Sailboats to beat all sailboats

This is the Spanish tall ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano - THE ELCANO - the worlds third tallest ship.  The Elcano is visiting Pensacola for five days to allow for tours on Friday and Saturday.    Pensacola is known as "Five Flags" and one is the Spanish flags so this is not the Elcano's first visit.   The first tour was in 1959 and the last time it was here was in 2009. 

This is at the Pensacola Bayfront.  The walkways are wonderful and built for public use and enjoyment.  (The pelicans and seagulls enjoy them also.)

Isn't this a great picture of Mom and Dad with the Elcano behind them!

And Mom and I.

One thing that amazed me with the height of the ship is the rope ladders that the men and women must climb to drop the sails.  And with winds and the rocking of the ship - hope they don't get sea sick.

Tug boats to help bring it in if necessary.

 Here is a closer look of the front of the ship.  

It is just one of those interesting, fun, free, and exciting things that we get to do since we live in Gulf Breeze/Pensacola.   We have always been water - boat people and and these ships are works of art.   

Afterwards we went two blocks down the street (Palafox) to al Fresco.  This is an outdoor food court the serves various southern food items - all in individual airstream trailers. 

Each airstream has a different menu of items.  

Many tables and Burgundy colored umbrellas with misters are available for you to sit and relax.   Watch the Palafox traffic - walkers and vehicles.

Here you can see the Gouda Stuff Air Stream and the misters above Dad cooling him off on a warm May day.  (88 degrees)

Across the street is a balcony with wonderful seating from a restaurant.

On the other corner is the newest bank in Pensacola just built in the last year.  It has been designed to go along with the feel of the town - Five Flags - isn't it beautiful?

 While enjoying a cool drink these happy people came by on their preferred mode of transportation.  And it is great exercise!  And it is just...too....funny!

And now we are back home.....

Last year on Mother's Day we planted a magnolia tree for Mom.  And it now has blooms!!

Just a last thought......it is the end of the school year.  Oh, I so remember the excitement of walking out of school for summer break.  Have a great summer to all!

Thunder and pool don't mix

When I worked I was in bed by 10:00 and if not, I paid for it the next day.  But one of the joys of retirement is a more flexible schedule depending on my mood.   And most evenings, my mood is to stay up later and sleep later in the morning.  Still eight hours......just shifted a bit.  So tonight everyone is in bed and I set up the dishwasher and turned it on.  Then a load of clothes.  Put the sleepy but determined to stay up doggie to bed and then had a great idea.

I AM GOING IN THE POOL!  WHO CARES THAT IT IS 11:00 PM!

So into the pool I went and enjoyed it for ten.....whole......minutes.  The rumble of thunder was suddenly off in the distance.  I tried to ignore it but then I saw that flash that says, "Get out of the pool you idiot!"   So I did.  

We don't play games with thunder and lightening.   Just too darn dangerous.   So I can now hear the storm moving in on us so I will turn off the computer and go to bed.   But I did get to enjoy ten wonderful minutes by myself.  Oh Mother Nature!   I can never out-guess you.  At least the frogs are happy.......
                    Good night all!

Mother's Day

******A FUN DAY WITH MOM ON MOTHER'S DAY******

 

 

Mother's Day is an important day in our family.  So we got up early - ok, earlier - and went to breakfast at the Pagodas on Navarre Beach.  It was a beautiful 80 degree morning.  White table cloths and each mother got a FREE mimosa for breakfast.  Now that is a great way to start the day.

 

 

This is the sound.  There are boats going in and out, quite a few volley ball courts, a bar, bakery, and a restaurant (where we ate) that is great food but maybe a bit pricey.

 

 

I love the thatched roofs.

 

 

Mom did share her mimosa with Dad and me.  It was so good!  A Mimosa is a cocktail composed of one part champagne (or other sparkling wine) and one part chilled citrus fruit juice, usually orange juice. )      Afterwards we came home and read the Sunday paper and later ate a small lunch.  Then into the pool!  83 degrees makes it walk in comfy.

 

 

One can never have enough of colorful noodles in the pool.

 

 

I had planned on dinner at Hemingway's  and then the Symphony Concert on the beach.  I am glad I called to double check because the concert had been cancelled several weeks back.  But we still had our Hemingway's reservations.  The beach wasn't just packed - it was sinking into the gulf with all the people!  We were lucky.  Mom uses a handicapped sticker so  there was one place left in the whole lot.  You guessed it!   A handicapped spot.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We at on the deck and loved the activity on the sound side of the beach.

 

 

This is dinner time so many had left.  There were wave runners all over the sound.  And aren't these colorful sailboats so cool!

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Kelly, when you come down in June, the tall condo to the left of the picture is where you are staying.  It is right on the gulf.

 

 

Dad on the upper deck enjoying the activity on the beach.

 

 

And my favorite drink on a warm spring day.....cold Florida ice tea with lemon.

 When we got home I talked to my friend Nicole and they went to eat at one of the beach restaurants the same time we did.  BUT they did not find a parking place so they ended up going to Rocco's Italian Restaurant on Navarre Beach.  Mother's Day is a busy day!!

I hope Mom had a wonderful day.   I think she did.   She got to talk to Dave and Ron.  Happy Mother's Day to all the women I know that are great Moms.  Next is Father's Day  - I better start planning.

Beautiful Weather

The beautiful weather we are having has so many benefits.  First, it warms the pool so swimming is enjoyable.  I find I can swim and enjoy the pool if it is at least 75 degrees but it takes me awhile to get into the water.  Anything above 80 degrees is better.

There is so little humidity - that comes more in June - so doing anything outdoors is pleasant.

We wanted to enjoy the beach and weather yesterday so we went the PB bar and grill off of the fishing pier.  A picture perfect day!

LOOK AT THE COLORS IN THE WATER!    

The wires are actually water misters to help keep customers comfy.

Another perfect picture of green palms and blue sky.

This is part of the bay by the baseball stadium.  

While going to Pensacola Beach yesterday, a line of sailboats where sailing towards Navarre.  There must of been over 50 in our view.  What a visual picture - gleaming white sailboats against the blue horizon sailing down the sound together.

One palm at the rocky edge of the water.  He doesn't look lonely though with the ducks and seagulls that swim by and rest on the rocks beneath.

We did a garage sale today - began at 7:30 and closed down at 8:30!  All our big items sold right away!   That is the way to do a garage sale!   Have a great Sunday tomorrow!