Wednesday

I rode my bike down to Stevenson Creek after exercising at the gym this afternoon. I didn’t see any manatees but I got this great picture of the clouds reflecting in the water.

The day started off sunny but got cloudier as the day progressed.

The high temperature was 79 degrees and the low 65.

For lunch, we took Toby in the go cart to Bambino’s for takeout spinach stombolis.

I worked hard at the gym after lunch. I did a lot of stretching. I am reminded from time to time how important stretching is when I forget or get lazy. If I don’t stretch, I will eventually feel neck or back pain. I took off my arm brace after reading an article that said they are for temporary support. I guess after a year, I can consider my arm healed. I think I wore it for psychological support. I didn’t feel any pain from today’s workout. 

Next time I go kayaking, I’m going to watch my form and go easy.

This morning we rode our bikes out to the causeway and walked.

It looked like some sort of organized bike ride.

Nothing to complain about here.

Today’s bike routes to the causeway, Weaver Park, and Stevenson Creek 

We cover just a small portion of the peninsula.

I got a notice that our cushions for our sunroom furniture are on the way. The furniture itself is still a couple of weeks away from being shipped.

Miles walked: 10

Miles biked: 15.45

Tuesday

Today was Toby’s day. He got to practice his brain games at Petsmart.

We had a small class, just Barkley and Toby. Toby did great getting into an automatic down when we get ready to sit down, without a command or gesture.

Toby’s getting better at settling. It could be because Buffy wasn’t there; she always gets him riled up.

He did pretty good choosing Laverne (lizard) or Candi (candy) upon command.

We were so tired before getting there that we feared a disaster, but we all rose to the occasion.

Toby flopped over in the backseat as soon as we got in the car. He was exhausted.

We managed to ride our bikes out to the causeway and walk this morning. We passed two of our neighbors at the Bayshore Curlew intersection coming back from their bike rides.

It was a beautiful day, about 65 when we started and 70 degrees when we got home for lunch. The high today was 79. In the photo above, I had stopped walking when I heard two huge breaths. I turned fast enough to see a huge adult and small manatee coming up for air. The adult had several scars on its tail fin. I couldn’t get a picture of them before they dove deep and stayed underwater.

This seagull caught a fish.

Ward island and the mainland on the way to the causeway.

Our friend, Bill’s, newly painted house.

Last walk of the day

Toby had a break out of small bumps today, so he’s going to get a medicated shampoo before bed and some Benadryl. We keep thinking we’re through with bumps, but they are lingering.

Miles walked: 10

Miles biked: 5.12

Monday

 

The day started off cloudy and cool, but by the time we got to the causeway to walk, the skies had cleared and the temperature had warmed up to 64 degrees.

We parked at Walgreens for John to drop off a prescription. We walked from there to the gates of Honeymoon Island and back.

Since we had the car, we went to Publix afterwards and restocked our fridge and pantry.

I headed to the outdoor gym at Weaver Park after lunch on my bike. It was 75 degrees with a light breeze. Perfect weather for outdoor activities.

I had the place to myself almost the entire time.

I didn’t feel like exercising when I woke up this morning: I was tired and groggy headed. But after lunch, I regained my equilibrium. It turned out to be a great workout. I try to remember these experiences whenever I don’t feel like going. Once I get there, I always am glad I went.

I rode down to Stevenson Creek looking for manatees. No such luck today.

But I did enjoy the views.

Last walk of the day at sunset

A little Christmas cheer

Toby curled up beside me while I put this blog together. He’s almost bump free today.

Miles walked: 13

Miles biked: 10.38

Sunday

 

After lunch, I rode my bike out to Honeymoon Island and walked on the beach. John was meeting with a friend. Pam and I walked to this shell tree when she was here a few weeks ago. One of those shells is hers.

It was 80 degrees with a strong breeze, about 14 mph.

It was a little hazy on the horizon. The waves were strong and stirred up lots of sediment. No clear water today.

I enjoyed my trip immensely; even walking my bike over the bridge was nice.

The beach erosion is pretty bad. It’s almost back to where it was before the latest renourishment. The new sea oat plantings are falling into the high tide line. That’s 3 1/2 feet of sand that’s been washed away from here to about 50 yards out.

Before the last sand renourishment, the sea grape tree above was in the water. That shows how much sand is left.

A stretch of crumbled up limestone, the porous rock that Florida is made of.

The two palm trees at the right were perilously close to the high tide line before the renourishment.

Catching a few rays. Walking on the beach alone is worth a month of therapy.

I do not take this for granted. I appreciate every trip to the beach.

It rained for twenty minutes around dinner time. It cooled the air down to a refreshing 73 degrees.

I noticed the Christmas decorations for the first time on my way home.

The blue dot shows where I turned around on my beach walk. I began my walk at bathhouse #2, which is about midway between the blue dot and the southern tip of the island.

Today’s bike ride to Honeymoon Island 

Miles walked: 8.5

Miles biked: 12.28