Ice Cream Party

Saturday in Ponte Vedra was a perfect ending to a long road trip. We arrived at 2:30pm with Harry and Linda warming up after 18 holes in very windy conditions. We got to catch up with them while sitting on the Lanai...we had lots to say. Our trip was so wonderful, everything that I had dreamed of and more. It never sounds as exciting or beautiful when you re-tell the stories. We did our best. Went to Sticky Fingers to eat...yummy. After returning to Saw Grass, Hal and I gave Linda a tutorial on the transfer of her digital camera pictures to the computer and e-mailing them to whomever. She is a terrific student. After the lesson we had a ice cream party, took some self portraits (above) and laughed so much my stomach hurt.

After a restful sleep, we ate a quick bite and took our bikes for a spin to the beach where we parked them and took a walk. It is a beautiful spring morning, the birds are beginning to chatter and the air is clear and cool. We will be home this evening..this has been the best time of my life.

Homeward Bound

I must say that this honeymoon has been nonstop! It has been one long and steady stream of fun. We have taken advantage of all of the opportunities and activities that we planned and even added a few. Today, we left Key West at 8:45 and began the 154 mile drive to Miami. It was a beautiful day and we had the top down on the Jeep as usual. We made great time with only one stop in Islamorada to shop for gifts. We checked into the Hotel at 1:30 and after unloading our luggage and bikes from the Jeep (a ritual that we have become good at!), we were off to South Beach for some sightseeing and shopping. Believe me, we had plenty of both. Today was much different than our trip to South Beach last Saturday night...a lot fewer Spring Breakers today. Brenda was overwhelmed in a good way with the stores that were there for her to browse. It was like being on Rodeo Drive. After some serious browsing, we stopped in to a quaint Cuban Restaurant and sat at the lunch counter. Brenda and I thought this was the best Black Bean Soup that we have had to date. After our snack, we walked about 12 blocks to the Linclon Drive Shopping District. On the way, we stopped into a Tattoo Parlor and were able to watch people getting tattooed. They all but invited us in to watch and ask questions. This was a first for both of us. Very interesting, too. We also walked down Espanola Way, which is a historic Spainish Village - see pics of Brenda above. When we finished taking in the stores at Lincoln Drive, we headed back to Coconut Grove to eat Sushi at "our" Sushi Restaurant. We have kind of adopted Coconut Grove as our home while in Miami. Such a great place!

Mile 0 You Ask?

It's Thursday, day seven of our trip. I honestly feel like we've driven to the end of the earth. When you drive to mile marker 0, there is no more...nada...no more. That is the weirdest feeling, especially because they closed the 7 mile bridge last night at 8pm and didn't re-open it until 6am. We were on the Key West cruise ship, no way to get off.

Key West has a carnival like feel to it. A great place to visit, I wouldn't want to live here. There are a lot of homeless/street people here. Either out of necessity, most likely out of choice. Hal said most of them choose this life to be nonconformists, plus most are mentally ill. We got suckered by one of them, Hal gave him 5 bucks...He loves everyone. I do too, however; they kinda' scare me.

Coconut Grove, Miami will be our last night in South Florida. I really liked Coconut Grove. We found a great gym, pic above. Great environment for working out, pictures of Shaq plastered all over the place. I guess if it's your gym, you can put your face anywhere you want. Loved the gym. Funny thing happened right after we had worked out. We walked across the street to do some window shopping and heard a bunch of people yelling "24 Hour Fitness discriminates against fat people!" We then followed the noise and right in front of the gym was about 15 people picketing the gym. Only in Miami!

A word to my girl...Mom will be home Sunday late. More later, the closer we get to home.

The Eagle Has Landed...

Today, Brenda and I reached our ultimate Honeymoon destination, Key West! We left Key Largo at 8:30 this morning after another superb breakfast at the Treetop Restaurant. We really enjoyed our time there. We were very excited to begin our journey down A1A all the way to Mile Marker 0! We had a great ride all the way, listening to Bluegrass music with the top down on the Jeep. We drove straight to downtown Key West and began our exploration of Duval Street (Duval Street is to Key West what Bourbon Street is to New Orleans). We had a great time walking in and out of all of the shops...most were the typical tourist traps with 2 for $10 T Shirts, but there were also some unique shops, including some nice art galleries in which we spent some time. Kinda funny, there was a Banana Republic right on Duval Street...on the way out of the store we were laughing hysterically that we had to go in BR while in Key West. We had a recommendation from a friend of Brenda's of a great Cuban Restaurant called PePe's, and we made our way there for lunch. Like everything else in Key West, the atmosphere was so laid back that were hardly annoyed by our absolutely fabulous waiter that just loved to hear himself talk (he was absolutely fabulous, darling). We had some good Cuban food and then headed back to check in to the Doubletree Resort. We managed a quick turnaround and were back Downtown for appetizers and people watching on the deck right on Duval Street at Hardrock Cafe. Everything was great. Next we headed down to Mallory Square for Sunset and all of the Street Theatre that we have heard so much about. Needless to say, we were not disappointed. We saw a juggler that juggled big sharp knives and stuff that was on fire. But the best part of his act was the two dogs that he worked into the show. They had hats on! See picture of Brenda above. This guy was really a great showman and he probably makes a pretty good living. It was getting dark and we decided to ride bikes past Hemingway's house and then head back to the room. We will have an early morning tomorrow on the bikes as we explore Old Town Key West. Y'all come back now, ya hear?

