We've been here about 3 weeks now, and are adjusting to the differences from the Northwest.... humidity, mosquitoes, lots of little gnats, alligators, big grasshoppers, more costly food, a higher overall cost of living, southern accents (sometimes I only get 1 of every 3 words), different plants, hurricanes, and so much more. A nightly ritual as evolved when we go to bed. We generally watch a little TV before turning out the lights and have found those little mosquito's and gnats join us in the bedroom. We now spend about 10 minutes each night chasing them as they fly to the light of the TV. We obviously don't get all of them as my legs and arms will attest. We keep windows and doors closed with screens, but we think the little buggers hitch rides in on our clothes each day.
First week we were here, took a number of drives to familiarize ourselves with the area, find the grocery, post office and Walgreen's. Pretty easy to get around if you remember a few of the freeway and highway numbers. Unlike living in the NW, there are no mountains or geographic reference points to remind you which way you are going. I find it difficult to know if I am going North, South, East or West if not on a major freeway and can read the signs. On the interior roads, I look for the sun (thank goodness it is generally sunny) and try and figure out which way I am headed. Deane is so much better at directions than me... he always seems to know which way to go.
Unlike Arizona, where the area is laid out in a grid and one can take a single road across the city, the roads here twist and turn, nothing goes straight through except a few streets. Even though we are, as the crow flies, about 10 miles from the major North-South freeway, I-75, it takes us about 20 miles to get to it.
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| Deane and Dennis |
Our schedules are more in sync this year. I work Sunday morning for about 5 hours, then Monday and Tuesday for about 4 hours each. Deane works Mon-Wed about 6.5 hours each day. He works with our neighbor Dennis, a widower from Michigan. Dennis was a fireman pre-retirement years. Dennis is a bit of an enigma, having been a firefighter he seems to have little regard for safety here on the job. There have been times where he wears no goggles or protective gear when using things like power branch saws or wood chipper. He had a large branch fall on his head/face when using a power saw trimming branches of a tree after Deane 'suggested' he might want to reposition himself. He also doused Deane with wood chips when he accidentally turned the chip shooter towards him one day. He's actually a great guy with a little dog named Molly, just a little to 'carefree' sometimes.
Sadly, like a lot of states, the Florida State Parks are self sustaining, meaning they get no funds from the state budget. So, they must pick and choose what they 'fix'. Deane was driving one of their older trucks, and discovered much to his fright, there were no brakes. When he reported it, the Rangers told them they were aware of the 'issue', and they just adjust to it by slowing down about 1/2 miles before they need to stop!!!!!! Appreciate the Oregon State Parks.... they are funded through the lottery, are well kept and maintained with equipment that works!
On our days off, we have been to Clearwater a couple of times which is about an hour away. One visit was to see a sidewalk chalk art contest, where the art was amazing and found ourselves fighting 25mph winds which was whipping sand into our faces. There was also a national beach volleyball tournament being played on the beach that day. Was interesting to watch them try and adjust for the wind. While there that day, I had the opportunity to meet and hold Rick, an Iguana who was quite happy to be held and tickled under his chin
We visited Tampa, been to the Aquarium and driven around the city getting familiar with where things are. We are excited there are many venues for live entertainment plus Busch Gardens! |
| Sunset from St. Petes beach |
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| see a resemblance? |
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| View of St. Petersburg from The Pier |
Have discovered a new food here, Stone Crabs. The only part of the crab they harvest and eat are the claws. But it is okay..... the crab re-grows his claws for another harvesting. Tastes very much like dungeness crab, but the claws have large chunks of meat. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_stone_crab
Like all non Floridians... we think alligators, manatees and turtles are cool and we want to see them in the live, not in a zoo. We have a couple of alligators near us, but every time we try and catch them sunning themselves, they dive into the water. We did manage to see a small alligator just resting in the water.... watching us watching him. Also found a cooter turtle, resting on a log. Looking forward to seeing the manatee's when the temperatures get a little cooler. They come more inland to find warmer water as the temps drop and the bay water gets cold.Discovered a little 'meat market' about 5 miles from us called Rick's. Now, this market has everything I think of when I think 'Southern'. Frog legs, gizzards, alligator bits, etc. I am constantly amazed when we grocery shop. There are things on the shelves here, I have never seen before. But Deane is loving it, because he can find his favorite tea, Luzianne, here in the stores. Before coming south he was buying it on line and paying way to much for it.
Holidays are coming up... we're not sure at this point what we will be doing. Have made reservations to spend 3 days in Disneyworld early in December. There is so much that is new to us, I am sure we will find a way to entertain ourselves.
A final note Some of you have written a note to us in our comments section and we would love to respond to you, but we do not have a way to do that. If you would like to contact us directly, you and reach Deane at: Deane707@yahoo.com or Terri at: essentiallady@hotmail.com.