Florida's Winter Garden

Papa’s World – Exploring Winter Gardens nature preserve.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Just outside Winter Garden, Fla., is-

LAKE APONKA –

A huge lake –

And its long coastline is a nature preserve!

Papa- Buck – Sherry and Cindy stand in front of the sign-

That tells the history of the region!

Standing by the rail –

You see all types of birds –

Turtles and baby Alligators!

The marsh weeds are full of unseen birds making calls –

That we did not recognise!

Baby Alligators were all over the place –

and in the weeds, hard to see.

When they do not move –

They blend in with the mud and weeds!

It seemed everywhere we looked –

We saw baby Alligators!

Many, many birds we could not see –

until they popped out of the marsh weeds!

Papa – thinking I would never want to be wading on the banks of this lake! LOL!

The expanse of the lake can be seen in the picture above –

It was worth visiting and free –

Parking was available,

And we even met a group-

Who were touring on Bicycles!

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway. blog

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Papa’s World – Touring Winter Garden, Fla.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

At this restaurant,

we were able to build-

Our very own BISON BURGER!

Something of a first for me!

They hand this plastic menu for you-

You then write your name and proceed to circle everything you want.

Including how you want it cooked.

A unique idea,

and we had fun doing it!

Very tasty!

Cindy – Buck and Sherry.

We stayed in Winter Garden in the Spring at an AIRBNB –

Using it as a base to explore the area.

We have traveled the World with Cindy and Buck!

Walking the streets of Winter Garden –

Cindy goes to a store to see what is there.

Sherry was admiring the many flowers up and down the street!

It was a warm day in the sun –

Lots of activity up and down the street.

Winter Garden is a beautiful little city –

Flower beds all over

Bright colors – and lush greens in the old oak trees

and the palm trees!

We had a good time in the sunshine and warm air.

The girls are shopping-

Buck and I sit in the sun on a bench in Winter Garden.

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Papa’s World – A trip to Epcot!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

For years and years –

Sherry has wanted to visit the flower show at Epcot!

In March – we joined our friends – The McBrides- who were already in Florida-

Helping their daughter at a vendor show in Winter Garden.

They asked if we wanted to join them after their daughter and grandkids left-

By extending the AIRBNB!

We said YES!

The plans were made –

We traveled South and joined them at the AIRBNB.

We were going to spend one full day in EPCOT!

Above – Sherry and Cindy!

It was everything she had hoped for plus more!

Sherry was so happy to have finally made it to the Flower Show at EPCOT!

We spent a solid eight hours here –

seeing as much as we could –

bright sunshine – warm weather –

Cindy and Sherry walk toward me.

Good friends to share memories with.

The McBrides – Cindy – Buck and Sherry.

Thanks for reading – SHERRY FINALLY GOT TO THE FLOWER SHOW AT EPCOT!

PAPA’S WORLD – My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Papa’s World – All things past!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Sherry and I are at our breakfast table – going over paperwork!

I believe it to be getting ready to sell the house.

This was a big moment for us as this was supposed to be our retirement home.

Things changed – during the Pandemic – kids moved and 401K went South.

But the housing market went way up

TIME TO MOVE ON FROM THE PAST TO THE FUTURE!

Just before the Pandemic hit –

We spent a month in Florida at an Airbnb.

While out exploring –

We found this unique British Pub!

Everything British – food -music-

A memory from the past!

After we sold the house in NVA-

We moved South to North Myrtle Beach.

This was right in the middle of the Pandemic.

As you can see – in the middle of the day –

We were the only people out and about.

These stores were still all open.

I felt so bad for them!

A MEMORY FROM THE PAST-

I SHALL ALWAYS HAVE AS A MEMORY!

In Florida – we attended a Madre Gras festival near our stay.

Warm weather and lots of beads and memories!

Our past memories serve as a reminder of all things in our lives.

Looking forward to making new memories.

Friends – family and new people to meet.

New to our involvement is the Protection of Sea Turtles.

From mid-May to mid-October –

We spend time almost every day on the beach-

either walking to find Sea Turtle nests or sitting by a nest waiting for them to hatch.

Memories of both past and present.

Cindy and Sherry at Niagra Falls on one of our many trips together inside the country and overseas!

Making memories for almost forty years –

Friends for a lifetime-

Ready to make new memories –

Thanks for reading Papa’s World –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Star Wars – Hollywood Studio – Disney – a dream come true!

/ Tom / Leave a comment
Outside the entrance to Hollywood studio’s – where we took Ella for her 16th. birthday present.

She opened the envelope at her birthday party in July!

There was a picture of Star Wars and the attraction in Florida at Disney World.

“You will spend one week with grandma and grandpa in Florida!

You will ride down with them at the end of Jan.

and go to Holly Wood studios to see Star Wars

and at the end of the week – for the first time ever

They will put you on a plane and you will FLY back home!

Bode – who his World is Ella – and she is so good to him.

We had done something special for Maddy when she turned 16.

Her wish was to be able to swim with the Manatee’s!

So – in the winter – she and her mom flew down –

and she did just that – and then we all drove back home!

Ella – her little buddy is Bode

He follows her everywhere and she just laughs!

She is so good to him and when she goes to college next year

She wants to become a Phys Ed teacher to the little ones!

She will be excellent – so kind – so much of a good heart.

And a very good soccer player.

We spent the time touring with her also – showing her where my brother lived

and the three town centers of The Villages!

Brownwood of the villages.

We went to see the Manatees and the beach on the West coast

We toured the town where we were staying – and stopped in the coffee shop

to get her a chocolate chip cookie each time – she loved that!

Soon it would be time for her to FLY!

Standing in line as we all watched – her forst time and she handled it like a pro.

Tears welled in my eyes –

my little Ella ( tiny) is what we called her

all grown up and out on her own.

Now – be careful – don’t mix with strange people I worried.

When she was small – she would always come to me – clutch my leg –

climb up into my lap.

I cherish those memories – “IS HE OKAY” she said to her mother

when I had my heart attack.

YES I HAD A LUMP IN MY THROAT

as I went from vantage point to vantage point watching her in the long line.

Ella and Sherry – a trip she will always remember.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

click on : LIKE

click on: SUBSCRIBE

IT IS ALL FREE!

PAPA’S WORLD: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog