Well Friday was a busy day that saw the morning routines until about 10 then all that changed as we went to Tampa where we met up with Bobby and family. It was then off to a park with bicycles, picnic lunch, hiking shoes and warm clothing as it never got out of the 50's. The wind was very strong all day long and then it was off to an eatery for supper that featured New Orleans style cooking and finally back home sometime around 8'ish.
The day started much the usual for me with a before 6'ish roll out. It was a bit chilly as the front dropped the hot muggy conditions which were a welcome. It was a chilly ride out to the Rec at 8 AM on my bike. I did my routines that started with the cup of hot tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in humble thanksgiving for another day and all the blessing of life. I'm daily lifting up our new president elect as well as he is in for a hard time with the evil forces of the secular progressives who have taken over the other political party and who want this nation to fail and the people to become dependent on their social handouts. This nation is in turmoil as their agendas have been thwarted by this last election when the working class folks decide to vote the Clinton Crime Family and Obamas policies out of power. They need to face the facts they are out of power and the direction of the nation is no longer under their leadership.
I headed out on my bike to the Rec for a good hour or so of pickle ball. We had two courts in action and the play was great. I had to leave early as we wanted to leave for Tampa around 10. I wanted to hand water the garden before we left and then load our bikes. We got away and met up with such heavy traffic on the interstate both on the way over and then again last evening on the way back home. We took a detour as the main bridge was blocked with a crash and traffic was backed up for miles on the way home. Luckily we saw the warning signs about the crash on the bridge and managed to go towards Clearwater on another bridge.
We followed Bobby to the Menard Park in the eastern part of the Hillsborough County where we rode bikes, walked on the bridge across the lake and then climbed an observation tower. We saw a couple of gators and lots of birds. The cold wind was steady and made it feel even colder. We had a picnic lunch of PBJ sandwiches then headed into the phosphate hills where the tree roots are so exposed you can actually walk under them. The kiddos were climbing around on them then we took a hike along the swamp area and watched some talented frisbee golf players in the area. It seems this sport is really promoted here with several different courses through out the park. The wind really makes a difference with this game and we saw where several disc were in the swamp area.
We made a stop on the way home from the park at a local strawberry farm and had fresh milkshakes which were delicious then headed back to Bobby's. The kiddos were meeting up with their mom who was celebrating her new husbands birthday so we went out to eat at a new place in Brandon. It featured New Orleans style cooking and the place quickly was packed. It was alright as I tried the seafood gumbo and while it was tasty it wasn't what I expected. Katie wasn't pleased with her eggplant dish either but Nancy and Bobby liked theirs. We did have a great waitress and the service was good and there was a huge waiting line to get in despite the cold.
We started back to Seminole when the interstate flashed a warning the Howard Frankland Bridge was blocked with a crash on the hump(middle) so we took the long way around to keep from sitting in a huge back up. Just last night there was a wrong way driver on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that caused a fatality and the bridge was shutdown for hours. It's no wonder as the traffic was unbelievable with some reckless drivers weaving in an out at high speeds. These are the times when I wish I had my old job back in a patrol car, oh well. We got back safe and saw several other emergency vehicles with crashes along the way. There is no way I'm on the road tonight. Keep the Ross Family in your thoughts and prayers for safe travel as they are on their way back from Kansas and should arrive sometime later today(Sat).
Well after a hot shower which helped with warming me up I watched the first half of the FSU vs Michigan game and the Seminole's were kicking tail. I'll get to watch some college bowl games for most of the next two days as well as the NFL. The Bucs have a slim outside chance to make the playoffs but I'm not holding my breath, LATER
It is 45 degrees this morning but is expected to quickly warm up later today and be back in the 80's by the first of the week. I see some pics of some snow in the mountains at the cabin with cold temps, oh well. I'll take this weather for a couple of days. I'll be away from this keyboard until next year(tomorrow) so don't panic for all who love to read these mundane posts and rambles. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017 and GOD BLESS AMERICA and MAKE HER GREAT AGAIN
