Today is our last full day in Florida.  We decided to head to our favorite beach.  We packed a picnic lunch and landed on the beach at 11:00 a.m.--before the crowds!

It almost looks like snow but it's powder white sand.  We enjoyed an hour of sun and surf and then I decided to eat my sandwich.  I no sooner took my first bite and I heard this terrible screeching noise and all of a sudden about five birds descended upon me and ripped my sandwich out of my hand.  Obviously I did not take a picture of it but how about this.....???

This is what one of those little critters look like when they are strolling around the grounds.

Notice that the bird did not bother David while he was eating his lunch!  What's up with that?? 

After three hours on the beach we decided to face the inevitable and get the rest of our packing done.  It went remarkably well.  David and I decided we are quite a team!!

The kids both called us today and asked us if we were anxious to come home.  My immediately reply was ---"we are ready."  We had a super-wonderful time and we thank God for this great opportunity to be with Roger and Lee Ann, to meet some new friends, and  to enjoy Florida in the winter!! 

Stay tuned for our trip home!

On Saturday we got together for dinner with Roger and Lee Ann's neighbors, Kathy and Jim Brown.  It is so fun to meet such nice people.  Jim mastered the grill and made some delicious hamburgers!!

Jim and Kathy are from Michigan and they usually spend six months out of the year in Florida.  It gives them some real quailty time on the golf course.  Kathy is responsible for all the color in their Florida home.  She is a talented artist!

How about that hamburger?  Good job, Jim!  Roger is about to dig in!!

On Sunday Roger, Lee Ann, Dave and I went to a concert at a local church here.  Take a good look at these pictures.  Who is this??

How about this one?  For those of you not from the Le Mars area, these are The Browns.  What a surprise to meet up with them in Englewood, Flordia!!

We had a lovely day with Roger and Lee Ann.  After lunch and visiting at one of our favorite restaurants, we did a little shopping.  Who's having fun here?

It was a great weekend with family and friends!

We met this fun couple while hobnobbing around Englewood.  And guess what??  Their names are Dave and Carole!!   How fun is that?  We ended up spending a day in Boca Grande which is about 30 minutes from Englewood.

Dave and Carole spend six months out of the year in Englewood.  They are from Indiana and are semi-retired.  Their dog is named GraySea.  I am sure I did not spell that right, did I Carole?

They gave us a wonderful tour of the Island and one of the sights included the Lighthouse on the Gulf as ships come into Charlotte Harbor.  It is now a museum and we enjoyed browsing through the rooms.

We had lunch near the water at Boca Grande Marina.  The weather was perfect!



Dave and Carole were familiar with the historic Gasparilla Inn and showed us through the lobby and sitting areas. 



David and I in front of the Inn.  Notice the wood floors on the outside entry. 

Below is the Inn's pool with the Gulf of Mexico in the background.

We enjoyed Ice Tea on the Gazebo which is right on the Golf Course.  It would not be unusual to see the Bush's golfing there. They love this area and they bring the whole family . Boca Grande is a quaint, quiet little island where many of the people have given up their cars and now drive golf carts to the shops and restaurants.

One of the sitting rooms at the Gasparilla Inn.

We had a great day!  I didn't take any pictures of the shops because I was too busy looking at things.  We were all happy to visit the Ice Cream Shop. Sorry, no Blue Bunny there, but we have seen Blue Bunny in the area of our cottage.

Well, it's countdown to the end of our stay here.   We have loved this but we will also love coming home to see family and friends!!

David and Karol



We've had a couple of quiet days, taking in the sand and surf but today we are back out seeing the sights.  Roger took David and I to Anna Marie Island.  Lee Ann was a little under the weather so she wasn't able to come along. Quick recovery, Lee Ann!!

We began by having breakfast at the end of this pier.  It was just a little "mom and pop" place but every table was sitting by the window overlooking the Gulf and the food was out of this world!!!

After eating we went down to the first level and sat outside. I mostly sat down so I wouldn't accidently trip and go overboard. It was a LONG way down!  David wanted me to pretend that I was talking on the phone. See that man at the very edge of the deck behind me.  He was leaning way over the edge!!

We walked down Bradenton Beach Pier. There were people fishing off the edge. Pelicans and sea gulls every where.

We browsed in a few of the shops.  I decided not to buy the hat because there is no place to wear it in Le Mars, but it was fun trying things!

A clerk convinced me to try out this real cool chair.  After walking a lot, I was glad to oblige!  Now where could I put this chair when we get home to Le Mars??  Hmmmmmm!  Our front porch will probably have snow on it when we get back!!

We had a picnic lunch in a park near a harbor.  It was fun to look at these beautiful boats.  It was a little chilly for part of the day so we wore our jackets.

Shall we buy this one, kids??

We went to Siesta Key Beach.  It was so awesome. It's listed as the #1 Rated Beach in the USA.  The sand was like white powder and we can't wait to go back on a warmer day.  They say you can find sand dollars on this beach.  To the grandkids:  If we find any, we will be sure to save one for each of you!

We felt like we were on a beach in the Bahamas instead of Florida.  We plan on spending a few "beach times" here in the next 10 days.  Just a mite too chilly today although there we people having fun in the waves.

Here's David's greeting for you!  We don't have time to send postcards so this will have to do!

We stayed long enough to get this sunset picture.  The beach was nearly empty at this point but it was well worth seeing this beautiful scene that God painted across the sky.

We had to get this picture so you get the "vacation vibe!"

It was a great day!  We are so blessed to be in Florida for this month.  We thank God for it every day!!

Love from us both!

David and I spent time at Englewood Beach.  The water was spectacular.  Some people were swimming but not us.  We were perfectly happy to absorb the sun.  I took a long walk down the beach to collect some interesting shells.

The waves seemed high today.  This lady actually took a swim.  I talked with her and she is from Canada.  She lives on the water but it's too cold to swim at any time.  She couldn't resist!

We enjoyed a fire at Roger and Lee Ann's.  Their neighbors, Kathy and Jim were also invited.  We roasted hotdogs, had salads and finished off with Strawberry Pie.  It was a great night to be outside.

It's always fun to shop a little.  You have to find something to do on those "cool" days when the beach is not calling us.

We had lunch at an old fashioned Soda Fountain in Venice. 

Sunday after church we headed up to Venice for the Arts Festival.  The weather was perfect for it and we spent an enjoyable time browsing amongst the vendors.

David and I

David and Roger

Okay....I have one package!  Not bad!  Actually there was way too much to choose from.  Couldn't make up my mind.

Afterwards we had dinner at Sharky's on the water.

Roger- Lee Ann- Karol- David

Towards late afternoon it starts to cool down so jackets are necessary.In April and May they tell us it is warmer in the evenings.  We are not complaining about "cooler" temperatures.  After all (as David and I keep reminding each other)....it's January!!  Bye for now!!

Welcome back to the Horken Travel Blog!  We had to stop the fun and have a Laundry Break!  Here's how Floridians do their laundry----outside, of course!

 This is at Roger and Lee Ann's new house.  They aren't living there yet because they are putting the finishing touches on the house---but the laundry room is up and running and we are glad!!

David is doing his part with the laundry, don't you think??

Roger and Lee Ann took us on a drive down the coast and found some lovely houses.  

Who cleans these things anyway??  Not the homeowner--that's for sure!

On Saturday night we went to "Crusin' On Dearborne."  Roger and Dave took lots of pictures and enjoyed the cars.  Lee Ann and I started out with them but ended up wondering in and out of the gift shops on Dearborne.  Very fun!!

Notice the license plate.....it's from Iowa!!

Cars.....outside.....

....and in.....

That's when Lee Ann and I headed for the shops!!

The weather was beautiful and the people were everywhere---enjoying the cars, the music, the food and the shopping.

Dave thought I should take a picture next to my new Mary Kay "car!!" 

On Sunday after church we headed up the coast to a beach in Venice, Florida.

David, Roger, Karol and Lee Ann

This is as deep as we went.  The water in January is very cold.  It did feel good, however!

Roger and I were hunting for shark's teeth among the shells.  We found some!!

Lee Ann, we love your hat! 

I can hardly believe that we have been here for nine days already.  We are enjoying the quiet times of talking, reading, shopping and sunning.  We are so thankful that we have had this opportunity to visit with family and have a "time out" in this wonderful environment.