Newport, Rhode Island

We headed out this morning with the intent of getting some exercise on the Cliff Walk.  It's a 3 1/2 mile walk (one way), with some beautiful views.  The ocean on one side and mansions of the rich and famous on the other.

I think this would look great at the top of our driveway....modest, right?  This is actually one of the entrances to the "Breakers", once owned by the Vanderbilt family, now owned by the Preservation Society.

It is foggy here, so unfortunately there was no view, but at least it's not raining.

Come on lottery....

We didn't get very far and found this...  rotten! 

But it was still nice.

This was on the side of one of the Salve Regina University buildings.  "but I, being poor, have only my dreams."  Kind of ironic, we thought...

Since it was right next to this...  This was a private home, but is now a University building.

 

Not sure who owned this one...

I thought we had some nice looking stone work, maybe we can work one of these in somewhere!

We stopped by Fort Adams but the tours weren't running at the time. The original fort was built in 1799 then redesigned and this larger fort was built in 1841.

Lunch at the Atlantic Beach Club.... olives, bread and olive oil, clam chowder and a stuffed quahog to start.

Back on base... this is the USS Saratoga (CV-60) or "Sorry Sara" as she was know.  Originally commissioned in 1956 and decommissioned in 1994, she has been here ever since.  In her day, she carried a crew of 5,540 men and between 70 and 90 aircraft.  If you can believe it with 20 years (and one week) in the Navy, I have no sea time. Stu however has been on more than he can remember, including this one. He actually designed the CHT (collection, holding and transfer) system on the "Sara".

 On our way up to Maine tomorrow for the weekend.

Here We Go Again!

We are on the road again!  This time we are currently in Newport, Rhode Island.  The flight up yesterday was nice and easy (for a change!), early but easy.  Newport is my old stomping grounds, I was stationed here at the Naval Station Newport for a total of 7 years, but haven't been here since 2009.  I'm excited to get out and run around town today, I love it here!  Pictures to follow...

Home Again, Home Again...

Our trip has come to an end.  We are still trying to figure out why we came back so soon...  Next year, we are looking to head south Jan, Feb and Mar (and maybe some of April).  Tampa was awesome, can't wait to get back!

So Sad....

Sadly, we left Tampa this morning.  If we hadn't had three other campgrounds line up already we would have stayed.  Next year we will be here longer!

Our last night and our last Groupon...the Vizcaya Restaurante and Tapas Bar, if you are even close to Tampa you have to go!  The food was amazing! 

As was the sangria!

We pulled into the Grassy Pond Recreation Area this afternoon.  It is just south of Valdosta, GA and about a 4ish hour drive.  

Community fire pit, with cut wood stacked and ready to go.

The new shower house/laundry and community center, it will be opening soon.

Spanish moss everywhere! 

As the name suggests, it's right on a big pond.

A little chilly today, but enjoying the sun!

Stu being silly...as usual!

They have fishing and boat rentals.

And of course ducks...

Only here for one night, tomorrow we are off to Robins Air Force Base just outside of Macon, GA.

The Sox Do It Again...

Lose that is!  They lost to the Toronto Blue Jays today, 1-0.  We were hearing that the game was sold out as we were standing in line at the box office, but had no problem getting tickets.  We still haven't decided if that was a good thing or not...

How about that??!!

Another beautiful day, sunny this time but we were prepared.

It did start to cloud up and we did get some sprinkles on the way home.  So far we have gotten pretty lucky with the weather!

Brock Holt, 2nd base, at bat...uneventful.

Drew Sutton, 3rd base...the same.

The Toronto Blue Jay.

Here he is working the crowd. 

After the game we headed down to Ybor City, a historic section of Tampa for dinner. If you all haven't used Groupon, Living Social or Half off depot yet, you have to check it out! We have gotten some really great deals on dining and have been to some really cool areas of town that we probably wouldn't have seen otherwise.  Not to mention some really awesome food! 

We are taking tomorrow off from baseball to switch to NCAA Basketball and do a little shopping.

So as I was finishing this post up yesterday, talking about how lucky we've been with the weather.  Well, a thunderstorm came through and we lost power for a couple of hours, which is why I'm posting late...

Stupid Yankees...

Off to watch the Yankees and the Red Sox....  Oh why do I do it!  If you didn't watch the game, and I don't blame you if you didn't, they lost.  Yankees 4, Red Sox 0.

We had rain predicted starting at two (the game started at one), but again it held off.  Actually it just started to rain (it's 6:30 pm), so a cloudy day at the ball field.  

Which is a good thing considering we are both sheet white, we would probably be very lobster-like right now!

John Kruk

Orel Hershiser

Warming up for the commentary.

Buster Olney interviewing Jackie Bradley Jr. (I think).

Kevin Youkilis warming up.

Jose Iglesias warming up.

We had great seats, right behind the Red Sox dugout.

Pitching for the Red Sox, Felix Doubront.

No mistaking that stance... "Youk" at bat.

Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain.

In action...

Right next to Steinbrenner field...  Home of the Buccaners.

Back at "home", another walk around, with camera this time....

They have their own marina, boat rentals and charters. 

The Sea Scapes club at the end of the boardwalk.

A beautiful beach, even without sun.

Toes in the sand...

The tiki bar at the club.

We just may have to come back here next year! 

Tomorrow we are planning to go back to see the Yankees play the Twins.  It is supposed to be sunny and 68...Awesome!

Greetings From Tampa!

Wow, have we been getting lucky with the weather!  We have had rain and severe thunder storms in the forecast for the past three days, but have had some really beautiful days and barely a sprinkle.  I know... I have already knocked on the faux wood next to me...

This was just before we left Jax this morning.   

It was smooth sailing down to Tampa and have settled into the Raccoon Creek Recreation Area on MacDill Air Force Base.  So far it seems to be a great place, we took a walk but I forgot my camera, so pictures to follow...

And, we got our wish about warm weather!  We are going to watch the Red Sox hopefully not lose to the Yankees tomorrow.  There is rain in the forecast again so wish us luck!