Video of the trip South - Destination Florida and South Carolina

This will be my last post about the 4 weeks of sunshine, beaches, bike riding and wildlife - the trek of the retired to participate in  the winter exodus from the snowy and cold North to the palm trees and balmy breezes of the South. Next postings will be back to my writing.

Pondering about my trip from both thinking and feeling perspectives, I am sure I had a wonderful time but I am unsure how often I want to repeat it. Because I did not stay in one place for at least a month, it became clear after talking to the regular snow birds I met that not doing so was a giant budget buster.
Also, I realized that when I go away for that length of time, is it a vacation........ or just a way to live someplace warm for a month (or 2) ...........and do all the usual things you might do at home?

If it is a vacation, the strain on the vacation budget will be rough and maybe prevent me from going to other new and unexplored places at other times of the year. Maybe if getting away in the Winter is important to me and if I want to do 'usual' things just to live there temporarily, I could get a part-time temporary job during those months. That would solve the budget concerns and allow me to justify the expense?

Since I am not ready to answer these questions, I will not be making any commitments yet for next year and will let the thinking and feeling process take its due course. But I did have an exciting and successful adventure and will add this trip to its place in the vacation archives.
I did make a little movie using the photos I took, so if you are interested:

Turtles, Alligators and Birds Oh My!

ALLIGATORS & TURTLES
One of the most wonderful aspects of travel is discovering the interesting wildlife that inhabit there. A location's climate and geographic features have a great impact on the types found and the resulting behaviors. The southeast US, especially Florida, Louisiana and coastal South Carolina, have warm humid tropical climates and water features that include many inland ponds, marshes and brackish areas. That is where alligators and turtles like to hang out. 


My favorite sightings were definitely the alligators. On this trip I was able to observe and get fairly close to 5 different ones. My first was this big guy above spotted as I biked through the Ding Darling Nature Preserve on Sanibel Island. He was about 8 feet long and 20 feet away from me and the other tourists. These cold-blooded reptiles are pretty sluggish when they are basking on the shore of the inland marsh trying to get warm, but if they do get warm enough, they can move very fast.  So, needless to say, I stayed the recommended 20-foot distance from this relative of the dinosaur and quickly took some photos. He was so still and only sometimes opened his eye(s) - it was hard to believe he was alive.

 I also saw another smaller one at Ding Darling that suddenly swam back into the water after looking so ‘dead’. His movement was quick and startling – a ‘whoa’ moment for me.

The other 3 were also small and on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina – one in a very sludgy pond below us (we were on a boardwalk on the bike trail), another one sunning itself every day next to our bike path to the beach and the most surprising was an alligator snuggling up to 3 turtles soaking up the sun. It was one of those times that make you realize that spending time in the natural world can be full of such surprising and unique moments. I have been known to call

the type of vacation destination described here a
subsidiary of  ‘God’s Disneyland’. Contrast that with what I call the ‘Disneyland vacation’ where so many aspects are manufactured moments experienced the same way by all those who were in line with you. (Note to reader: I do like DisneyLand/DisneyWorld too and have enjoyed going there)




More about alligators - follow the link

BIRDS

I must admit that I never used to pay much attention to birds in my surroundings. I would ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at the occasional cardinal or blue jay…
Or worry that I would see Alfred Hitchcock if I saw crows gathering somewhere…
I could also be known to crane my neck to find out where that ‘Woody Woodpecker’ was enthusiastically drilling that hole in the tree.

My interest started to grow a few years ago after moving into the house I live in now and have even started putting birdseed out on a feeder to attract them. All I can say is that either there are a lot more birds here or I can see and hear them better from my kitchen. However it happened, I notice them when I wash dishes, take walks and or just sit on the patio in my backyard. I even spotted a large owl way up in a very tall pine tree in the yard one day recently.

A funny situation for me is that there is one type of bird with a very annoying and loud chirp that produces the same pattern over and over for long periods of time. If this bird is around and I am trying to read on the patio, I have to go inside because I just can’t concentrate. And, of course, all the birds hanging around outside the windows keep my indoor cat frustrated yet entertained.

Down South there are many birds similar to the ones I see here, but there are some that are unique to that climate. We saw herons, white egrets, and pelicans to name a few. I enjoyed watching them all in their watery habitats sunning, flying, interacting and searching for food, but my favorite was the pelican.

