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FOR CAMERA CRITTERS. Thank you to Misty for hosting.
Of all the fine art in this gallery, this camera-shy kitty is undoubtedly the most valuable. Because I'm sure the owner wouldn't let her go at any price!
She was quite funny, keeping an eye on passersby until someone tried to snap a picture, then she'd hide her face. (Taken in the French Quarter of New Orleans, November 2011.)
Thank you to the hosts of SKYWATCH FRIDAY. These are morning views from different points here at Upriver RV resort.
This is looking across the canal from our back deck.
And from the end of the driveway into the resort.
Sunrise from the East side of the canal.
Just the beginnings of a few more beautiful days here at Upriver.
FOR WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY (go visit!). Thank you Dave.
Spotted on a morning walk along our canal toward the end where this light pole is, the osprey was sitting so quietly that at first I didn't even think it was a bird. He didn't move much for about half-an-hour -- just looked left and right -- searching for something to eat.
And finally giving up and flying off. (I was ready for breakfast by that time too!)
FOR OUR WORLD. Thank you to the hosts for providing this opportunity to share what's happening in every corner of this planet.
Wishing you a Happy New Year. May your skies be blue and all of your takeoffs and landings be graceful. May your year be filled with bright colors and may it be just a little zany sometimes.
And if you get to enjoy a baked grouper sandwich once in a while, while looking out at the water, then that's even better.
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All pictures from the village of Matlacha -- taken when we visited early last week.
Here is a link to a post about Matlacha from the first year we stayed here in Florida. It even tells how to pronounce it.
FOR OUR WORLD. In our world last week, we celebrated the season non-traditionally ... among friends instead of family, in 75 degree weather instead of (much chillier) and by watching Christmas fireworks and beautifully decorated boats... A Christmas parade in the middle of the canals instead of down the middle of the street.
Whether your Christmas is the same as it's always been or just a little bit different this year, we wish you one that is filled with joy.
For SKYWATCH FRIDAY. Thank you to the wonderful hosts.
Our Florida skies right now are filled with what the weather forecaster calls "fair weather clouds." And that's more than fair as far as we're concerned.
It's good to be back.
FOR SIGNS SIGNS hosted by Lesley
(Sign and window display sighted in the French Quarter of New Orleans, end of November 2011).
No, it is the brown pelican that is actually Louisiana's State Bird. This bird is less graceful than the white ones -- when he dives after a fish, "bellyflop" is the only word to describe the landing. But the brown pelican is a friendly fellow --- he's just here for the party!
Probably no wonder he's Louisiana's State Bird
These pelican pictures are not actually from Louisiana. The white ones were taken in Fulton Harbor Texas and the party guy is sitting on our boat here in Florida. Here is a link to our album of Louisiana birds (not pelicans) and other fauna and flora taken in the bayou country a few years ago. We enjoyed our short visit to New Orleans a couple of weeks ago, but next time we will spend more time in the Bayous instead.
This post is linked to OUR WORLD. (We visited downtown New Orleans two weeks ago today.)
New Orleans was our last more-than-overnight stop on our way home to Fort Myers. It was cold when we visited downtown.
Normally bustling streets were almost empty.
Street artists, musicians and entertainers, usually a big part of the City, were few and far between. Chilly weather and lack of crowds don't add up to a very lucrative day's work.
This guy was the only one showing his work along this alleyway which is usually solid with arts and craftspeople. He was about to pack it in as well and who could blame him.
We stopped for coffee at Cafe Du Monde. When we were here before, the wait to get into this historic cafe was too long for us.
Even with the sparse crowds, it was a good people-watching place. The Cafe Au Laits were wonderful and warming. We shared a plate of beignets -- our first -- and agreed that it would probably be our last. Pretty much the first Louisiana food that we didn't fall in love with at first bite.
In the French Quarter, your gaze is inevitably drawn upwards to the variety of balconies ... in various states of repair and disrepair.
I always wonder what it would be like to live in the heart of this unique city with all its history... joyful and tragic.
Here are a couple more interesting balconies (click to enlarge):
FOR RUBY TUESDAY. Thanks Mary -- it's the perfect season for RT!
Christmas windows in the French Quarter of New Orleans, where we were last week, are wonderfully over-the-top, as might be expected from this flamboyant city.
Of course, while shopping, we added many items to our collections (of photographs and memories).
FOR SUNDAY BRIDGES and NATURE'S FOOTSTEPS-WATERS- During the last week of our recently completed roadtrip we spent a few days in New Orleans. These are the Crescent City Connection bridges--twin spans carrying traffic in different directions.
The first thing we did when we went to downtown New Orleans was head for the Mississippi River waterfront. Do we know how to party or what?
Below is the Mississippi River Steamship 'The Natchez'. There are miles of walkways and park areas along this working waterfront, just steps away from all the action in the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. (Although it was so cold when we were there that the action was minimal. We didn't mind the minimal action, but we did mind the biting cold.)
This look back at a stop on our recently-completed roadtrip is linked to SKYWATCH FRIDAY.
We were in Fredericksburg Texas over Thanksgiving weekend, when the town celebrated the beginning of the holiday season.
Skies were blue, it was warm .... roses were still blooming in the City park ...
but the charming decorations were enough to put us in a holiday spirit.
We loved this giant version of a traditional German Christmas pyramid.
Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 by a small group of settlers from Germany and retains much of its heritage. Lots of good German food and a bustling historical district. Here is the Wiki-link to an article about the City.
This wasn't our first visit, since in our earlier full-timing days we spent several winter seasons in Texas. There is a lot to do and see in Fredericksburg and, based on the crowds on the days after the Holiday, pretty much everybody in this part of Texas was there to do it. The town is definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.
If you think this is a question, I hope you'll be kind when you answer it!
Why is another little town where I just had to jump out to take pictures of the signs. This one is another place miles beyond nowhere -- it's in Arizona, just past Ajo heading down the lonesome road toward Tucson.
THIS POST IS LINKED TO SIGNS SIGNS. Thank you Lesley.
The picture below is what it looks like around Why. I don't know Why, it just does.
(My blogging friend Hazel, from England, has included information about WHY the town is named as it is in her comment below. Thank you Hazel!)
FOR NATURE'S FOOTSTEPS: WATERS. And OUR WORLD.
This picture is from across the water, looking at our "canal cottage." It survived the summer just fine.
So our world this week is mostly unpacking and cleaning and getting organized for the season ... but our water is right here to enjoy in between tasks.
It's great to be home!
(Hope to have a couple more "flashback" posts about the end of our roadtrip later in the week.)
FOR SKYWATCH FRIDAY
Watch the whiplash effect. This post is traveling back to an earlier part of our roadtrip ** -- our short stay in Ajo. Remember, it is the spot, according to a sign at the RV Park, that's 4 miles past the end of the world.
The skies were amazing as we drove toward Ajo -- and they were still lovely as sundown approached after we pulled into our home for the night.
** In real-life on our roadtrip, we are in Florida and we should be home tomorrow. See y'all next week!