Jacksonville Singers

After more than 7,000 miles (Don't even ask how we traveled that far in our little Prius!) our final stop on the way home was a visit with the Jacksonville Singer family --- Ken, Sarah, Susan, and James.

While James and Ken and I tossed a football and then a baseball in the backyard, Barbara tutored Susan in Algebra II.

Afterward, we enjoyed salads at Crispers, said our goodbyes, and drove home, arriving here in Melbourne just after dark.

Our thoughts upon arriving were: Home - Sweet - Home!

Thanks for following our blog.

Tune in next year for another adventure!

B & B

Florida At Last

This afternoon we crossed into Florida, where we stopped at the Welcome Station for the obligatory picture you see here.

We are spending tonight in Jacksonville and will arrive home tomorrow!

Guess where we stopped for dinner?

Smoky Mountains

The next leg of our trip took us south through Gatlinburg and Smoky Mountain National Park.

We spent last night in Cherokee, North Carolina, where in the morning, we awoke to fog blanketing the mountains.

Happy Car

A wise man once told me "A clean car is a happy car!"

After a wash and wax, our Prius was on display in Janet's drive.

A walk in the Woods

Oak Ridge has miles and miles of clearly marked trails in the woods, so one day I took a solo hike.

I didn't meet any other hikers the whole time. Maybe I should claim the trail as my own!

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Last Tuesday we arrived in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to visit friends, Janet, Erik, Anita, Ella, and Wesley! Erik and Anita are proud parents of Ella (4) and Wesley (1 1/2). Janet is Anita's mother.

Erik used to teach math with Barb at Merritt Island High School. Janet used to live in Viera, not far from us. We were happy to see them, but wish they lived closer to us in Florida!

For history buffs, Oak Ridge played a key role in the development of the atomic bomb as part of the Manhattan Project. Hmmm, wonder what secrets are buried in the hills there!

Jason's deli

Today we stopped for lunch at a familiar favorite of ours: Jason's deli.

Usually we dine at the one on US 192 in Melbourne.

It seemed quicker, however, to find one in Amarillo, Texas, along our driving route today!

Albuquerque

Yesterday we stopped for the night in Albuquerque where we took two self-directed walking tours.

In the Nob Hill area we saw an interesting home that had been built upon the spot where an old neighborhood water supply tank had been. The builders incorporated the tank into the structure of the house, creating a living room within!

Later in the day, in Old Town, we stopped to listen to some young people playing Mexican tunes.

Sedona -- Off Road Jeep Ride

Yesterday, we took the most fabulous three-hour off road jeep tour.

Our jeep tour guide was a fearless, young guy named Joe who loved to take us close to the edge of incredible dropoffs high above Sedona.

The best part of this excursion was driving up and over rocks in rugged terrain. Nothing you would want to try in the family car!

Viva Las Vegas

We spent three nights in Las Vegas as guests of Harrahs Casino. I love it when the bill for the room comes to $0.00. We did, however, make some small contributions to their slot machines and at the Blackjack tables!

Las Vegas may not be for everyone, but we love the excitement. Like New York, this place never sleeps.

I'd love to tell you all we did there, but you know, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!"

Heading For Home!

Last Sunday we said goodbye to our friends and hit the road!

Action Shots

Barb's last day playing tennis in Tahoe this summer.

This sequence of pictures was taken on the tennis courts across the street from our condo.

Barb is looking forward to playing more tennis in Florida!

Paul & Andrea & Judi & Frank

Frank's brother Paul and his wife Andrea finished up a busy week visiting Frank and Judi. We really enjoyed meeting them and spending time with them. They flew back to Florida a few days before we began our road trip home. This picture was taken the evening before they left.

Last Golfing Day in Tahoe

Yesterday was our last golfing day here.

Frank and I played golf yesterday with Frank's brother, Paul, who is visiting from Florida.

We played at the stunningly beautiful Lake Tahoe Golf Course on a sunny, calm day.

While the temperatures were in the low 70s, I'm afraid our scores were not!

Bears In Trash

The other day, Frank stopped by to grab my camera to photograph a female bear and her cub rummaging through the trash container in the parking lot.

Rosh Hashana / End-Of-Summer Gathering

On Friday night, we combined a Rosh Hashana celebration with our annual end-of-summer gathering with our Lake Tahoe friends.

Everyone brought traditional foods to the home of Joe and Carol Oaks, who graciously opened their home for this event.

If you are interested in additional pictures, please email me and I will provide a link to view them.

Tahoe Rim Trail

Yesterday, Frank and I hiked along a portion of the Tahoe Rim Trail.

To reach the trail head, we drove up the summit of Kingsbury Grade to an elevation of 7,475 feet and parked behind the Stagecoach Express ski lift. Turns out a new motor was just installed and the lift was being tested.

Walking around the ski lift loading station, we headed up a steep path which eventually led us to views of the Carson Valley, about an hour into the hike.

From points along the trail, many of the ski lodges were visible.

The weather for our hike was perfect, cool and dry.

Biking Around The Neighborhood

Took a bike ride around the neighborhood here, called the Tahoe Keys.