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  3. 2013 Van Trek

Van Trek Feb. 2013

The first month of our retirement—friends, family, and Florida
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  • M 2/4/13 Teddy and Flat were happy to finally get on the road.

    M 2/4/13 Teddy and Flat were happy to finally get on the road.

  • The TN side of the mountain was beautiful and snowy. After we left Boone, the snow started to disappear.

    The TN side of the mountain was beautiful and snowy. After we left Boone, the snow started to disappear.

  • We spent Monday night with our dear friends Ron and Reba Mayers in Durham, NC.

    We spent Monday night with our dear friends Ron and Reba Mayers in Durham, NC.

  • TU 2/5/13 Before we left town, we drove by the house where we lived in Durham. We were there 1975-1978.

    TU 2/5/13 Before we left town, we drove by the house where we lived in Durham. We were there 1975-1978.

  • Tuesday we drove down to Port Wentworth, GA to see our best friends from college, John and Peggy Smith. We had my birthday dinner at Ruby Tuesday.

    Tuesday we drove down to Port Wentworth, GA to see our best friends from college, John and Peggy Smith. We had my birthday dinner at Ruby Tuesday.

  • Peggy and me

    Peggy and me

  • Peggy and John

    Peggy and John

  • John and Art

    John and Art

  • Some things never change . . .

    Some things never change . . .

  • WED 2/7/13 After breakfas with the Smiths, we headed south again, hoping to get warm! We kept seeing trees with red "leaves" so we stopped to see what they were. Turns out they were maples.

    WED 2/7/13 After breakfas with the Smiths, we headed south again, hoping to get warm! We kept seeing trees with red "leaves" so we stopped to see what they were. Turns out they were maples.

  • Turns out they were maples, which put out red "flyers" before the leaves, just like the ones in our yard. I didn't know maples went this far south.

    Turns out they were maples, which put out red "flyers" before the leaves, just like the ones in our yard. I didn't know maples went this far south.

  • Drove down to Brunswick/St. Simon's Island. I love the huge live oaks in this area. This one is in front of the library on St. Simon's Island.

    Drove down to Brunswick/St. Simon's Island. I love the huge live oaks in this area. This one is in front of the library on St. Simon's Island.

  • St. Simon's Island lighthouse.

    St. Simon's Island lighthouse.

  • Supper at a local park. It was a bit cool, so we decided to move on tomorrow, since we've seen this area before.

    Supper at a local park. It was a bit cool, so we decided to move on tomorrow, since we've seen this area before.

  • Heading off the island to spend the night in Brunswick.

    Heading off the island to spend the night in Brunswick.

  • Th 2/7/13 Happy to be in Florida!

    Th 2/7/13 Happy to be in Florida!

  • Crescent Beach, beautiful but cool and windy, so we didn't stay long.

    Crescent Beach, beautiful but cool and windy, so we didn't stay long.

  • Ormond Beach Alliance Church, FL - They let us stay when WM wouldn't. We found that WMs along the coast don't allow camping, so we had to go to "Plan B." More about this on our blog, abjoyce.us.

    Ormond Beach Alliance Church, FL - They let us stay when WM wouldn't. We found that WMs along the coast don't allow camping, so we had to go to "Plan B." More about this on our blog, abjoyce.us.

  • Pastor Doug at Ormond Beach Alliance. Amazing man of God who has a real love for homeless people. The church is open 24/7 for them, and over half of those he has helped have come to Christ. Amazing story.

    Pastor Doug at Ormond Beach Alliance. Amazing man of God who has a real love for homeless people. The church is open 24/7 for them, and over half of those he has helped have come to Christ. Amazing story.

  • Fri 2/8/13 Fortunato Park, Ormond Beach. We spent most of the day here while Art tried to sleep off a cold. Lovely views of the intracoastal waterway.

    Fri 2/8/13 Fortunato Park, Ormond Beach. We spent most of the day here while Art tried to sleep off a cold. Lovely views of the intracoastal waterway.

  • Original cupola from Ormond Hotel, see next slide.

    Original cupola from Ormond Hotel, see next slide.

  • The Ormond Hotel was built 1888. In 1914, John D. Rockefeller rented a whole floor for his staff and guests. Later he built a "cottage" across the street, called The Casements. This building is actually condominiums built on the same site as the hotel, which was torn down in the 70s because it couldn't be saved.

