Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Went back to the Everglades 2/29/09

You should definitely take a trip to the Everglades. It is enormous. I recommend stopping at Shark Valley - and take your bikes. Shark Valley is where you can bike to the Observation Tower, and where the gators hang out along the path. You just have to be careful.

Today we went back to the Everglades, but drove down to the lowest part (southern tip of Fl). I took some pictures and filmed some of the birds and gators. I will try to add them tomorrow (I am tired). Hopefully the film works.

xoxo

Everglades Part 3



This bird was Matt's buddy.

Everglades Part 2





Everglades (FL)






Matt and I went to the Everglades the day after Christmas. We went there last year and thought it was amazing because the crocodiles hang out along the trails. Of course you have to keep a distance (even though many families take pictures of their children in front of them - dumb). This year we decided to take our bikes on the trip, so we biked to the observation tower and back - 14 miles total. Along the way, I took these pictures.

Friday, December 25, 2009

One more pic of the Spanish Fort

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine (Spanish Fort from 1500s)





Bike-Riding at St. Augustine, FL (oldest city in the U.S.)




Beacon Drive-In featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives


I had the "chicken stew plate" (it was pretty tasty) and Matt had the "cheeseburger a-plenty."

Carl Sandburg Pics 3

Carl Sandburg Pics 2





Pics of Carl Sandburg's home






Biltmore Pics 2


Biltmore Pics





Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve at the Biltmore Estate

Its 51 degrees and we are driving into SC.

This morning we toured Biltmore. It was special to me because I have taught a couple of my classes about the estate over the past few years. I have pics of the exterior, but not the interior which was decorated for the holidays. Each room had its own christmas tree and presents. The mansion was beautiful.

We also went to Carl Sandburg's home. He was a writer in the 40's-60s. For anyone interested in art, he was good friends with Edward Steichen and collaborated on the exhibition "family of man."

His wife bred goats-had 200 at one time. They still have goats on the farm. I took some pics. They are adorable. You will see a cat who just sits with them and seems to be their guardian.

We are headed to Beacon's Drive-in in SC featured on "diners drive-ins and dives."

Then Jacksonville, FL!

Pics to follow as long as we have internet at the hotel.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Day 2 of Winter Road Trip 2009

Today Matt and I are driving through Ky into TN. Our destination is the Andrew Johnson Historic Site and then Asheville, NC. Pics will be added tonight!

The drive is going smoothly so far. I played my new Nintendo DS game - Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. It was an x-mas present from Matt and Sydney. Its so fun!! Can't wait to get the winter games for PS3.

I also had to call the electric co in cleveland. For some reason I thought my landlord would transfer service out of my name. My bad!

Its 42 degrees and rising.