Saturday, January 22, 2011

The Great Winter Escape

~Well...we're here in sunny Florida. I must admit that having the doors and windows open in January suits me just fine. I think that's what I hate the most about winter back home. Having everything closed up feels claustrophobic. Gray skies and short days seem gloomy to me. I start fantacizing about summer and life on the porch. I imagine the tanned, smiling faces of our grandchildren coming back from a day at the beach and evenings sitting around the firepit, telling stories and singing songs.
~Our ability to spend our winters in Florida stems from a long range plan that began over thirty years ago when we purchased a small townhouse condo near the beach just south of the Kennedy Space center. There wasn't much here then. It wasn't spiffy or upscale. But it was on the barrier island and there were miles and miles of beach with little parking areas every five miles or so. You could just pull off the road, grab your beach towel and flop down in the sand. We used the condo as an investment property for most of those years. We redecorated a couple of times and as we did, we watched the area grow. We started to see restaurants, and grocery markets crop up in commercial spaces that had been deserted during the downturn of the 70s. Beautiful condos were constructed along the beach. Due to height restrictions in the area, none of the buildings took over the clear blue skies...and you can still pull off the road every half mile or so with free parking to access the beach. Carefully planned commercial development brought jobs to the area. New hospitals located over the river on the mainland. That development opened up new prospects for pharmacies and medical practices on the island. A burst of energy was thrust into just about every facet of life here.
~Now that we are retired and get to enjoy our little condo and all the things this area offers, we are grateful for the chance to escape the New England winters. Snow was a welcome sight when we were young and we took our four children skiing. But once you give up a snow hobby, the wet, white stuff just means work. And cold work, at that.
~This winter up north sounds especially bad. No just wet, but bitter cold. Not a day goes by down here that I don't thank the big Guy up there for leading us in the right direction way back when we fell upon this cozy little southern abode. Funny how life works out.

9 comments:

  1. it sounds wonderful!! enjoy your time, it's well deserved. and yes, it is one of the coldest and wettest we've had on the cape in a long while.
    sue

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  2. Ah what a tease the porch is! And the fire pit! I am going to light mine friday night regardless of the temps!! As you know, I have been interested in getting a home away from home in the Florida area but have decided to just wait now as Dad has a beautiful place in St Petes beach that will someday be mine, I am not in any hurry and wish for Dad another 30 years! Enjoy the time and know that I am jealous!
    Gia

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  3. Joanne ~~ Sounds just wonderful .... we are waiting on another big bad storm this week, and we are having record cold. EnJoy you blue skies, and sunshine. Hugs ~ Connie xox

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  4. I lived in Conn. for a few years while I was married to that moron... I never could get use to the cold. I don't like it, not one little bit! Even here in Georgia, this is too cold for me. Wish I were with you right now in Florida! Soak it up sweetie!

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  5. OK girl, don't hold back....just rub it in! Heeehehehe!

    We've had one winter storm move in right behind the other. I sooooo long for the warm rays of the sun!!!

    Think the wild~eyed cattle would cotton to life on the beach???

    God bless and enjoy a ray or two for me!!!!

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  6. We dream of retiring in Florida some day. How wonderful that you both had the foresight and the means to make your dreams come true!

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  7. How lovely that after all the years you waited and planned your dreams are coming true. Enjoy! as you are right the winter has not been fun this year and we are expectingmore snow tomorrow.

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  8. Sure rub it in! Hee Hee! We had a delightful day today and more rainy skies with cold overcast dreariness here in Colorado. Hugs to you Anne

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