We left FL 6/20 and went to Pigeon Forge for a week, really enjoyed our time there in a beautiful condo on the Little Pigeon River.
Left there and drove to Lexington, KY; Spent 4 days there touring horse farms and having a great time learning so much about the history of racing horses.
Headed then to Chattanooga, TN; taking advantage of the Tennessee Aquarium (Beautiful and fun); the Incline Railway; Rock City, Ruby Falls, Chattanooga Choo Choo, river tour on the Southern Belle riverboat.
Then came to Clearwater, FL; visiting the sights of Clearwater, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, and St. Pete. Today we came home which is on the east side of FL.
We travelled off the beaten path highways instead of interstates except from Knoxville, TN to Lexington, KY. We saw some beautiful sights everywhere we went.
I am so proud of how I did during this trip; I really made sure to take care of myself while still enjoying our journey. I continued my stretches; resting, meds, etc. and did really well.
You really went to some interesting places, many I am familiar with, but of all you named, Tarpon Springs was one of the most unique places I have ever visited, and I have had some very lovely days floating around in a little boat on that ice cold water as manitees swam by. Such a quaint little place with such nice folks!
It is so nice you were able to do so well, great vacation!
I lived in St Pete for a while, worked on the beach. 'The don', beautiful place, good food and impeccable service! Loved the Gulf, had some great fun on a pontoon boat! Refused the parasailing and the wind surfing, did try surfing though! What a RUSH!!!
Yes, I have always loved the quaintness of the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs, and the beautiful waters and beaches on the gulf. We had not been there for 20+ years and what a difference!!. It is so grown with wall to wall apartments, condos, hotels that you can hardly get to the beach anymore unless you are actually staying on it. The Don is still there and still beautiful! Hwy 19 is turning into an interstate in most places. We still really enjoyed St. Pete and the pier, but they are wanting to even tear the pier shops and restaurants out to just have the pier itself. I don't know why things have to always change so much, but they do. Still had a great time though.
That's so cool. I am happy to see triumphant stories. It gives me inspiration. I've been dabbling with day trips with my boys that don't take more than 1 and a half hours or so, one-way. We've gone to Atlantic Beach twice now. I did okay too, but the 2 days after were definitely recoup days. It was worth it. See my boys at the beach. Yeah...definitely worth it. Portland, OR can wait. Hawaii can wait. The day trips rock for now! Oh, and yes, I got in the water too. The surf was strong that day and it knocked me on my butt more than once. OUCH! That's what the recoup days are for!
DmaraJade, that is great!! Wonderful pic!! We had been doing day trips for a while to leading up to this long trip. My husband has been planning this trip for a long time. He also wants to do a west coast trip in the next couple of years. I don't know if it will happen, but I let him dream. He has a really really bad heart condition and this trip was harder on him than me really. He shouldn't take as many Nitro pills as I take pain meds. So we just enjoy each day and see what happens. I think the shorter trips are sometimes better, seems like we can enjoy them more!
Wonder if its the disease or age? My wife and I have traveled the world. We still have a list (nothing weird I might add) BUT I gave up my opera tickets this year. Granted the Seattle opera is 350 miles from here, but it was a trip we always looked forward too. When the renewal form came my wife and I looked at each other and said Naah. My sis just called and wanted to know ie we wanted to take a 15 day cruise from LA to Hawaii. (the price is right her son is the VP of Customer Care.) Again almost in unison we said no. I used to spend a year or more planning a trip. A day or two more often seems like a week or two. Lots less work and a lot more refreshing.
Great photos of 2 good looking kids, Jade! Thanks for sharing those! I always said if I make that dreaded flight to Hawaii, that it would be a one way, so I had better have the grandkids with me! Nice thinking, a box of cereal there must be $25.oo by now!
DMaraJade said:
That's so cool. I am happy to see triumphant stories. It gives me inspiration. I've been dabbling with day trips with my boys that don't take more than 1 and a half hours or so, one-way. We've gone to Atlantic Beach twice now. I did okay too, but the 2 days after were definitely recoup days. It was worth it. See my boys at the beach. Yeah...definitely worth it. Portland, OR can wait. Hawaii can wait. The day trips rock for now! Oh, and yes, I got in the water too. The surf was strong that day and it knocked me on my butt more than once. OUCH! That's what the recoup days are for!
It is a shame to give it up, I know that you both loved it lamb, but it is a blessing that you and your wife are in unison on the decision! It is a lot of work, effort, energy from preparing to restoring!
tntlamb said:
Wonder if its the disease or age? My wife and I have traveled the world. We still have a list (nothing weird I might add) BUT I gave up my opera tickets this year. Granted the Seattle opera is 350 miles from here, but it was a trip we always looked forward too. When the renewal form came my wife and I looked at each other and said Naah. My sis just called and wanted to know ie we wanted to take a 15 day cruise from LA to Hawaii. (the price is right her son is the VP of Customer Care.) Again almost in unison we said no. I used to spend a year or more planning a trip. A day or two more often seems like a week or two. Lots less work and a lot more refreshing.
