We arrived home safely on 25 August 2015 after an amazing summer visiting family and friends!
We spent the last few days watching trees being taken down with Bill and Charlotte. Now one can see the sky more clearly while sitting on the screened in porch watching the birds and squirrels. What fun to watch such big trees being taken down especially when Charlotte's wonderful cookies were eaten for snack as we watched. The team of guys who were working also were thankful for the snacks. Tom and Charlotte also spent time together in the Kitchen cooking for Bill and I! Of course we had to go back to a couple of our favorite restaurants before we left too!! Always difficult to leave this home away from home too.
We packed up and headed back "on the road" on August 21st. We traveled north on the back roads that we had not taken before to Panacea, Florida to spent a couple days with Mary and Andre. Maryann and Mary went to Nursing School together in Washington D.C. (1966-1969) Not only did they feed us with the best homemade foods but also took us to Wahulla Springs State Park. We took a river boat ride on the spring waters where we saw alligators, turtles, beautiful birds and manatees in this deepest and largest freshwater spring in the world. Also went to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge where we explored the coastline and lighthouse before having a late afternoon picnic lunch. What a treat for us to meet Mary and Andre's daughter and her husband and their daughter Awana. Awana certainly gives great hugs!! Their home is right on the river so were able to watch a spectacular sunset together . Definitely a beautiful area of Florida that we enjoyed. Once again Mary and Andre welcomed us into their life and made us feel right at home!! We even watched an old time movie together...just like home!
After a hearty breakfast, we headed up the road about 4 hours to Niceville, Florida area. It is always so good to see Ann and Jim. This time we even got to see Ann's daughter Kathy. We had not seen Kathy since she was about 7 years old. Kathy and Mikey used to play with Kelly and Carrie who were the same ages when we were in Germany. Also got to meet their friends and had a great dinner "walking down memory lane"!! We decided to go to Destin, Florida for a night and check out the Destin MWR Army Villas for a future family trip. Very nice accommodations on the Choctawhatchee Bay, just minutes from downtown Destin. This area of Florida is called 'the Emerald Coast"....beautiful white sands and deep blue and green waters. From there, we headed just up the road to Niceville, Florida to spend time with Joe and Sandy and Hope and Lizzie Grace their adorable Shih Tzu family members. Once again Hope and Lizzie Grace were at the door to greet us with tales wagging! Sandy and Joe took us to a new German Restaurant in Niceville. The food and service at Helga's was so good, we thought we were back in Germany!! If you are in the area...it is a must! Tom was also glad to be able to get back in the kitchen and do some cooking for all of us! We were also able to take them back to Destin to show them the MWR cabins. We also checked out the Maxwell AFB MWR area near the Mid-Bay Bridge on the Eglin side before you cross over the bridge. Also took a detour to the Emergency Room in Niceville as Tom's leg began to get more swollen and red again. More IV antibiotics and instructions to follow up when we arrived home the next week. We think that Joe and Sandy were meant to live in Niceville as each time we visit, we feel that NICENESS ...but may want to check with the Chamber of Commerce and change their address to Absolutely Wonderful-ville!!
Now it was time to travel to Spring, Tx. to spend time with Fred and Belinda, our friends that we met when we lived in Austin, Tx. Maryann and Belinda met while attending orientation at Breckinridge Hospital where they worked together...and as it was meant to be our families became family!! We just spent the time being together .. Fred and Tom cleaned the pool and mowed the yard while Belinda and I went out and about. We had not had a pedicure together...so we did!! One more item to put on and take off the "bucket list"!! Lots of talking, getting "take-out" and even watched a movie together in our short visit. Just being able to do the "everyday" stuffs with our friends makes our visits so special...and eating of course. Of course Fred and Tom discussed sports!! We also discussed our plans for future travels together in the near future!! They treated us to a wonderful brunch at a "must return to" restaurant before we headed West! We stopped in San Antonio to eat at Magnolia's before we headed home to Tucson. We were really surprised and happy to see how green the mountains and vegetation was in West Texas and New Mexico and even along I-10 into Tucson.
We have been home for two weeks now and are getting settled back into our Tucson life. Of course, we have seen our grand girls...and do they give some GRAND Hugs and Kisses. This past weekend we had Samantha, Kirsten and Emme for sleep over.
Molly had a function for Girl-Scouts so could not join us so was so good to see her on Sunday. We had all over for dinner on Sunday to catch-up with all our Tucson Family and their summer activities.
Update on Tom's leg injury from 2 July. He was seen by his primary care doctor on
1 September and then by Infectious Disease on 4 September. His leg is finally on the way to healing. He is to continue on the two antibiotics for a couple more weeks and then will return to the Infectious Disease doctor for follow up. We look forward to seeing you all again and make more memories maybe traveling together!!
Just let us know when you want to come and spend time with us here in Tucson...we have the light on!!
God Bless and loving hugs,
Tom and Maryann
~Don 't think of the things you didn't get after praying. Think of the countless blessings God gave you without asking~ AND...we count each of you as our special blessings and thank you for having us in your life.
ALSO
~No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until they come home to rest their head on their old familiar pillow~
