All Signs Point North

Today I headed up the west coast of Florida. Between West Palm Beach and Naples, I've never seen such a plethora of Ferrari's, Mercedes, BMW's and Bentleys. I guess I need to get out more.

My first stop was in Nokomis, where I had a lovely visit with Denis & Paula, former neighbors who lived across the street from us, until they moved to Florida three years ago. It was great to sit and talk, enjoy a cup of tea and some fresh fruit, and catch up with one another.  And of course, there was a selfie involved.

The Tampa/St. Pete Sunshine Skyway Bridge was a sight to see. The suspension cable clusters resembled two gigantic yellow umbrellas that I feared would pop open at the most inopportune time. Once across it, I stopped at the rest area and captured a wind surfer having a go of it. 


By early afternoon, I had arrived at Kathy & Dean's house in Dunedin, FL , home of Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island State Parks. Dunedin features a former rail line which has been converted to a paved, 26-mile biking and walking trail. The town is quaint, charming and the people are very personable. We enjoyed dinner at a downtown pub where a lively trivia night was in session. Our server, Jessie, was the friendliest and most accommodating waitress. 



Kathy and I worked together for years, in the recreation program I ran for the elderly and disabled in Sussex County. Her husband, Dean, retired from Jersey Central Power & Light where our good friend Rick, a member of our Northwest Jersey Harley club, also worked. They knew each other well and we enjoyed swapping tales of their exploits. Kathy and I talked non-stop for hours. We had lots to share about our life's adventures, our loves and losses, the coping skills that have gotten us through rough waters, and what lies ahead in our futures. The three of us lounged with little 5 lb. "Bella" and our therapeutic conversations lasted until nearly midnight. 

I am so fortunate to have such a vast and varied, solid foundation of family and friends who have known me and Brian for so long, who have been there for me and who I have leaned on, and into, over the past seven months. 

To travel, reconnect and share, in person, with even more wonderful people who also have known us for decades, has been so good for my soul. The most important things in life, aren't things at all. It's the people you know and love along life's journey. They shine like the brightest stars in the sky.

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