SISTERS

Haven't had much to report this past week. We've been busy with hearing tests and MRIs but today Mary's sisters arrived for a visit.

Outside it's dull and wet but inside they are experiencing lots of laughter and sunshine.

 Of course out came the i-pods to share pictures of family and the latest trips. Wonderful to have the sisters together.

Next week we look forward to having Owen and Sherri visit.

Hopefully by then we will see the sun and can be outside with Owen.

FOX ON THE HUNT

Mary spotted this fox early this morning. Can you see him? Check the top right section of the photo. When first spotted he was much closer to the house, just at the edge of the tree line, but by the time I found my camera he had moved down to the edge of the pond.

He picked up a scent and moved back closer to us but found nothing worth digging for.

Our meeting was brief and then he was off again trotting along the pond still looking for breakfast.

This is the third time we've seen him so I'm guessing he must have a den nearby.

Love watching the critters as they move about our property. We are so lucky to be living here.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

MAPLE SYRUP

Yesterday we visited Gerry and Jackie's maple sugar bush.

They were busy loading the bins and keeping the fires going.

The steam is from all the water in the sap. It must be boiled off until you are left with just maple syrup. The flow of sap is totally dependent on the weather and so far it hasn't been a good year. Still, every bottle one gets is worth the work and time spent collecting. You must boil down forty litres of sap to get one litre of maple syrup.

Winter returned last night. Wish we were back on the beach.

Safe travels and thanks for stopping by.

FUN IN THE SUN IS OVER

Tomorrow we head home, our time in the sun is over. I will miss my morning walks to King Neptune but we have thoroughly enjoyed this relaxing time away.

This weekend is the Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon and the beach looks ready. They have been busy installing shelters, washrooms, registration desks and first aid stations all week.

From the number of portable washrooms brought in I would guess they are expecting a large crowd.

Shortly after we leave the roads will be closed and the race will begin. By then we should be in Pennsylvania.

Once home we won't have internet access until April the 6th. 

Until then, thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

THINKING OF HOME

Another beautiful morning here.

Some folks are out fishing, others exercising.

At 7 a.m. the boardwalk is quiet and I'm enjoying the walk and the sound of the waves rolling in.

Time to think of heading home. Good times pass too quickly.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

KING NEPTUNE

King Neptune sits on the boardwalk at 32 street a 34 foot bronze statue dedicated in 2006. He has become my morning destination. By walking from our unit I get in over 7,000 steps a little over 3 miles in distance. It's a great way to start the day.

Neptune is surrounded by all his sea creatures one might find off the coast of Virginia.

He will be here to greet you when you visit.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

CLOSE TO SHORE

When we first spotted this boat so close to shore we thought he was in trouble.

He was low in the water but still maneuverable, so maybe not in the distress we thought.

Talking with folks on the boardwalk this morning they thought it was likely a fishing boat. That probably was the case and would explain the low water ride; just wonder where all the guys are to look after the fish.

Another cool, foggy morning; but we don't mind as it is still warmer than back home.

Update:

The sun did appear after lunch today and we enjoyed a walk along the boardwalk.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

FOGGY

The fog has rolled in and we are experiencing typical coastal weather. Looks like a good day to visit the aquarium.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

OLD COAST GUARD STATION

Each morning I walk a little further north on the boardwalk. Today I reached this restored Coast Guard Station built in 1903. It is now used as a museum dedicated to the men who maned such stations along the Virginia shoreline. I just can't imagined jumping into that rowboat in the middle of a storm to rescue some crew-members from drowning as their ship floundered in the waves.

I find as I walk the deserted boardwalk my mind says "Run Art" and my body says "walk". Just wish they would make up their minds so I would know what to do.

TOO WARM

Looks like another beautiful day. Yesterday it got so warm we had to turn the air-conditioner on. 

For us, that's a great problem to have the first week of March.

How's the weather back home?

BEACH ZAMBONI

This is the "Beach Zamboni" It sifts the top layer of beach sand, removes any garbage and lays down a smooth layer as it passes.

Virginia Beach is beautiful, well cared for and enjoyed by everyone. Come for a visit, you won't be disappointed.

Enjoyed watching the sunrise this morning.

If you double click on the picture above you can see runners on the beach. Looks like guys from the naval base doing their morning exercises. 
Once Mary is up we will get our walk in before heading over to Trader Joe's.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day.

BEACH TIME

The weather is warmer and we enjoyed some time on the beach yesterday.

There's even a pirate ship for Owen to play on; but watch out for the old captain.

This morning we can see a container ship off in the distance. 

Once we finish breakfast we plan to walk the beach. Marvin encouraged us to get in at least three miles a day.

Have a great day everyone.

COFFEE ON THE DECK

This morning Mary enjoyed coffee on the deck. Still cool but lovely in the sun, out of the wind and a view to bring joy to your heart.

Time for a walk but first check out the benches along the boardwalk.

Mary pointing out the dolphins swimming just off shore.

Enjoying the beach in our bare feet. 

I hear spring has arrived back home, snow is almost gone. Looking forward to seeing green grass when we get home.

Thanks for stopping by.

FROM THE BALCONY

We are enjoying the view from our balcony. Still cool and windy but more folks are out and about today.

Some on bicycles........

Others walking or relaxing by the ocean.

Time for us to get down there and explore the boardwalk.

VIRGINIA BEACH

This is our view for the next two weeks. I think we will be doing some long beach walks once the warmer weather arrives. Unit is small but has a full kitchen and we can enjoy the ocean view from our balcony.

I'll post again later in the week.

VIRGINIA

We arrived safely in Virginia last night about 9. The first night on the road we stayed at this resort in Pennsylvania. It was deep in the woods and our GPS sent us off on an ATV trail to find it. That didn't work but the locals gave us directions and once settled in we had a good night's sleep.

We were up early and on the road before 9 yesterday. About noon we stopped at a Walmart just off the interstate and saw this shed off to the far side of their parking lot. Seems they cater to the Amish in the area. Yes, that's an Amish buggy made from diamond plate steel; never seen that before.

We thought our trip would last 7 hours until we hit this blockage on I-95. This lasted 4 hours and we finally cleared the scene about 8; another hour before we reached our resort in Virginia.

We will be here until Saturday, then over to Virginia Beach for a few days of sand and water.

Not sure when I will post again as we need to go to the resort office to use the internet service. 

Hope everyone is well and enjoying warm weather somewhere.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.