Anticipating Sunset...

Hal and I are seated at the Islemorada Fish House, waiting for sunset which is 20 minutes away. Our table is the best in the house...perfect view of sunset and a front row seat for the Tarpon and Shark feeding.

We had another great day. We drove to Coral Reef High School at MM 90 and off loaded our bikes. I got on the web and found a great little run along the old hwy adjacent to A1A. The temperature was perfect for a 16 mile ride and several stops along the way. We rode through Plantation Key, Windley Key and Upper and Lower Matacumbe Keys. It was a pretty strenuous ride given the head wind, traffic and rising temps. After our return to the Jeep we headed straight back to the Resort for a nap at the pool. This is the life!

After several hours at the pool we hit the gym for a quick workout, then we took a stroll down the nature trail that is on the Key Largo Resort property. We decided that next time we definitely needed a hammock. Hal has avoided a definite butt whipping at ping pong as we are leaving tomorrow and there is conveniently no more time.

Dinner was perfect for our last night at Key Largo. We had a wonderful view of sunset from our table as the Tiki torches created the perfect atmosphere. We had alligator, chips and spinach queso and Dolphin as our main course. We are off to Key West early tomorrow. More later...

Just do it...Move to the Keys!

Brenda and I have been dreaming about our perfect honeymoon ever since we became officially engaged way back in August. I must say that we are pulling it off magnificently. Yes, we brought our lifestyle right along with us and have been applying it everyday. We were on the bikes today riding South on A1A, and the great thing about that is that there is a nice bike path off the side of the road. Brenda was leading the way and established a comfortable pace for us. When we made it to Mile Marker 95, we pulled in to Key Lime Products. See our picture on the left. We took a little time to check out the local tourist stuff, but resisted the temptation to buy several "irresistible" little items (OK, we have been hit with the Key Largo lifestyle). We rode a total of eight miles and headed back to the pool for a couple of hours before we hit the dock to go on a three hour trip (sing it now, a three hour trip!, Remember Gilligan's Island?). We had a 25 minute ride out to the reef and had nice conversations with several guests that are also staying at the Key Largo Beach Club. Once we arrived, we were instructed on the dangers of snorkeling by a crusty old Boat Captain... Once we were in the water, it took me a minute to perfect my technique...Brenda was off to the races. I learned to just go with the flow of the water and enjoy the beautiful world below us. Somehow Brenda found me about 30 minutes into the session...I was so happy to see her and we continued to enjoy the reef together. We saw fish of every color and it was just like a beautiful aquarium. We saw some scary Barracuda, it is a good thing that we did not know they were Barracuda! Lastly, we were fortunate that we used wet suits because we were so cold on the way back to the dock. We proceeded to Winn Dixie and bought some food to eat in tonight. There you have it! See you tomorrow, y'all!

Destination Key Largo

I must say, my senses are on overload. Left is the view coming over the bridge approaching Key Largo from Miami. The water is an Art Deco blue, the architecture is low lying island style. No high rises here. We drove in on US 1 from Miami. It is warm here, I no longer have any recollection of the cold wet Tennessee climate.

Top left is the view from our 1st floor waters edge room. As I blog, my eyes see trees indigenous to the rain forest, a Tiki Hut and our very own pet squirrel. He (or she) walked right up to my feet.

There are bike paths all along the islands roadways, a long bike ride is about to be had. Later, we are taking an afternoon snorkeling trip. There will be three stops, one will be to the statue of Jesus in 12 feet of water. Don't know if I can dive 12 feet, however; I will make an attempt to kiss the feet of Jesus.

The Conch

I had my first conch fritter yesterday. I must say, I liked it very much. I will eat anything once, I will eat this again! The texture is very chewy, kind of like squid but much smaller bites. Steamed conch sounds good, will try later.

Hole in The Wall Restuarants

No name brand restuarants in Key Largo. Dinner was at Snappers. A local saloon and raw bar with live music. No alcohol or raw oysters for us, however; we took in the awesome live music at waters edge. Tiki torches lit the boardwalk, as we sat at the most perfect round table. Constant tropical breezes, as we enjoyed Dolphin with Hal's favorite sides, brocolli and sweet potato. The bread was yummy and the salad was so fresh. Our waiter, a Cuban local boy gave us the low down on his favorite snorkeling trip to Penne Kamp State Park. Nice guy, good tip!

