Charleston, SC

Today we drove up to Charleston. We stayed in the heart of the old town section where their are beautiful mansions and picturesque homes all over the place. This is the place the Civil War started at Fort Sumpter. They still don't like us northerners as they teach their young it was not the Civil War, but the War of Northern Aggression. They are famous for two foods: pecan pie and she-crab soup. We tried them both and the claim is true! Twelve more hours of driving and we get home, but we will break it up. .See y'all

More from Amelia Island

Erin stands on "African Beach." In the 30's 200 acres was purchased by a black merchant and made available just for black people. The likes of Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway played here.

The other pictures shows Erin hugging a 500 year old Live Oak tree.

We had oysters and shrimp tonight for dinner. This place was the beginning of the shrimp industry. They invented the shrimp boats by adapting a boat used in Italy that dragged a net to catch small fish. The seafood is out of sight here. Tomorrow we drive up to Charleston, SC.

Victorian Madness!

Erin and Mariann are going crazy over these Victorian houses. The whole town is an historic landmark.

Amelia Island

No pictures today. We left our condo and headed northward. We planned a stop at Ameila Island. This is just north of Jacksonville...still in Florida. The whole "original" town is deemed historical. Many Victorian houses in mint condition....buildings from the 17 and 18oo's. Mariann and Erin are going crazy over this place. You can go here for more info about the town:
http://fcit.usf.edu/FLORIDA/lessons/fernandina/fernandina.htm
The Atlantic Ocean is just one block from our motel. However, it's too cold and windy to enjoy the beach, but I will try tomorrow!

Career changes

After 40 years of marriage we have chosen to go our separate ways. Mariann (loving the water as she does) always wanted to be a mermaid, and I a pirate King! Perhaps we will meet again somewhere in the south seas!

General Grant's March

We found this sheet music in an antique store. This is the tune my mother played when in grade school. She was made to play the march on the piano from 4th grade through 8th grade by the nuns. She played it a total of 4 times a day. After 5 years of playing it, we figure she played it a total of 3600 times! When I called her on the phone to tell her of our find, she sang the entire piece complete with the repeat! She is 92 years old. She also rememberd the design on the cover page.

Hernando do Sota Memorial

While I was trying on a suit of armor, my wife was flirting with an indian who had a large....conch.

A grand hotel

While in St. Petersburg we ate in this old hotel, the Vinoy...built in the 20's. The food was great with good old fashioned service.

Salvadore Dali

We visited the Salvadore Dali museum today in St. Petersburg. His paintings are much more accesable than most people think.

Manatees

We finally got to see some manatees at the museum/aquarium. They each eat 30 heads of Romaine lettuce each day.

Mariann speaks!

Reverand Mariann gave a sermon on the role of women in the church. Erin payed attention, but I fell asleep! This chapel is part of the South Florida Museum built to represent what a church looked like in the 16th century, Spain.

Siesta Key

Siesta Key, off of Sarasota Florida. One of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. The sand is like sugar. Erin is walking toward the water in late afternoon

When in Rome.........

After I wrestle a gator or two, I like to relax with a Guinness and a dozen oysters on the half shell at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar.

Don't try this at home.

I almost got killed trying to ride this gator. Lucky for me, I had great reflexes!

Flamingos!

Grandma tames the wild flamingos!

A Florida Jungle

Today we took a trip into the wilds of the Florida jungle. Following will be some pictures of our adventure. Today was a very busy day.

Girl Scout Cookies (from Gilly)

It's that time of year again. Please e-mail me at cullster@comcast.net if you would like to place an order for some girl scout cookies. Gillian would much appreciate your support. Let us know how many boxes you would like. It's $3.50 per box, and proceeds go to helping support her local troop.

Thanks ahead of time from Gillian

Cool but sunny

A Cold Snap!

A little set back in the weather! Glad I brought those flannel shirts and long underwear!

Sunday after church

Our host, so to speak, Don and Lucy Baber (sitting to the right of Mariann) took us out to lunch after worship on Sunday. The other two folks are old friends of Don. It was at Don's church that my prelude on "Hail To The Lord's Anointed" was performed by Don, and then I directed his choir when they performed my anthem, "A Boy Was Born In Bethlehem." The prelude was dedicated to the church's 50 anniversary this year. The members were very warm and appreciative. Mariann sang in the alto section.

Lunch on the Manatee River

Didn't see any manatees in the water, but had a great lunch at this restaurant which is just two blocks from our condo. Colin and Erin are still in Disney World.

Friday afternoon lunch

Today Mariann and I drove down to St. Armands circle on Lido Key. Great place to shop but couldn't afford anything! We had a nice lunch at the "Crab and Fin." Notice the piano player in the background. He was here 5 years ago when we where here last. Colin flew down last night, and he and Erin drove over to Disney World for the weekend.

Mariann on the beach

This is Mariann walking on the beach. Can you spot her in her yellow top?

An early dip

Took a dip in the pool this morning. Our apt. is just above my head. The 2nd floor on the corner. That's a screened in porch.

Where we ate on Thursday

This place was on the northern tip of Long Boat Key. It faced the bay (inter-coastal waterway ) rather than the gulf. This area had peacocks walking all over the place!

My revised view of life

Just to keep you up-dated on my changing views of life. This was Wednesday's view.

The Manatee River

Which of these three faces is the most lovable? Which of the three eats 30 pounds of lettuce a day? Which weighs over 200 pounds? Which one has the droopiest eye lids? Which one is not a mammal? (trick question ) Which of the three love to swim in warm water? Which of the three usually swims in Lake Erie?

Some pictures of Bradenton Beach

Lunch on Jan. 9th

Today we ate lunch at the "Beach House" on Anna Maria island. We usually eat lunch out and cook in for supper. Life is too short to save money for a nice funeral! After lunch we sat on the beach for a couple of hours.

A toast!

Here I am making a toast to my sister Pat who is coming home from the hospital today. Here's wishing you better days ahead!

Sending good thoughts homeward

Erin is trying to share the beauty and warmth of the gulf. Here she is sending you "happy thoughts." She is standing on Turtle beach, a southern most beach on Siesta Key which is a barrier island to Sarasota. We are currently staying an hour north in Bradenton.

Key Lime Pie on the beach

My wife really knows how to celebrate the local dessert!

Where we ate on Tuesday

We drove south to the Sarasota area, and onto Siesta Key. At the southern end is a great restaurant called Turtles. You eat outside facing the Sarasota Bay. Right across the street is Turtle beach on the gulf. Erin managed to get into the water at 60 degrees water temperature. Mariann and I sweated in 82 degree heat on the beach. On the way home we stopped an bought a beach umbrella!

My current view of life

Life, as I now see it!

Someone has to do it.

Keeping watch over our nation's borders is crucial to the welfare of all Americans. Today, Mariann and I sat here for 3 hours to do our part. Thankfully, we didn't see any wetbacks entering our country.

Doing what Ponce de Leon could not...

On this island I discovered that a Guinness tastes as good here as in Ireland!

Where we ate on Monday

This is called "The Sandbar" restaurant. It is on Anna Maria island, just off the coast of Bradenton, Fl. The Gulf of Mexico is behind me as I took this picture. This island was claimed by Ponce de Leon and named for the Queen. DeSoto also stopped on this island before discovering the Mississippi. I arrived here for the first time today and had a cold beer!

The Manatee River

Our condo property runs to the river where one can dock his boat. This river flows to the left where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico.