!
Question 3: Can you explain the homing mechanism used by racing pigeons to find their way home?
Gloria and Roy Penny and Roy 
Penny with racing pigeon friend
*********************
NEW PORT RICHEY
I took Rte. 41 to 589 to 54, ending up in New Port Richey to visit one of my dearest friends, Susie. Susie and Chuck live with their Labradoodle, Coalby, who is cuddled up below with Penny. 
Penny and Coalby
Susie and I spent a day in Tarpon Springs which is known for its sponges. There is a statue in the town dedicated to the "spongers".
Spongers Statue I caught a shark!
Susie and I drove everywhere in her black Solstice. I thought it was interesting that I was in a very old black convertible with my friend Mary Angela at the beginning of my trip, and then rode with Susie in another, much more modern black convertible towards the end of my trip.
Susie and me ready to go!
I spent a week visiting with Susie and Chuck. I swam everyday in their pool. We had great dinners and great times--thanks for the wonderful hospitality!
I would have loved to stay longer, but it was finally time for my trek northward to "home at last".
ON THE ROAD UPDATE
The Texas city I was visiting was San Antonio, where the most famous of the missions is the Alamo. The Alamo is, of course, known for the battle when Santa Ana and his Mexican troups recaptured San Antonio, killing all the Americans. Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were among those tragically killed in this battle.
Some of the Texas wildflowers in the picture are Texas paintbrushes, primroses, sunflowers and spiderwort.
On the I-10 way through Louisiana, I saw crayfish farms and the Henderson swamp. On past the Lake Charles bridge, I transfered to I-12 that took me north of New Orleans and back onto I-10 to Buloxi, Mississippi.
Question 1: What type of cooking uses crayfish and is associated with southern Louisiana?
Crayfish farm
Henderson Swamp
Lake Charles Bridge
Mississippi and Florida Adventures
I stopped at Buloxi, Mississippi, to meet some NY friends of mine who were vacationing there. The lighthouse survived Hurricance Katrina, but there is still much rebuilding going on there. I walked several miles along the beach, wondering at a sand castle decorated with junk washed up on the beach. I loved the feeling of the sand and water beneath my feet as I walked, enjoying the solitude.
Buloxi Lighthouse
Sandcastle with
"beach junk"
Buloxi Beach
I travelled Rte. 90 along the coast, back to I-10, through a small piece of Alabama, past Pensacola, Florida to Tallahassee. On the way, I stopped at the Ponce De Leon Springs State Park to step into the springs, hoping I might look younger as a result. Didn't work that I could tell!
Question 2: In what city did Ponce De Leon land originally?
Ponce De Leon Springs
I took Rte. 221 south from Tallahassee to Rtes. 19/99. As a NY Yankees' fan, I felt obligated to stop in Yankeetown to check it out. Other than "Yogi's" general store, I didn't find any Yankee memories. However, the fishing on the gulf looked wonderful!
The Gulf at Yankeetown
Time to head east on Rte. 44 to 41 to visit my uncle.