The pelican is a very large bird that is reported to have been in existence for 30 million years. They do remind me of pterodactyls and, of course, being a fan of old Japanese horror films, ‘Rodan’. I learned a lot more about them on this trip both by checking the Internet and observing them every day on Hilton Head.

Near where we stayed on Hilton Head was a place called Harbour Town – a small marina with a lighthouse, restaurants, villas, shops and boat rentals. Just off the end of the dock is what appears to be an old concrete dock support slab. The pelicans congregate here every day all in a row. While they are sitting there, they appear to be cleaning themselves and stretching their beaks or tucking their heads and beaks next to their body to sleep.

Their most impressive activity is the way that they fly and dive to catch their fish for dinner. I wouldn’t even describe what they do as flying – it is more like gliding; they make it look so effortless as they slide through the air and sometimes skim just inches above the surface of the water. Once they spot a fish, they turn their body very quickly downward 90 degrees and plummet toward the water with incredible speed. Most of the time they do not come up ‘empty-beaked’??

Maybe because I am retired and now so more in the moment (and a self-proclaimed ‘birdie’), I never got tired of watching these pelicans interact with each other and waiting for one or more of them to take flight and fill the sky with their impressive soaring. At least one trip to the end of that marina dock became part of my daily routine. Now that I have finished rambling on about the pelicans, I realize I may have bored many of you since I have only recently evolved into a serious bird watcher. But if this has piqued your interest about pelicans, here is link to check out more information about them.                                  

 Follow the link - Pelicans

me, my bike and I

   The self-reliance, the human powered transportation, the pedaling motion, the air flying around the body and stroking the face, the exercise, the sightseeing at touring speed – it’s all there in riding a bicycle (bike). This trip south has shown me that I am not alone in this, especially in the senior citizen community. We biked quite a bit in 3 different places and saw so many oldsters on the wheels. They came in packs with reflective vests, in recumbent bikes of every form imaginable, with beach bikes, fancy multi-speed bikes of every size and shape. If 85 is the new 65, this has got to be why!  

   Three places I biked were the Pinellas Bike Trail and Sanibel Island in Florida and Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Links are here, but more about these at the end of the post.  

   I have been riding a bike since I was very young. My first 2 wheeler had one gear and foot brakes and was assembled by my Dad from parts he got from a friend. It wasn’t just a 26 incher that was popular at the time, but it was much bigger with fatter tires and an aggressive frame – it was a beautiful blue. I was the bike queen of the neighborhood, winning all the races and turning heads wherever I rode. That was when I first discovered the independence my bike provided -  being able to visit my friends, go to my piano lesson or shop without needing a ride from my parents or walking (tediously long). My independent streak and biking were becoming fused day by day. Even the instances of serious injury did not diminish my love for my vehicle. They did teach me that I needed to be a little more careful and pay more attention to my surroundings and strategic attacks toward inclines with a one gear monster.  

   I started to realize as I grew into the teenage phase that it was pretty ‘uncool’ to ride a bike – “that was for kids”! It was hard for me to adjust because I was already a geek and out of the mainstream. So regrettably, I abandoned my beautiful blue ‘friend’ and took to walking. I still wanted to travel under my own steam as much as possible, but needed to keep up appearances of at least trying to fit in.  

   As luck would have it, when I went away to college in Boston in the late 60s/early 70s, rebellion from the status quo in dress, hair, politics, and societal and cultural rules reigned. As a budding young adult, it was as if this rebellion was designed just for me. I could wear what I wanted, grow my wild hair down to my waist, protest inequities and unfairness openly and, yes, use a bike for transportation or recreation. One of the first things I did when I arrived on campus was to look for a used bike to buy. I was on a scholarship and was not allowed to have a car but I couldn’t afford a car anyway. The bike I found thrilled me because it was a lovely English bike and had 3 WHOLE GEARS and a hand brake!!! I had to learn how to shift gears and use my hands to brake, but now I had my transportation needs met, a way to explore the area and a recreational activity to be pursued anytime I wanted to. The college years are those of self-discovery, the chance to develop the skills and knowledge to become a successful adult and, of course, have fun. The solo rides I took on my bike gave me the opportunity to get away from campus to think about all of these things. 

   Once I graduated – still did not have enough money to buy a car and lived in many cheap apartments in the Boston area. I had to take a bus to work, to the store, to the beach. I didn’t have my bike during this time and I just knew something was missing. Eventually I got a car and another bike and bought a house north of Boston and the pent up need for the bike kicked right in and I established a riding route for every day after work and rode it on weekends to run errands and get exercise. When I got pregnant I didn’t stop riding my route and everyone in town knew me – “hey, aren’t you that girl we see riding your bike every night (and pregnant too)?” “Yes, it was me!!!!” Once my son was born, I did not quit. I put him in a front baby carrier, then in a back carrier and finally in a baby seat bolted to the back of the bike. I wasn’t always sure he enjoyed it, but I guess I wanted him to love bikes as much as I did. My dilemma came when he got too big to fit in the seat anymore and could not ride his own bike yet. So, I went back to doing my route solo but it made me sad to have to leave him behind (at least for now). As the years passed, I had another child and they both grew old enough to ride their own bikes (and I always made sure they had one). Sometimes we rode together and at other times they were learning the same things I learned about having a bike and independence. It was a shared family value. 

   Fast forward to the present – Before I retired I had been riding my bike to work quite a bit and taking recreational and exercise runs many days in the nice weather. Many vacations over the years involved some bike riding – a bike carrier on the car was always a necessity. On my vacation now – have bike will travel on the back of the car on the new fancy bike carrier and continuing the joy of riding on the trails mentioned above.  

   The magic is still there:  every time I board my bike and start to ride, I feel like that young girl I was so long ago on my beautiful blue special!!  

   The Pinellas Trail in Florida runs from New Port Richey to St. Petersburg a distance of about 35 miles. This trail is so well planned and executed. There are marked lanes for each bike riding direction and a pedestrian lane clearly marked and signs everywhere. The roads that have to be crossed can be quite daunting, so they have installed push buttons at every one of them to allow a time for bikes to cross. Most riders and drivers respect the lanes and crossing protocols. Great for recreation and transportation.  

   Sanibel Island near Fort Myers, Florida has many bike trails all over the island. I was able to tour the Nature Preserve there on the bike instead of using the car. It was cheaper and much easier to park when an interesting bird or alligator was sighted. I was also able to bike to Bowman Beach on a bike trail. Bike racks available in every location. I only spent the better part of one day there, but I think it would be possible to abandon your car and use your bike for transportation to go just about everywhere.  

   Hilton Head Island in South Carolina has beautifully paved bike trails all over the island. It was wonderful to see so many people taking advantage of them. There are trails to get to all kinds of stores, restaurants, the tennis club or the beach and trails winding under the live oaks of the low country just to ride and enjoy. My favorite place to bike is on the beach. The sand there is very hard packed and at low tide, beach lovers can spend their time next to the waves on their bikes.

 

 

 

RETIREE ESCAPING from Syracuse to Dunedin, Florida in 3 Days!!!!

Started out with winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves – bitter cold, icy roads…… on a journey to the sun, the ocean breeze, the blue sky, the palm trees that are the promise of the Sunshine State for those of us who live above the Mason-Dixon line in the winter months. This was the first year the stay was for a month. It is the world of the retirees of the Northern US and Canada…… that journey to escape the cold and the gray to reap the rewards they have worked so hard for. More on this as I explore the snow bird phenomenon and my thoughts about it both general and personal.

RESEARCH and FIRST THOUGHTS

On our way down, we stopped to visit some friends from our town who just moved to a 55+ community in Georgia near Atlanta. They are both retired and have made the commitment to be down South and living in a restricted community. Their home is brand new and had a sparkling interior with beautiful tasteful finishes such as granite counter tops, shining floors, high ceilings and an open floor plan. Along with a new house in this community comes a built in sort of village/family with a large and upscale community center.

This center contained an indoor Olympic sized pool, hot tub, large workout area, ping pong tables, pool tables, rooms set aside for classes in art, fitness, crafts, personal learning, club meetings, community choir rehearsals, special gatherings. In addition, there were tennis courts, pickle ball courts, an outdoor pool and spa next to beautiful landscaping and places to relax and lounge outside.

