Saturday, January 4, 2014

Lover’s Key State Park and Katie “Gets it”

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Katie’s last few days were jam packed with activities. One last request was a trip to the beach so one afternoon we drove over to Lover’s Key State Park beach access. We had been going to Bonita Beach on Little Hickory Island but wanted her to see the really neat dead trees that line the shoreline at Lover’s Key.

Lovers Lane SP FL 019       Lovers Lane SP FL 029

Right after we set up at Lover’s Key we spotted some dolphins just offshore working a school of fish. Seeing dolphins always makes a day to the beach just a little bit better. I tried my luck catching some bait for fishing but there was none to be had so I took the fishing gear back to the car. When I returned I suggested we walk the beach to see the trees at Lover’s Key beach.

Sea shells were abundant in the powdery white sand along this stretch of the Florida coastline. Exoskeletal remains of horseshoe crabs were also scattered along the beach. Missing this time were the brittle starfish that were plentiful the last visited this same beach two years ago. But the “exoskeletal” trees were still present and what great photographic opportunities they possess due to their artistic beauty… It really is hard to have a bad day at the beach!

Lovers Lane SP FL 023Lovers Lane SP FL 040

We also played plenty of cornhole or beanbag toss, whatever you may call it. We also played several games of shuffleboard, attended a few pot locks, as well as an impromptu happy hour or two…  Katie spent about 16 days here and it was fun watching her become a part of this RV community.  She immersed herself in our lifestyle. and enjoyed getting to know many of our new winter friends.  When it was finally time to go back to her home in North Carolina she was very sad to leave us and all her new winter friends.. We were very glad she had the time to spend with us where she could really experience our lifestyle… If she never “got it” before as to why we chose this lifestyle for our early retirement she most certainly “gets it” now!!!

Lovers Lane SP FL 017Lovers Lane SP FL 020

The time came to drop her off at the airport and bid her a fond farewell… Before Katie made the trip here she had to quit the job she loved as a Physical Therapy Assistant and is now about to embark on a new journey as she starts her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I wish we were able to fund her schooling but unfortunately she will need to take on student loans.  She will have some debt after school but pursuing this dream of hers will open up a new lifetime adventure which we can’t wait to see unfold...

13 comments:

  1. Best wishes to Katie as she begins the journey to a DPT. it is a very rewarding career choice, one that might come in handy for you two!

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  2. What a wonderful, long visit y'all had. You made some awesome memories with Katie.
    Please pass along our good wishes for her new adventure. It sure is going to be challenging, but the rewards will be fantastic.

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  3. I'm glad Katie had a chance to understand your lifestyle. Most people just don't quite "get it", do they? Love the picture of her jumping in the air. Great shot.

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  4. So nice you were able to share an awesome beach day!


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    Karen and Steve
    (Blog) RVing: The USA Is Our Big Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com
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  5. What's in the plans for this year's travels?

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  6. You are correct when you say you can't have a bad day at the beach! Good Luck to Katie!

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  7. It is great that you were able to spend quality time with Katie. DPT is a great career and I am sure she will do well but she will be pretty busy for the next few years.

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  8. Fabulous opening picture. I am so envious of your having 16 days with her to enjoy. Our Carrie gets it too and when she has to get up and go to work in 9 degree weather she really gets it. We had the same experience with Carrie and law school. We couldn't pay so she took loans which she is still paying off. Such a shame advanced education in this country is so expensive. Best wishes to Katie.

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  9. Love the picture of Katie in the air. Good luck for her future.

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  10. So nice that she could spend the time with you and understand your lifestyle, that many people don't "Get" until they experience it.

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  11. What a lovely time you had with Katie. Sounds like she is about to embark on a great new adventure in earning her DPT. You must be quite proud of her drive and independence.

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  12. It is always great to spend time with our kids on the road. Looks like a great time on the beach.

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  13. Nice that your daughter was able to spend time with you guys . . . we love having our boys with us during our travels, and it'll be sad when they leave us to go off to college! I enjoyed the pictures from Lovers Key . . . we volunteered there last winter, and it was great!

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