Breakfast at the Hilton Key Largo Resort is the bomb! Hal and I feasted on fresh local fruit, shots of some kind of fruit puree, eggs, cheeses and my favorite; Raisan Bran. Hal is in heaven with all of the Starbucks coffee you can drink as I sniff the aroma and remember the days when I could enjoy it too.

More later from paradise...

How Sweet It Is to be Loved by You...

Brenda and I arrived in Miami (Coconut Grove) last night at about 7:00. We stopped to eat lunch and check out an outlet mall in Orlando for about an hour. After unloading the car and bikes, we took the 1/2 mile ride down to Coco Walk at about 8:30. Although we were both so tired from the long drive and big wedding day, our senses were immediately awakened as we parked the car. Coco Walk is a mix of Restauraunts, Retail, Starbucks, Dance clubs, and Art Galleries. There was so much neon and the whole place was so vibrant. The old trees hung over the street with moss on the limbs and cracked sidewalks. This place is Virginia Highlands x 100. Brenda said with excitement, "I can't wait to ride bikes down here tomorrow". We found a great place to eat called Jaguar...such a cool place! We had a 20 minute wait and the people watching was very entertaining. The menu showcased diverse Latin American tastes...really good stuff! We made it back to the hotel (which is so perfect) to recharge. More to follow from Coconut Grove...

On The Road

(Hal here)

We didn't quite make it to Valdosta last night, however; we did make it to Tifton, about 40 miles shy. On the way down, Brenda and I reflected on our wedding day. Both of us agreed that it was a wonderful and memorable day. The Chalet Mountain Chapel was everything that we wanted it to be. Leilani was sick and couldn't sing, but we had a back up plan. Rascal Flatts...as I waited at the altar with the minister in front of our families. I waited with much anticipation, as Brenda arrived at the front door of the chapel. In what seemed like a few minutes, the doors opened and Brenda walked into the chapel while Joe Cocker sang You Are So Beautiful. Indeed, she was so beautiful. Brenda gave roses to her mom and my mom while coming down the isle, and met me at the altar. Our ceremony was short yet beautiful, we can't wait to see the proofs of our wedding pictures.

We preceded down the mountain to Cherokee Grill, where we had a wonderful private room to share with our families. The Cherokee Grill offered such a comfortable setting in which to enjoy each others company and enjoy a great meal. Brenda and I did not want the day to end. We were truly blessed

We listened to Bluegrass and Old 80's tunes all the way to Tifton GA, on Syrius radio. After a short rest, we are now back on the road, looking for some great outlets. More later...

Captivating

Why do little girls love to dress up in twirling skirts? Why do they dream of a day their prince will come and together they will live in a great adventure? Because that is the heart of God set within every woman.

Then the time came when the risk it took
To remain tight in a bud was more painful
Than the risk it took to bloom
-Anais Nin

Today March 12, 2009, I will bloom. And the risk is my pleasure to take. How honored I am to marry a man like Hal White!

Dad and Me

Some things never change. My nose and Dad's love for me.

Natalie

The love of Hal's life

Elijah Jones

A little prince

Leilani The Beautiful

What a wonderful woman and mother. I am so honored that she is my daughter!!

Andrew Jones

A man before his time

Jacob Jones

Driving Dad's Jeep with the "Jacob Smile"

The loves of my life

I am so very proud of Seth and the man that he has become. His character and strong faith in God is so evident in his daily walk. Jennifer is so beautiful inside and out. She is a mirror of God's grace and mercy.

The Engagement

We met on January 26 2008 at Tony's Pasta. I knew that there was something different about Hal from the time I laid my eyes on him. There was a kindness about him, when he talked about his family, when he pulled my chair out for me and especially when he talked about Natalie. You can determine the condition of a mans heart by how he treats his mother. Hal loves his mother and honors her in so many ways. I knew that he was for me when I saw him interact with her.

It was July when we began talking about marriage. Logistics was going to be a challenge, however; we worked it out. I love Atlanta, Hal loves Cleveland; we would live both places.

On a very hot and humid Monday, Hal drove to Cleveland and picked me up from work, he said, "Be ready to ride" which meant we were going to ride our bikes on the River Walk in Chattanooga. I didn't have a clue what he was up to. It was hot that day, we rode to the dam and started back. Hal got in front of me, I thought he was mad at me. Hmmmm, what did I do? We were rounding a curve, when I had him in sight, he was leaning over his bike in the grass. I stopped and ask him what was wrong. Hal said, I don't know Bren, come over here and help me. I laid my bike down and went over to his bike, he was on his knee...he then turned and faced me and dug a ring out of his pocket. When I saw it and realized what was happening I couldn't breathe and started shaking all over. I was soaked in sweat, dirt all over my hands and crying. There was a bench to our left, I had to sit down and get myself together. Hal ask me to marry him on that day and I will never forget every tiny little detail. I later learned that Hal had already driven to Huntsville the week before and told my brother. He also talked to my dad and gotten his blessing.

This is a chronicle of our life and adventures from this day forward.