OK…. Wait for it!.... it is also on a waterway and has a marina with boat slips (for a hefty price) and place to store kayaks. It was very hard not to be impressed and possibly jealous??? So, I had to ask myself:

….. would I be ready to confine myself to a restricted community of retirees/seniors?

 ….sort of an intense overly familiar small town atmosphere where I see the same people all the time and socialize and possibly experience the gossip and cliques that result?

…..Or could I live someplace like that and have so many activities to use/participate in at my will AND be able to take advantage of those that I really would like and avoid the negatives?

---- leave all my friends and relatives up North and all those familiar things – climate, activities, food, stores, institutions……just hope some might like to visit??

When one retires, does it mean a whole new type of life, retro to being like a student on a campus where you hang out mostly with your peers?

This experience in Georgia followed me as I traveled farther South and discovered that these types of communities appear to be everywhere and new ones being built and existing ones expanded.  Most are behind stone walls and fences and promise untold luxuries. Is it the baby boomer retiree population stimulating this or seniors asserting their desire and entitlement to live out their lives in the luxury and play time for seniors they always dreamed of?

I don’t have the answers yet, but will be keeping my powers of observation and ‘curious minds want to know’ cap on to explore this phenomenon.

                                         

So, back to my original word. 3 days later, here I am in Dunedin, Florida. The sky is blue, the temperature is in the 70s, the ocean is near and I am retired, on vacation and this is February.

The new adventure begins.





The Poetry Collection - Part 3

A One-cat night

This is the last group of the poems from the past. It appears that I must have been observing and processing some relationship dramas as told from the perspectives of both men and women. Many of them are dark and make me wonder now what might have inspired them. Despite this uncertainty, I must say I like them and they still seem to express how I sometimes see the world and my place in it as a woman and one who wants to figure things out about myself and others. To me seeing dark drama can be disturbing but useful and interesting. "Happy endings all the time" is unrealistic and frankly - boring. Thanks for reading.  (Next post will be tales from my trip South - stay tuned)
 

Rumination 

I was not likely to please anyone…

…my mind wanders over the landscape pondering how the Grand Canyon was born. Little by little I draw a face with a stick

Calculations wrong again.

Diplomacy negates good intentions for justice.

Dallying with immeasurable research about neither parenthetical nor grand ideas.

Relatively meeting opposites to attract a burning coalition of chum or foe.

Rumination marches me forward into the mind of the tortured tyrant.

A makeshift and self-made prison is my fate.

…I was not likely to please anyone.  
 

Mother

The strange part of it all is that

the fight started without warning.

I called his mother a drunken mess

and he exploded

leaped on me

growling, snarling, foaming - a mad dog

Jeez, attacked me like an animal

biting and scratching.

The red eerie glow emanating from his eyes

beamed through the cold night air.

A hard blow to my mouth knocked out my bridge

sent me bouncing to the solid concrete.

Satisfied that he had taught me a lesson

he spit on me, kicked me one last time

then made a triumphant exit

whistling a snappy sappy little tune. 

My body hurt - ached - down to the toenails

any passerby could see I wasn't well

scooped up my bridge - my head hotter than hell

how I made it home - it's hard to tell

Safe now..OK… yeah ….but she is one!, I had to yell! 
 

Old Bill

Old Bill on the park bench sat alone watching the pigeons milling about his feet searching for any hint of a treat. The day was gray, cold, too quiet. Bursting into song for the bird congregation an aria from La Boheme, powerful, lyrical gesturing to his imaginary lover tears rolling down his cheeks. A young woman hurried past looking through him, not seeing. He cried after her, "Come back, my love. My monkey died today."  
 

*BEEP*

“Hey, Tony, honey, non-actions speak louder than words

you haven't called me in a week

Did you lose my number?

I always told you to look on the men's room wall

-- for a good time -- yeah, that's me.

that always got a laugh before, remember?

(nervous laughter then a pause)

Was it that look of disappointment on my face

when you forgot my birthday?

Hey, man, I know we ain't serious

you got no worries there

It's just that ......

Oh, never mind.....

Anyway, I'm here all night

.....  if you get the urge, you know ....

you know where to find me.”

*CLICK*
 

 

Hopeless

Gray goo still oozed from the wound.

Even your sweet kisses could not stop the pain.

It hailed, it stormed, no sign of the sun

my legs were going numb.

