Mt. Dora, FL

Thursday, we travelled to Mt. Dora, FL to visit with our friend Houston Vissage. We walked to Cody's on 4th for lunch. While dining, we met a family from Scotland and learned that you can repel mosquitoes by taking Vitamin B1 tablets. The family swears that it works. (Just thought you might find that as interesting as I did).

For dessert we stopped at a local shop that sells Kermit's Key Lime Pies, shipped direct from Key West, FL, and enjoyed a slice of Key Lime pie, dipped in chocolate, and served on a stick. It was heavenly!!  Afterwards, Houston took us for a ride, in his new Prius, around Mt. Dora and the beautiful lake.

For an afternoon refreshment we enjoyed a beverage by the lake in nearby Tavares, FL.

For dinner, we walked to Goblin Market. The food and service were equally fantastic. For dessert we headed upstairs to the bar and enjoyed chocolate martinis!

After a restful night of sleep we went to the Highland Street Cafe for breakfast. Then, we walked around the lake to enjoy a very nice breeze...and enjoyed seeing a gator!

A few other pics from Mt. Dora:

Shortly after Noon we loaded up the car and drove three and one-half hours to St. Simons Island, GA. The temperature soared to 100-degrees!  While here, we will visit with some of Mike's family, and will enjoy the beach during the Memorial Day weekend. Should be lots of fun!!  We are here for four days. 

Leaving Daytona

Time to move on to the next part of our vacation. We are traveling to Mt. Dora, FL today to visit our friend Houston Vissage. I am looking forward to this visit. Houston is so interesting and he has the best sense of humor!  

Here are some pics of our visit to Daytona Beach:

Daytona Beach

We arrived in Daytona Beach, FL today. Nothing but sunshine and ocean!

Block party, Dancing Goats, and a lost dog.

Today, Mike, Ron Hoffman, and I attended Delta's annual Block Party at their World Headquarters in Atlanta, GA. Thousands turned out to celebrate. It was good to see my friend of 40 years Nick Beatty in attendance!!  We enjoyed all the free food and beer that we could handle. 

Ron enjoyed a chair massage. 

Afterwards, we enjoyed a walk through Old Fourth Ward Park. It is a new park near the Ponce City Market. It is a live, work, play redevelopment of an old Sears & Roebuck retail store and warehouse. At the end of our walk we stopped to enjoy beverages at Dancing Goats Coffee. I enjoyed sitting in the warm sun and rocking in a chair on the outside patio. 

When we returned to Mark's to shower before dinner we were greeted by the welcoming committee. 

For dinner, we joined our friends Phil and Ronnie at Varuni Napoli, a new pizza joint that has opened on Monroe Drive, just down from the house where we lived before moving to Ecuador. I recommend that all of my Atlanta friends give it a try. We had delicious pizza and pasta!

Speaking of Phil ... he rescued a lost dog on Peachtree Street yesterday and called the number on the dog's tag. I am happy to report that EO has been reunited with her owners. 

Mike and I got to spend a little time with sweet EO too!!

Tomorrow morning we travel to Daytona Beach, FL. 

Vacation 2014

We left my mom's Monday morning and drove up to Clayton, GA to take a look at our property. Mike wanted to make sure there were no squatters. Everything was so green. 

After eating lunch at the local cafe, and visiting with friends, we drove back to Atlanta. We went to our friend Ron Hoffman's condo for drinks and were pleasantly surprised when our friends Scott, Travis, and Mark came walking in the door. We had a few cocktails and then headed over to The Colonnade Restaurant for dinner. It was delicious!  Afterwards, we headed back to Mr. Etheredge's place and we were able to spend some time with a few friends that were over to watch "24."  

Yesterday, we spent the day shopping at our favorite stores. Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, AT&T, DSW shoe warehouse, and had lunch at Which Wich (Atlantic Station). We then went to Burkhart's, met Chris and Adam at Hob Nob for dinner, then met friends at Amsterdam. WOW! What a busy day that was. 

Today, we met our friend Greg Clough for lunch at Chili's (Toco Hills). This afternoon we are going to see Phil Crumbley before having dinner with several of our friends from Delta Air Lines. We are meeting them at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, La Fiesta! Afterwards, Mike, Mark, and I will meet Ron Henderson for some "fellowship."  

Right now I am doing what I enjoy the most ... relaxing!

Things do not slow down tomorrow. Lunch with two friends, and former co-workers at Longhorn Steakhouse. Then, coffee with my friend Yong. After that, we are meeting friends at MIXX. 

We go to Daytona Beach on Sunday!

Mother's Day Surprise!

Mike and I arrived in Atlanta Thursday morning to begin our vacation. First on the agenda ... to surprise my mother for Mother's Day. Mike drove me up to Buford and my sister picked me up and drove me for the remainder of the mission.  When we arrived at mom's I hid beside my sister's car while my nephew went inside and told my mom to come outside, with her eyes covered. When she walked outside I shouted "surprise" !!!!!!  Success !!!!!

We walked around the yard admiring the flowers and plants in her yard. Under her storage building we viewed a bird's nest. 

During part one of our Atlanta visit we are staying with our friend Mark Etheredge.  Look at what he did ...

Pretty cool don't ya think?  Stay tuned for additional updates. We are in the USA until June 2nd. 

Cinco de Mayo

The fifth of May is just another day in Ecuador. Our favorite Mexican restaurant was actually closed!  However, we found one Mexican restaurant that was open. Nothing special going on there. Oh well, we made our own celebration.