FL to AZ

 

Ossorio's Cafe, pic from internet

My last day on Florida's east coast was actually a "mend & sew" day, as Kelly VI required some maintenance at the local shop in Cocoa.  While the guys were working on Kelly VI, I took a nice bike ride into Cocoa Village, enjoyed breakfast at Ossorio's Cafe', then rode back to the shop to begin my trek to Arizona for the winter.

It took six days, these images show each day's progress.

View from the "Scenic Overlook", southeast of El Paso, TX

With all that water, you'd never think "Arizona."
After 6 days of driving, arrived at Whitewater Draw, AZ.

Sunken Garden

December 10, 2021, St. Petersburg, FL

Sunken Gardens, St. Pete, FL

For a panorama, Click Here.

See the fellow on the sign?  😊

This guy was enjoying the lawn.

At EG Simmons SP, the kayaking was peaceful & beautiful.

Enroute to Cocoa, FL (I had RV work to be done in Cocoa, FL with a shop that served me well in the past) Magnolia County Park served as campsite.  A ride on the Lake Apopka Trail out of Clermont, FL provided more Florida enjoyment as temps and weather continued summer-like, from my northern, snowbird perspective.

The first ride at Magnolia was nice enough, but slightly disappointing as the trail was closed due to work at the park.  But the roads through the park around the pond were pretty enough and the bike miles were achieved by multiple trips around the pond.

In Cocoa, I was able to enjoy riding my bicycle into the quaint town by following the Indian River from the RV shop.

I returned Kelly VI to Florida's east coast.

Salvador Dali Museum

December 10, 2022, St. Petersburg, FL 

At the Salvador Dali Museum
the stairwell was a dramatic
artwork.

Looking straight up to the glass roof 
through the stairwell.

This painting of Dali's is right side up .  .  .

.  .  .  this is the same painting upside down.

This is the full painting viewed from
30 feet away .  .  .

.  .  .  the same painting viewed from 2 feet.

Image of Abraham Lincoln from 30 feet .  .  .

.  .  .  same image from 200 feet.

To see the "Live" Dali, Click Here.

To see Dali "Live", Click Here.

This piece is HUGE, 20 feet tall?

Also 20 feet tall?

The Arts & Trails

Took a 3.7 mile walk on the Riverwalk in Tampa, FL.

December 6 - 16, 2022 (Click thru the "Newer Posts" at Bottom)

From EG Simmons State Park, I drove west to Titusville, FL where I spent four winters from 2014-15 to 2019-20.  I really enjoyed my time there with great people, mostly RVers, but several sailors as well.  Watching the rocket launches, riding the bike trails, playing pickleball and just hanging out with my friends provide wonderful memories of those years.  It was nice to briefly revisit Titusville, but I didn't get any new photos.  For Titusville Pics from the past, Click Here.

I then returned to EG Simmons State Park for a week of camping, bike riding, museum visits and even kayaking in the Tamp Bay area.

The Legacy Trail in Sarasota
is a terrific ride.

At the Chihuly Museum in St. Petersburg, FL 

The glass figures, shapes, and displays are awe inspiring
at the Chihuly Museum.

The size is quite dramatic, in addition to the colors, etc.
The "boat" holding all those spheres is about 16 feet long.

The ceiling!

The same glass sculpture as the prior red piece
hanging from the ceiling, this shot is
looking straight up from the floor.

I found this glass garden truly fascinating.