Mothers Day 2022

While Lynn and Jamie were in Cocoa Beach, FL today enjoying the sun and sand, Tracy and grandkids Jonathan, David, and Serafina were at The Simple Church in Bossier City, LA (Shreveport area). Why you may ask! Today is Mothers Day, and that church was doing a very special segment in their Hidden Figures series about motherhood. They were interviewing Grace, who we know as the surrogate "Tummy Mom" for our twins, Jonathan and David. Unbeknownst to Grace, the church had flown Tracy and Fina down there with the twins to surprise Grace. And surprise her they did! The video of their service today is here. The interview with Grace begins at 46:30 and Tracy and the gang enter at 1:05:25. It's quite a story for Mothers Day!

The Cocoa Beach gang had a relaxing day swimming in the pool, visiting the beach, and, of course, eating. We watched the Simple Church service on the outdoor TV under the thatched covering. Today's eating establishments were Coconuts on the Beach and the 4th Street Fillin Station with its four pages of ice cream items! All today's photos start here.

The Simple Church's Mothers Day surprise!

Watching the Simple Church surprise under
the thatched cover in Cocoa Beach.

Coconuts on the Beach

4th Street Fillin Station

Twilight discovery on the beach

Now there's a friendship rock!

Cocoa Beach

Next stop, Cocoa Beach! Hadn't seen the Atlantic Ocean in over 50 years! Well, except for that dinner on Maine's coast when we were visiting colleges with Trevor; three lobster tails each! All the Cocoa Beach photos start here.

Jazzy's Mainely Lobster

There was a canal system throughout the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Tracy
finished the Pomegranate puzzle.

Home away from home in Cocoa Beach

On the Water in Florida

This was boat day in the Orlando area! First up was Marsh Landing Adventures which took us by airboat around the everglades hunting for alligators. What a hoot and a half! And then on to Get Up and Go Kayaking (Rock Springs) where we glass-bottom kayaked up a small, lazy river (big creek) a little over a mile then lazy-rivered it back to where we started. Both were fantastic trips! Sunscreen and bug spray are a very good idea for both trips. We had a fun dinner at 4 Corners Tavern just outside Reunion Resort at Champions Gate. All the photos from today start here.

We're told this alligator was several hundred pounds.

Another alligator at a couple hundred pounds.

Epcot

We walked a great deal today, all around Epcot, and Lynn's knee did very well with the assistance of a wheelchair to both ride and use as a walker. Mission Space is quite the ride, and orange is pretty thrilling (pay attention to the warnings). We ended the day with dinner at Traditions (at Reunion Resort) and a couple rounds of Monopoly Deal - a card game version of Monopoly. Different. Fun. The game is available at Walgreens for less than $10, and there are online versions, too. Today's photos start here.

Peanut Butter Tree!

A G-scale railroad layout!

A bonsai bougenvillea!

Winter Park, FL

Nana and Papa drove to Winter Park, FL (about an hour from the condo at Reunion Resort). The drive had lots of toll stops (have lots of dollar bills and quarters available). The main attraction was a Scenic Boat Tour around three lakes connected by a couple very narrow canals. This outfit has been operating since 1938! The hour flew by enjoying the sites and listening to all the stories our captain had to share. By sheer luck, we found a great Indian/Thai restaurant just up the hill from the boat place, along Park Ave, called Tabla. Right in that vicinity are several blocks of great shopping and eating; we could have spent hours and probably big bucks. All today's photos start here.

The back side of the condo.

Fred Rodgers lived here when going to Rollins College
which is also on the lake.

Orlando!

Nana and Papa made it to Orlando Florida today! They stayed at the Westin at the Denver Airport last night before flying out a bit early this morning. Cool place, the Westin, but not sure it's worth the high price. We sure did enjoy it, though. Arrived safely in Orlando, found the condo, and had dinner at Traditions at Club Nicklaus (yes, Jack Nicklaus). We wrapped up the day with a little grocery shopping at Publix, which was new to us.

The airport itself as seen from the DEN Westin. The Westin itself
is shaped like a huge wing as seen as you approach.

Yes, we indulged (on the right).

Part of Denver's light rail system. This part of the line goes
from DEN to Union Station downtown.

DEN Westin lobby

Grill & Vine restaurant at the DEN Westin.

A glimpse of the Orlando airport tower from the tram.

Tooling by the neighborhood in Reunion Resort.

Had a great dinner at Traditions at Reunion Resort.

Our home away from home on Whisper Way.