Finished Summer Project

Well, now I'm back in Bethel Park after spending over a month in Lake Placid.  We had a great summer filled with family, friends, swimming and exploring.  It was also a sad summer.  One of my dear friends passed away in July and I can say that I'm glad I was there for his wife.  If I helped her in any way, I'm glad. Sue, I love you and am always a phone call away!

I finished the tiling project.  I think I did an ok job.  Not perfect, but 1000 times better than the old floor.

And I also replaced the cushions on my old handmade couch.  It looks SO much better now!

But, let's got back the the beginning of this summer's adventure.  Aidan and I left PA and headed to Tennessee to meet up with Lois, who was going to drive with us down to Florida.  We spent a couple days in Spring City, TN...a town with few redeeming qualities.

 We did get a few caches...

 ...and Aidan got to go swimming in a lake near the power plant where Lois works (for now).

Once we hit Florida, my first order of business was to repair my great grandfather's tombstone, which I was told by a distant cousin had a few pieces broken off.  With Lois's help, I think it should hold us for at least a few more years.

After Hatchbend, we headed to DeLeon Springs, where Lois has a house with her brother and his wife.  We went to the Reptile Discovery Center in Deland and had a great time watching them milk several venomous snakes.

Then we went to the Naval Air Museum at the airport in Deland.  It was fun and interesting!

Next stop was Lake Placid!

Sunset on Lake Persimmon

Istokpoga canal

Aidan, Sam and Britt at Highlands Hammock SP

Storm moving in over the orange groves near Lake Apthorpe

Eva surprised Mom with a visit!

Little black racer on the porch

Highlands Gun Club. Shooting with my sister and her husband

Love this beautiful cow!  South of 70 near Archbold Biological Station

Gatorama with Aidan and BG

Swimming at Lake June

Caching with Sue and Lois

Another sunset.  This one was out at the Royce Unit of the Lake Wales Ridge

Baby cardinal.  Sadly, he didn't make it :(

Fort Meade with Sam

In search of the bird circles in Lake Placid

My home away from home.  It's actually going to be ours soon!  My sister finally decided to sign it over to us.  Yay!!!

George at Lake Francis

Big old battle scarred gator at Highlands Hammock

We did it!  We tubed on the Ichetucknee River!!!

All in all, I'd say we had a pretty good summer!