2015-8-19---So long Coral Springs---

It's a LONG drive from South Florida to St. Louis, but we had a Cardinal game to get to!

  And since we had a lot of Wyndham vacation resort points left for this year, we decided to make a few stops along the way.  First stop---Daytona Beach at the Wyndham Ocean Walk Resort.  We hadn't been to Daytona for about 30 years.  Even then it was just for a night (like this time) and that time we were not in a resort.  It was nice checking out another Wyndham resort.  We were able to use our VIP status and get a 2 bedroom presidential unit for half the points of a 1 bedroom.  I was very impressed with the condo.

  2nd bedroom

 kitchen

 master bedroom

 view from our lanai

 We were on the 10th floor and had quite the view of the ocean.  Even though we were looking East over the ocean, sunset was still pretty impressive.

The resort is huge with at least 5 pools.  After dining at Forest Gumps in the plaza adjoining the resort, we hung out in one of the 3 outdoor pools.  It's nice that they're open really late.

Not a bad place to spend the night on our way back north.

8-17-15  back to Deerfield beach!

 Found it interesting that the one cloud here is pinkish in color and it was far from sunset.

 One of the rougher days when we've been here.

 8-15-15  north along A1A to West Palm Beach through Delray and Boynton Beach.
Originally I thought we were heading to lighthouse point in Pompano, but  when Ken turned north instead of south on A1A from Deerfield Beach, I figured he decided to go elsewhere.  It didn't matter to me, I was game for anywhere.  About 30 minutes later, Ken mentioned he thought we would be at the lighthouse by now.  To which I replied that we would have it he had turned right instead of left in Deerfield.  For some reason, he seems to be having a really hard time with his directions since we moved here.  Which really surprises me especially when you have an ocean right in front of you.  Obviously you're facing East with the Atlantic there, so left is North and right is South!   Anyway, we were now in new territory so I was enjoying the ride.
Loved this mailbox. 

 I was really shocked to find a trailer park right across from the beach!  Wonder how much they are?!

 Just another interesting different looking house.

 along one of the private beach accesses

 When we came across Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park, we decided to check it out.  Found out that after 5pm the parking is free.  Before then it's only $5.  Pretty much a bargain for S. Florida!

  By our parking spot.

 We did get a kick out of the first "Hazard" here!

 It was so overcast and lack luster in color that we didn't stay here long.

Since we were already this far, I suggested we continue to West Palm Beach and drive by the Flagler House, so we did.  Along the way we came across this interesting church.

 Don't know the name of it, just loved the architecture.

 We also came across the famous Breakers Hotel.  I've seen it on tv, but this was the first time I've seen it in person---even though it was just to drive around the entrance and continue on our way.

 Love the unique way they sculpt the hedges out this way.

 Even forming tunnels with them.

 and fabulous privacy fences.

Flagler House is as beautiful as I remembered.  I toured it several years ago and will be touring it again one of these days.  Maybe when it's decorated for Christmas!

So what started out as a wrong turn turned into another fun adventure.  

8-14-15 Tamarac 55+ community:
Too bad Ken is reluctant to buy a place.  I believe we could live in a house in a community like this for what we're paying for rent on our 1 bedroom condo.   I don't recall senior housing communities in St. Louis, so I even find it fascinating driving through them.  Sometimes I think it would be nice to be in a 55+ community.  Maybe we'd meet some people our age.  Maybe we wouldn't hear the kids above and below us banging on drums now and then.  Maybe they'd have some activities we're interested in.  We even went and checked out the senior program in Tamarac and they have a lot of activities---including volleyball, pickleball, yoga, aqua aerobics for arthritis, even painting---all for $40/year for non-residents.  Anyway, I found a few things definitely different in the senior community----------
Like how they like to paint their driveways!

 Sure would think the paint would wear off quickly.

 They even adorn their garage doors.

  Even this guy liked the neighborhood.  We actually ended up going to an Estate sale in this subdivision in Oct.  It was interesting seeing the inside of one of the houses.  It definitely had the worn look.

8-12-15 Deerfield Beach:
When I go to the beach with Angie, she and I will get in the water.  If it's the weekend, Josh does, too.  So any time she asks if I want to go I say, "Yes!"   So here we are at Deerfield again.

 Looked like there were surfing lessons going on here.

 Another bird we don't have in St. Louis.

8-7-15  to Angie's to take her to Josh's work, then we continued on to North Lauderdale
.I love the landscaping around here!  Especially at the entrances to the different subdivisions.  Some day I'll have to go around just taking pictures of that.  But today I got this one in Parkland.

 On to Angie's house where we encountered this rather large lizard who seems to have made his home in one of the trees in Angie and Josh's front yard.

 Just another picture of our little green friend.

 On the way to Josh's work was this rainbow.  Years ago my Mom wrote, "I wish you rainbows", so everytime I see one, I think of her.  I bet Mom would have loved S. Florida as much as I do!

 After dropping Angie off with Josh so they could ride together to pick up friends from the airport, Ken and I continued to the coast. 

 We didn't go prepared to swim, so after a short visit here, we continued north and checked out some more around Ft. Lauderdale.
Don't remember what this guy was by, just thought he was rather cute.

 Some of Fort Lauderdale.

 More along A1a through Lauderdale.

 Finally we came upon a nice large beach area in North Lauderdale.

  We decided to park and walk out to the beach and watch sunset.  Just happened to be the parking lot to this historic house---the  4,400sq. ft Carpenter House which was built in 1941.  Apparently you can pay to tour the house, but it was closed by the time we stopped there.   I've been to some estate sales in the Miami area with Angie and Josh to estates that are probably close to being that old and they are quite the sites to see! 

 We took a path along side the house to the beach and set up for sunset.  Even happened to get a really pretty one that night!

 A lady walked up to us and started chatting with us.  Turns out she lives in St. Louis!   She even had friends who knew some of our friends.  Small world!

 Turned out to be one of the best sunsets we've seen in Florida.