Sometimes I can't even remember your face

your smile so brilliant so welcoming

like hot steaming tea on a blustery day.

Starting to slip into unconsciousness

out the window, through the door

behind the dark curtain

where no safe soul can follow

disappearing into the bleak barren landscape.

My arms desperately stretch search toward the safety

of your soft cheek, your warm whisper

but you are gone, tired of sickness, weary of woe

preferring the soft light on the horizon to the blackness that is me. 
 

The Last Straw

I was at the bar last night

that same freak was there

watching me

with those murky piercing eyes

casing my every move

his greasy unkempt hair

sticking out all over his head

a cigarette dangling from his mouth

wrinkled jacket stained in the front

drinking beer - a damn foam mustache

Shit, it gave me the creeps.

“Hey, Joe, who is that freakin' guy?

He won't stop starin' at me”.

 

Joe, the bartender, was everywhere at once

slicked back black hair - pierced ear

dark skin - built - easy on the eyes

serve me up another Canadian Club on ice

maybe a little solicited advice.

“Ah, he's harmless - a walkin' wasted man

here every night ……

just ignore him ....... "

I'm not good at takin' advice

“Hey, buster, what's yer problem?

Look somewhere else for a change, will ya?”

The freak didn't say a word - mute f--ker!

Finally I heard him mumble something

“Speak up, mister, can't hear ya!”

“Your eyes - how they sparkle

Your smile - puts the sun to shame

Your hair - soft and silky frames your face

I couldn't help but notice”.

 

Joe started to laugh like a hyena.

That was the last straw

I threw a twenty down the bar and left

What a sick f--kin' world, man! 
 

The Fight

She:        You bleepin' bleep!

He:         That's not what you called me last weekend when I bleeped you

She:        Yeah, that was before you bleeped my aunt

He:         Well, she's a whole heluva lot nicer than you, bleep!

She:        Why, you bleep of a bleep! I'll kick your sorry bleep!! 

With that, she curled her hand into a fist and punched him

in the face

She stepped backwards from the force and shock of it

Then he hauled off and punched her back - hard

so hard she fell down - the wind knocked out of her

As she lay stunned on the floor

he stood straddling her body with his legs

 put one foot on her chest

a menacing grin on his face

He:         Got anything else to say, bleep?

 

She squeezed her eyes shut to blink back the tears and quietly answered: 

She:        You win...............................bleep!. 
 

Fireworks

Night slammed down its curtain with a thud;

raucous not subtle delivery.

Slaving for the slithering in the dark

despite warnings of progressive disincentives

swerving sideways almost going jugular

sensing widespread alienation

upon the frigid moody landscape.

An awakening like none other

inspired by the moon and the stars

adrift on a glacier of hidden desires.

Easing into the fire of flagrant disregard

for particulars and postponements

the cinders seared my burning orbs

with vibrant visions of smoldering sensation.

Brilliant twinkles

sparkling explosions

fireworks. 

 

Jealousy

Don't be a Doubting Thomas!

You are the butter on my toast.

Just because I notice a Tom, Dick or Harry

doesn't mean it's not you that floats my boat.

No need for jealousy

or a prohibition policy

specifically and generally

not to be confused with occasionally.

You are the pinnacle

THE HE - to me - all others are merely overaged brie
the hero.... the winner .... the star

Just get in the damn car
I'm not goin' far

Tonight….. maybe just to that new bar?
 

Her Way

into mirrors, puddles, windows her gaze

not really noticing the displays

but hoping for praise

narcissistic phase

self-centered haze

primping to amaze
 

predictably the action plays

her motive betrays

toward a myriad of forays

like emitting sting rays

he mesmerized stays

in a trancelike daze

magnetized by her electric ways

 

 

 

 

 

The Poetry Collection - Part 2

Part 2 of the poetry collection is also from the work of 7 - 10 years ago. As were Part 1, they are all over the map - funny, dark, sweet and some maybe thought provoking. At least I hope so. I have had some feedback from Part 1 about particular poems some of you liked and why - I really appreciate that.

 

Lucky Strike 

Standing under the bare street light she leaned against the post and lit up a Marlboro with her purple lighter    

  the end glowed …

It was late

the street quiet and deserted

   the smoke swirled in a cloud overhead

Her black hair was long and straight, shimmery in the back light

   her attire dark and loose
   evening camouflage ...
 

