Our First Visitor

January 14 - 20, 2016

Our daughter Brielle had hoped to visit us while we were cruising America's Great Loop aboard s/v Mystic, but the timing for her vacation didn't work out. Instead, she opted for a visit to Florida while Dave was working the KBIS trade show. Brie arrived the day after the show ended which made for perfect planning of a fun week at the beach. The morning after her arrival in Orlando, we drove to Melbourne then headed for the ocean.

Brielle at Canova Beach, Melbourne, FL

After getting our fill of salt and sand we drove into town and parked along Indian River so I could run the causeway. This is one of my favorite Florida runs. It's about four miles with two hills up and two hills down and an amazing view at the top! Dave and Brie walked to the center of the expansion, with camera in hand, and got some great photos. We took Brie to Meg O'Malley's in downtown Melbourne for dinner. Brie mentioned, several times, that she should plan to take more warm weather vacations!

Running the Melbourne causeway

Sailboat on the Indian River
Looks like Us

Melbourne Mural

Meg O'Malley's, Melbourne, FL

We spent the rest of the week visiting Nature Preserves and beaches. Our first stop was Black Point Wildlife Loop in the Merritt Parkway Wildlife Preserve. The weather was gorgeous and we had a great time finding alligators, turtles, wild pigs and birds. The park has several points where you can get out of your car and hike to viewing stations. We walked a good five miles to access these spots. Brie enjoyed the park but was very wary of the enormous alligators lounging along the trail.

Egret reflection

Purple wildflower

Great Southern White Butterfly

Cactus

Brie and Dave

Roseate Spoonbill

Green Heron

Snowy Heron

Big Boy

Lounging at Merritt Parkway Wildlife Preserve

Resting gator

Brielle at Viewing Station

Merritt Parkway Wildlife Preserve Viewing Station

Roseate Spoonbill

Green Heron

Two gators and a scoter

Mama feral hog

Foraging

Hog Reflection

When we left the Wildlife Preserve, we drove to the Canaveral National Seashore and strolled along the deserted beach. The tide was out; creating warm, ankle deep, tidal pools.

Beth & Brie on Canaveral National Seashore

Velella ~ Little Sail Jellyfish

Tidal pools

We visited Manatee Sanctuary Park in Port Canaveral, a perfect spot to watch the setting sun over the Banana River. The view is unrestricted and one of our favorite places to watch the sunset. Dave and I have done this many times but it was extra nice sharing it with Brie!

Sunset at Manatee Sanctuary Park, Port Canaveral

Brie and Beth Manatee Sanctuary Park Port Canaveral

Manatee Sanctuary Park, Port Canaveral

Beth & Dave

We met up with our friends Dave and Deshone Boner at Broken Barrel in Palm Bay for dinner. It was a great evening of good beer and excellent company. We always have a great time with Dave and Deshone when we come to town.

With Dave & Deshone Boner

Deshone told us about Turkey Creek Sanctuary, which is 130 acre park in Palm Bay. The 1.85 mile boardwalk took us over wet hammock and sand pine scrub. The sanctuary offers walking, jogging and biking trails, canoeing, and a nature center. The park is full of a multitude of wildlife. We saw fish, turtles, birds and a baby raccoon who came up on the boardwalk to beg us for a handout. We really enjoyed Turkey Creek and will visit again.

Margaret Hames Nature Center

Brie and Dave on the boardwalk

The Turkey Creek Boardwalk

PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION

I LOVE YOU AUNT SISSY

2 HEARTS ~ 1 KAYAK

MR FRED WAS HERE DEC 2016

THE ROGERS FAMILY

Beth & Dave

Beautiful Spanish Moss

Spanish Moss close up

Brie & Dave

Can you tell we love Spanish Moss?

Beth & Dave

Turtles on a log

Turtle paddle

Bold Raccoon

On Tuesday, we dropped Brie off at the beach and headed for a run along 1A1. Within a mile, I took a hard digger, landing on my right side on the sidewalk. Dave was behind me and saw me trip over a 2" raised portion of concrete. As I lay on the ground trying to catch my breath I thought, 'so this is what happens when exuberant forward motion meets defective sidewalk'. Dave peeled me up off the ground, poured water on my road burn, then off we went, completing another three miles before meeting Brie at the beach.

The elbow took the brunt of my fall

Owwie!

Dave's family is originally from Haynes City, FL. His cousins, Steve and Lila Rogers, live in St. Cloud. Steve is a musician on the side and he and Lila have introduced us to many great places in central Florida. We met them at Murdock's in Cocoa Village, for dinner. The last time we'd met them here, Dave, Lila and I had just completed the Space Coast Marathon.

One of Steve's Musical groups
Harper and Rogers

On Wednesday we took a long drive to Sebastian Inlet. Dave and I had never been there before so it was new to us as well as to Brie. There are three miles of beautiful beaches and a shallow bay side beach, great for families with small children. It's a popular salt water fishing spot as well as a favorite place for surfing. We had a great day on the ocean side of the Inlet, even taking a dip between the crashing waves. Brielle scored big time finding shells and I was thrilled to discover a beautiful piece of blue sea glass!

Birds on Fishing Pier ~ Sebastian Inlet

Black Skimmers congregate along Sebastian Inlet

Sea Glass and Whale Rock

We went back to the hotel long enough to shower then met Steve and Lila at Reprise Brewing Co. in St. Cloud. We had a wonderful time enjoying a few microbrews and playing Cards Against Humanity, a hilarious game that asks your input on silly questions and situations. You answer with the cards you are dealt, which are often inappropriate. We laughed all night long!

Beth & Dave ~ Steve & Lila

Sign on the wall ~ Reprise Brewing Co.

The week flew by in a flurry of activity at the beach and local establishments. On Thursday we had to drive back to Orlando. Brie's flight home was early Friday morning so we stayed at the Castle to be near the airport. It was nice to see our friends there again. Joe greeted us at the front door and the gals at the desk remembered us by name. We spent the afternoon at the pool then met Steve and Lila at Gnarly Barley, one of our favorite Orlando restaurants. The place is a hole in the wall, established in 2012 by three young guys who wanted a place for locals to enjoy food and beer! The menu is quite good and the beer is abundant and cheap! They have 16 taps, and a huge list of canned beers, ciders and meads which they constantly rotate. Thanks to Steve and Lila for being spontaneous for adventure, just like us!

http://www.thegnarlybarley.com/