Aug.1 - 2, 2015--Bahia Honda State Park:
The kids had camped here a year or so ago and bragged about the snorkeling.  So we planned an overnight (hotel stay) here with them.  The time finally came and we were on our way!
Hard to believe we were just packed for a one night stay! 

 It was about a 3 hour drive from Coral Springs, but a pretty pleasant one.   It was interesting seeing the old bridges of what I assume use to be Flagler's railway.

 When we finally got to Bahia Honda I was a bit concerned seeing the sign at the park entrance.  "Snorkeling trips canceled"---- why?

 We went to the camp ground area where they had snorkeled before and bragged about so much and went to check it out.  This picture doesn't show how choppy the water was and it was pretty brown near shore.

 So we headed back out passed this tree and drove to the public beach area.

 It didn't look any better, so we decided to head back to the first place and give it a shot.

 Again, the picture is misleading.  It was very choppy.  You can sort of prepare for a constant surf, but the chop was throwing us all over.  It was also very rocky (which is why is should be good for snorkeling). 

 By the time I got in far enough to put my fins on, I had already stubbed one of my toes big time.  Thought I might have broken it at the time.  Made walking the next couple days really hard.

 The water was very murky, too, so we headed right back in.  Sat on the beach for awhile trying to regroup, then decided to try the public beach on the gulf side.

 Heading back to the car.

 The public beach was pretty calm, but it was very crowded and also very murky. 

 So after hanging around there for a half hour or so, we decided to head to our hotel (the Kingsail which we had gotten for $119/night/room through Hotels.com).

 I was rather impressed with the rooms.  They were certainly white and appeared clean.

 We figured we could hang out at the pool and cool off.   Unfortunately it was the hottest pool I've ever been in.  The water had to be at least 100 degrees.  We didn't stay there too long. 

They did have a nice marina area, though, with shade and chairs so the kids and I went there and visited for awhile while Ken went back to our air conditioned room.  This is the building we were in as seen from the pool deck---ours was one of 2 rooms in it.

We were also right by the marina.  

Soon it was time to go in search of food.  Ended up at the Island Fish Company.

Views from our table were really nice.  I'd hoped for a sunset, but was foiled again by a bunch of clouds.

but we still enjoyed the views.

 Food was really good, though.  I wasn't much of a fish eater until I started going to Hawaii and other places on the water where they actually have good fish.  I never could get into catfish in the midwest!

 We tried to find a snorkel tour vendor to set up a trip for the next day, but all we could find was this guy and he wasn't talking.

 Back at the hotel the kids and I sat at the marina awhile longer visiting and enjoying the nice evening breezes.  Next morning we met again at the marina and visited until we decided it was time to go.

 even saw fish---little gars.

 The water was still choppy and brown, so we didn't bother trying to snorkel anymore.  We did stop at a big fruit stand on our way back.  I believe it was called Robert is Here.

 I believe Angie said this is the CIA building of Miami.  Interesting architecture.

 We had planned to go back to the kids' house and hit their pool, but we ran into some pretty rough weather so those plans were scratched, too.

 This certainly wasn't the weekend we were expecting!  But I did enjoy all the time with the kids.  Hopefully we'll try it again and it'll work out a lot better!

July 29, 2015---Sanibel!  Finally, I got to go to the other coast for the day.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't very cooperative, but the couple we were meeting made the trip well worth it.

Our son's father-in-law and his girlfriend were down vacationing in their condo in Siesta Kay.  So we arrange to meet them about half way between ours and their place, which happened to be Sanibel.  It was about a 2.5 hour drive from each of us.  There is a fee ($6 if I remember correctly) to enter the island, but it's worth it.We met them at CheeBurger CheeBurger (recommended by our daughter and son-in-law).  It was great.

 I was hoping to be able to play in the water, but before we left my husband said, "You aren't taking your swimsuit are you?"  But not really in a questioning tone.  So I didn't.  Brenda and I walked the waters edge and waded farther and farther out.  Finally we decided swimsuits or not, we're getting in!  It was a lot of fun!

 At least it was warm, even though it wasn't sunny.  
We did find some interesting walkways, too.

 And a National Park on the island that had an additional fee.  Ken had his Senior Pass, so our carload got in free.   We stopped a few places in the park and watched the fish jumping.  I believe they said they were mullets.  I even caught a fish jumping in a picture I was taking of an unusual bird.

 Better picture of the bird.

 better picture of the bay side.  Even saw a little blue sky for a short while.

 I hoped to see sunset from Sanibel, but it was totally overcast by then.  So we went to another restaurant on the bay.  I forget the name of it, but it was very good, too.

  Looking towards the bridge back to the mainland as we were leaving the restaurant.

 Looking back at the restaurant as we were leaving.

 It was a fun day.  Hopefully we don't need an excuse to get back there some day.

July 28, 2015  riding along A1A to Boca Raton and surrounding neighborhoods.
a main street through Boca.

 looking over the ocean at Boca.

 more of the Boca neighborhood houses

   love all the glass

 love all the foliage.

  love the criss cross decor of the vines.

 aside from the palm trees, a house I'd expect to see in Florissant.  Bet this one is a tad bit more pricey, though!

July 25, 2015  Eats and Beats in Parkland
We like going to the food trucks and eating dinner while people watching.  At least Angie, Josh and I like to.  Ken just goes.  They had the food trucks up in Parkland not too far from us a couple times this summer.  We made it to this one.  They even had a couple musicians performing during the evening.  While we were there it was 2 sisters.  One played the guitar and the other one sang.  They were very good!

 wandering around the trucks.

  I thought the skirt steak dinner sounded good.  Unfortunately, the skirt steak was inedible!  Hope it was just a one time thing for their sake.  But the sides were good.

 We were there pretty early.  A lot more people came by the time we left.  Another fun evening.

July 25, 2015--back to Deerfield Beach; this time to a new area that Angie and Josh just found a short distance from where we use to always go.

 The water was very calm today.  You could even lay on an inflatable raft and not go anywhere!

 Not only was it calm, but it was exceptionally clear.  So clear we could watch the little fish nipping at our feet.

 Maybe not as clear as the Caribbean, but much clearer then I've ever seen it here before!

July 19, 2015 fishing pier at Pompano Beach near sunset.

 Unlike the fishing pier in Deerfield Beach, this fishing pier is free.

 Looks like there's some driving done on this beach.

 looked like a group of people were checking out a place for a wedding or some sort of celebration.

 Not much of a sunset as far as clouds go, but still pretty.