 

Looking upward, her gaze fell on a face in the window surveying the nighttime scene

He smiled down at her, unexpected … warm

Her smile radiated back to him, hopeful … tentative

A minute passed - eyes locked … connecting not averting
Then as he had come, suddenly gone ... missing

Lighting another cigarette, she looked up one more time then slowly walked away staring at the sidewalk ahead
Her quiet humming murmured in the silence

The Dancing Queen 

On the floor here comes the queen

my loyal subjects clear when I appear.

The princesses are an envious green

when the male chorus line forms

for a chance for a dance
with me.

My hair will fly

my body gyrate

with the beat - burning heat

faster spinning as the music pumps

on your back feel my thumps
can't promise not to inflict some lumps

Stay out my way!

Give me room!

Goodbye to that gloom and doom

when the beat is sweet
Behold the dancing queen!

Far Away 

Far away from the teeming city

the stars individually shine

the silence of the night peaceful
the hillside dark and tranquill

By day the heat rising from the fields

I can almost hear in its steaming
the babbling brook- bubbling melody
 

Along the pinetree path

the crackling of a stick underfoot

startling me with its harshness.

The buzzing bugs - ear-tickling

white noise for napping.

Night falls once again - the moon glowing, lulling

under the black country sky
to sleep ... dreaming of this place

My Holiday Greeting 

Pink Ladies in the parlor

champagne with caviar

a beer or two with Grandma
in the back seat of the car.

Manhattans in the restaurant

martinis on the deck

a glass of wine with Mary Jane
have another - what the heck!

White Russians at the party

Grasshoppers in the snow

two shots of Seagrams at the pub
meet me under the mistletoe!

No matter what you like to drink

scotch, whiskey, wine or rum

Have a safe and happy holiday
Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum!

Death in their Leers 

malcontents breathe heavy at my door

hot acrid air seeping beneath

curling

snarling

seeking exposed naked vulnerability

attack mode

revenge riot

ever misunderstanding my motives
condemnation

welcoming my deserved punishment

the dedicated wounded souls

hacked through

clawing

kicking

death in their leers

righteousness in their hearts

swirling savagely around me

ripping at my pale wicked flesh

flogging

squeezing

a worthless life made breathless

lifeless
sacred retribution

Sweet Release 

He said he'd always love her

but she knew it wasn't true

the drip drip of the faucet

light rain pattering on the roof

she waited like the expectant bride
that day he stopped calling.

she should have known

he wasn't to blame
for never once did he speak her name.

Passers by her basement window

see her face staring out

out to the busy main street endlessly

hoping to catch a quick glimpse
or someone who looks like him 

she should have known

he wasn't to blame
for never once did he speak her name

Her yearning will never cease

to hear his voice

to see his flesh

to live in his dreams
just one more chance for sweet release.  

she should have known

he wasn't to blame
for never once did he speak her name

Never Lie 

Boy, it's not that I want to be free

it's just that I can clearly see

that I'm not good enough for you
even though you think our love is true

Girl, these aren't the words I want to hear

Why don't you sit me down, buy me a beer

risk the sliding of a tear

and say

Baby, you and I are through
Just don't want you - what can I do?

Instead you tell me I'm the best

So much nobler than the rest

Deserve a different better girl
Man, I hate it when you lie.  

These aren't the words I need to hear

Please sit me down, buy me a beer

risk the sliding of a tear

and say

Mister, you and I are through
Just don't want you - nothin' I can do.

If you wanna leave

don't introduce him to Eve

but kiss his cheek and say goodbye

thanks for the good times

let him plead - let him cry
but whatever you do - never lie!

Sit him down - buy him a beer

Risk the sadness - the heartbreaking tear
but whatever you do - never lie!

kisses 

How many ways are there to kiss?

Do they all conjure blithe bliss?
 

The little peck upon the cheek

sometimes can feel a little weak

The juicy smooch upon the lips

causes my heart to do some flips

The tender buss slow and sweet

usually sweeps me off my feet

The desperate french with the probing tongue

makes me feel so sexy and young

The gallant lips upon my hand

make me feel so elegant and grand

but clearly the greatest kiss of all

(it could be Pyramus and Thisbee through the wall?)

is the peanut butter smack of a child - so small.