Mary and I are spending three months in Estero Florida, trying to stay warm and evade the winter weather in Maryland. No, we didn't fly south this year, instead, we drove. The decision was made to drive so we could pack what was needed for the extended stay and we took along the Malachi brothers too. I call our two black cats the Malachi brothers everyone else calls them by name, Smoke and Binx.
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| Enjoying the lake view from our place in Estero |
We took the Mercedes GLC 300 and with the back seats folded down it was full to the rear hatch. The boys did really good, a few meows in the first thirty minutes but then quiet. Binx did pant pretty heavy on and off for the first hour but then settled in. We did overnight in Kingsland Georgia after eleven hours of driving. The hotel was nice but the area, not so much. We were serenaded to sleep by sirens most of the night. The remaining drive the following morning was five hours to our rental.
While enjoying the warm temps we have decided to day trip as often as possible. Our first day trip was to Sebring, home of the IMSA Twelve Hours of Sebring race. While attending the race would be fun Mary and I decided to continue our tour of HGTV shows. In the past we have flown to Waco Texas to visit the Fixer Upper series of Chip and Joanna Gaines. The HGTV Home Town series by Ben and Erin Napier in Laurel MS was fun and now their Home Town Takeover of Sebring. There are two Home Town locations remaining on our list, Wetumpka Alabama and Fort Morgan Colorado, but that's for another time.
The drive to Sebring took just under two hours and despite having to drive on RT 75 it was a fun trip. My take-away, there sure is alot of cattle in florida!The weather was perfect as we strolled along the streets, checking out shops along the way. I do regret not taking a close up of the first mural pictured below. I would have shared who it was and the back story. My search will continue. I need to take a lesson or two from Chris at Photographic Logbook.
The main street circle was busy along with all the connecting streets. There was a decent amount of foot traffic and the restaurants were busy. It was fun checking out the shops and all the local items.
Sugar Blossoms was what I hope Heaven smells like. Seriously, the pastries and baked bread was overwhelming. I made the comment to the young lady behind the counter that I could pull up a chair and sit for the day enjoying the delectable fresh bread aroma.
We are enjoying our take home sourdough bread along with a few croissants this morning as I type this post.
Mary and I did take a break from walking and sampled some of the pastries at Sophie's. I enjoyed a cheese with cherry topping over pastry dough while Mary had an apple turnover. I was good with my favorite sweet tea and my bride enjoyed a hot Chai latte.
We are looking forward to our next day trip. I think the Naples zoo will be the go to next week and then maybe an overnight in Key West. Stay tuned, more to follow.
