3 Days, 1064 Miles, 1 Spouse, 1 Beagle...and a stand up on the SUP
We're in Florida.
I'll admit to being somewhat apprehensive about a 3 day, 1064 mile road trip with spouse and beagle, more so for the spouse than the beagle. Hank travels very well. Put his blanket on the back seat, he settles in and does precisely what he does all day at home. Sleep.
Dan-o and I have predominantly traveled with others--children, relatives, friends. This past fall we spent a few days on the road together and were both pleased to see that we 1) enjoyed each other's company and 1) enjoyed each other's company. The same held true for this southern sojourn. The first leg, Minnetonka to Arlington Heights, IL where we overnighted with my sister, is one we have done so frequently we probably could have driven with our eyes closed and not missed any toll booths or exits. Once we got through the flatlands of Illinois and Indiana, we liked going through Kentucky and Tennessee. Had Hank not been along, we would have been tempted to stop at one of the multiple distilleries advertised on billboards along the way. And the final leg was great because it was the final leg!
The last couple summers, my daughter Molly and I have been talking about going Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP). On our dedicated day to attempt this feat, it was too windy. No paddleboarding. I have been bound and determined to do this, so when I discovered that a paddleboard came with the townhouse we are renting, I decided that Sunday, April 2, the day after we arrived, I was going to attempt SUP on the Gulf of Mexico.
This plan was enabled when my brother, sister-in-law and 2 of their adult children decided to spend their spring break here. I knew my niece and nephew would be game for this adventure. They were.
Below, not unlike the evolution of the human, is pictorial representation of the evolution of the Stand Up Paddlboarder on the first try, I'll have you know. It was great. Yes, you needn't point out that the paddle is a kayak paddle rather than a paddleboard paddle. We went with what was in the garage.
Am I proud of myself? Oh, hell yes.
For about 15 years, my parents wintered on Sand Key, just south of Clearwater. Indian Rocks Beach is just south of Sand Key. We would have never, ever been able to take a spring break vacation if not for their willingness to rent a two bedroom condo so we could stay with them. They provided all our meals and one evening babysat so Dan and I could go out to dinner by ourselves. My dad typically made a guest appearance on the beach every day to play with his adored grandchildren. Being here brings back so, so, so many amazing memories and being with my sister and brother gave us ample opportunities to reminisce, tell stories and laugh, laugh, laugh. Tonight as we watched the sunset on the beach, I could feel and see my parents' spirits in the clouds, joyful that their children and grandchildren continue to come together harmoniously in a place they introduced to us and loved.
So under "Assorted Other Retirement Activities," file SUP and check that off the bucket list although I intend to develop increased expertise over the month we're here.
Cooking: Tonight my sister made Florence Compobasso's sauce so flip back to the previous blog entry where I gave you Flo's recipe and try it this week.
I'll admit to being somewhat apprehensive about a 3 day, 1064 mile road trip with spouse and beagle, more so for the spouse than the beagle. Hank travels very well. Put his blanket on the back seat, he settles in and does precisely what he does all day at home. Sleep.
Dan-o and I have predominantly traveled with others--children, relatives, friends. This past fall we spent a few days on the road together and were both pleased to see that we 1) enjoyed each other's company and 1) enjoyed each other's company. The same held true for this southern sojourn. The first leg, Minnetonka to Arlington Heights, IL where we overnighted with my sister, is one we have done so frequently we probably could have driven with our eyes closed and not missed any toll booths or exits. Once we got through the flatlands of Illinois and Indiana, we liked going through Kentucky and Tennessee. Had Hank not been along, we would have been tempted to stop at one of the multiple distilleries advertised on billboards along the way. And the final leg was great because it was the final leg!
The last couple summers, my daughter Molly and I have been talking about going Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP). On our dedicated day to attempt this feat, it was too windy. No paddleboarding. I have been bound and determined to do this, so when I discovered that a paddleboard came with the townhouse we are renting, I decided that Sunday, April 2, the day after we arrived, I was going to attempt SUP on the Gulf of Mexico.
This plan was enabled when my brother, sister-in-law and 2 of their adult children decided to spend their spring break here. I knew my niece and nephew would be game for this adventure. They were.
Below, not unlike the evolution of the human, is pictorial representation of the evolution of the Stand Up Paddlboarder on the first try, I'll have you know. It was great. Yes, you needn't point out that the paddle is a kayak paddle rather than a paddleboard paddle. We went with what was in the garage.
For about 15 years, my parents wintered on Sand Key, just south of Clearwater. Indian Rocks Beach is just south of Sand Key. We would have never, ever been able to take a spring break vacation if not for their willingness to rent a two bedroom condo so we could stay with them. They provided all our meals and one evening babysat so Dan and I could go out to dinner by ourselves. My dad typically made a guest appearance on the beach every day to play with his adored grandchildren. Being here brings back so, so, so many amazing memories and being with my sister and brother gave us ample opportunities to reminisce, tell stories and laugh, laugh, laugh. Tonight as we watched the sunset on the beach, I could feel and see my parents' spirits in the clouds, joyful that their children and grandchildren continue to come together harmoniously in a place they introduced to us and loved.
So under "Assorted Other Retirement Activities," file SUP and check that off the bucket list although I intend to develop increased expertise over the month we're here.
Cooking: Tonight my sister made Florence Compobasso's sauce so flip back to the previous blog entry where I gave you Flo's recipe and try it this week.
The trip was so easy that 1,644 miles seemed like 1,064.😊
ReplyDeleteThe trip was so easy that 1,644 miles seemed like 1,064.😊
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