    The Ormond Hotel was built 1888. In 1914, John D. Rockefeller rented a whole floor for his staff and guests. Later he built a "cottage" across the street, called The Casements. This building is actually condominiums built on the same site as the hotel, which was torn down in the 70s because it couldn't be saved.

  • Scenic drive, Ormond Beach, FL

    Scenic drive, Ormond Beach, FL

  • A live oak with a natural hole in it, on the Scenic Drive.

    A live oak with a natural hole in it, on the Scenic Drive.

  • Supper at sunset, Sanchez Park, Ormond Beach.

    Supper at sunset, Sanchez Park, Ormond Beach.

  • SA 2/9/13 The Casements, summer home and last residence of John D. Rockefeller. It's across the street from the Ormond Hotel. He entertained guests for several years at the Ormond, but got mad at them because of a dispute about his bill, so he bought this house in which to entertain. It had 13 bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, unheard of in that day.

    SA 2/9/13 The Casements, summer home and last residence of John D. Rockefeller. It's across the street from the Ormond Hotel. He entertained guests for several years at the Ormond, but got mad at them because of a dispute about his bill, so he bought this house in which to entertain. It had 13 bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, unheard of in that day.

  • The Casements was named for all the beautiful windows.

    The Casements was named for all the beautiful windows.

  • The Casements living room, looking into the sunroom

    The Casements living room, looking into the sunroom

  • Ormond Beach, birthplace of speed. The guide told us that H. L. Bowden, who drove his Mercedes at 109.76 mph set a speed record on Ormond Beach. His tires, which cost $1600 apiece and were made of silk and rubber, were good for only one run.

    Ormond Beach, birthplace of speed. The guide told us that H. L. Bowden, who drove his Mercedes at 109.76 mph set a speed record on Ormond Beach. His tires, which cost $1600 apiece and were made of silk and rubber, were good for only one run.

  • We decided to visit Daytona and drive on the beach.

    We decided to visit Daytona and drive on the beach.

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  • Flat and Teddy wanted to check it out.

    Flat and Teddy wanted to check it out.

  • Flat loves the beach, but Teddy isn't so sure. He decided to wait in the car, saying he was cold. Unusual for a bear to say that, isn't it?

    Flat loves the beach, but Teddy isn't so sure. He decided to wait in the car, saying he was cold. Unusual for a bear to say that, isn't it?

  • Art shows Flat some birds.

    Art shows Flat some birds.

  • The colors were amazing.

    The colors were amazing.

  • Awww.

    Awww.

  • Birds on the beach

    Birds on the beach

  • Flat found a seagull feather.

    Flat found a seagull feather.

  • Flat tells Teddy about his adventures.

    Flat tells Teddy about his adventures.

  • Bill and Lois Nabors, at their lovely home in The Alliance Home of DeLand community. Blessed fellowship with them and other friends living there.

    Bill and Lois Nabors, at their lovely home in The Alliance Home of DeLand community. Blessed fellowship with them and other friends living there.

  • Bonnie with Una Touchton and her daughter Betty Sue. Una was my Pioneer Girl leader and I hadn't seen her since our wedding. Another precious time of fellowship.

    Bonnie with Una Touchton and her daughter Betty Sue. Una was my Pioneer Girl leader and I hadn't seen her since our wedding. Another precious time of fellowship.

  • Part of Una's lovely tropical 26-acre homestead

    Part of Una's lovely tropical 26-acre homestead

  • On Sunday evening, we drove up to The Villages, where my cousin Judy and her husband Jerry live. Judy fixed a lovely breakfast for us the next morning.

    On Sunday evening, we drove up to The Villages, where my cousin Judy and her husband Jerry live. Judy fixed a lovely breakfast for us the next morning.

  • My dad's sister, Aunt Ruth, is Judy's mom. She lives with them, but at present she is staying at a lovely rehab center while recovering from a stroke.

    My dad's sister, Aunt Ruth, is Judy's mom. She lives with them, but at present she is staying at a lovely rehab center while recovering from a stroke.

  • On Monday, Jerry and Judy showed us around The Villages, and Judy took us to a concert that evening.

    On Monday, Jerry and Judy showed us around The Villages, and Judy took us to a concert that evening.

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