How I Spent My Birthday -or- My Trip Across The Sunshine Skyway Bridge

I spent my birthday traveling today. I had to cross the scary Sunshine Skyway bridge as part of my journey.

It's so high! Can you blame me for getting nervous over this? Actually I did better today - either I am starting to get used to it or my "trick" worked. What trick? I told myself today that since it's scary and you have to pay $1 to cross it, then it's just like a scary ride at Disney or Busche Gardens!

This is what it looks like when you are at the top IF you are in the center lane. For some reason I find the inside fast lane scarier so I ride in the outside lane and you can see over the edge down into the water. Perhaps that's not a good choce???? Oh, don't worry - I didn't photo while I drove. I got these photos from Wikipedia.

This is what greated us at Aunt Flossie's house. She has a beautiful salmon color Christmas cacus in prime bloom. She said she had two but due to overwatering she now only has one.

Here's today's photo of my Dad and his sister Flossie. She lives in Arcadia which is about an hour and half away from us. Dad will be spending the week there. I wil pick him up next Saturday. He spent Christmas with us and will spend New Year's with her. They were already making plans when we were leaving. if you happen to be in DeSoto county Florida this week and see an 80 year old man and a 92 year old woman driving in a big car, look out! They are up to no good, LOL.

I loved the ambiance in Aunt Flossie's front room. The combination of the Christmas lights and pig lights created a nice light and mood. It was sort of a pink/peach glow which is one of my favorite colors. I just KNOW my complexion looked good in those lights so it was hard to leave ;)

But leave we did. On the way home, mom and I stopped at Prime Outlets in Ellenton to spend some of my Christmas & birthday $$$. I had this big wad of cash and felt like I was on "What Not To Wear" as I tried to be super critical of cut & fit to ensure that I would wear the items I bought. Too often it's "good enough" and then I only wear it once or twice. It was hard to shop smart instead of settling. I spend about half and bought 3 pairs of pants, 3 tops, 1 dress, and a suit jacket. I truly felt like Stacy & Clinton were over my shoulder telling me something was nice but not right for me. Serious shopping is hard work!

Vacation Photos - From Little Rock to Branson

This is a photo Jerry took of my Dad & me outside a Kroger's store in Little Rock. I thought the display was lovely and it explained to Jerry why I am so obsessed wth seasonal decorations - seemed all of Arkansas was decked out with pumpkins, mums, & scarecrows! This was taken the evening we spent in Little Rock before departing for Bransont he next morning.

We had a lovely drive through the Ozarks. Here is a photo of the woods. Quite different than all the evergreens of the Pacific Northwest!

Here's a closeup of the beautiful leaves and acorns that were calling it "fall" LOL. We were a little early for the full-on color change but we did see it's beginnings.

I typically avoid "roadside attractions" but we kept seeing this sign for an Arkansas Natural Bridge that I just couldn't pass up all in the spirit of a leisurly trip.

This was the visitor's center for the park. I dreamt about living in a small cabin in the mountains that night.

The second cabin in the park was used as a mini museum with old tools, kitchen ware, etc. The photo is of a REAL still (no longer in use) under the house.

Dad & Jerry by one of several large stone orbs. Not sure if these were natural or not.



Me in front of beautiful foliage. I wanted to stand futher away from the tree but Jerry kept insisting closer and closer until I finally stepped into a spider web! I slapped my head over and over to get the web and it's occupants out of my hair.

Final photo of Dad on the path to the bridge. Impressive rocks.