Jan 5, 2017 was my last day of work at Merck. We decided that since both girls were living in California, we would retire early and move back to the Midwest, to be closer to our parents. Meg was at UC Berkeley working on her Masters in Architecture and Elaine had just graduated from NYU with her Masters in Occupational Therapy and was moving in with Ian in Laguna Beach. Our first retirement trip would be a camping trip to Florida. We found 2 nights at Long Pine Key State Park in the Keys and booked a trip around those January dates.
last day at Merck!
Clinical Building
Champagne!
Happy Retirement!!!!!
Friday, Jan 27, 2017 - We left for Florida today and stopped in Greensboro NC to visit John & Regina Lindsay.
Saturday Jan 28, 2017 - Our first stop in Florida was Anastasia State Park. It was a long drive from Greensboro (7.5 hrs). We got in after dark and cooked by flashlight.
Our old tent that we have used over the years while camping at Lake George. Site # 3
We brought our 2 single kayaks and set the cooking box up, right inside the sliding door, with the cooler underneath
Dinner using the toaster oven and electric fry pan. While we were eating dinner a raccoon hopped into the other side of the van and helped himself to a loaf of bread.
Sunday Jan 29, 2017 - Today we got the kayaks out and went for a paddle. In the afternoon we drove the short drive into St Augustine. We did a tour of the fort and walked around town
A cloudy morning
a nice morning for a paddle
Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine
Monday Jan 30, 2017 - It was a 6 hour and 45 minute drive to Long Key State Park, where we have 2 nights reserved in the campground.
pancakes for breakfast before leaving for Long Key SP
The Overseas Highway in the Keys
Our Campsite on the water - Site # 36
sunset walk along the beach
sunset
dinner at the picnic table
Tuesday Jan 31, 2017 - Today we did a hike and a kayak through the mangroves.
happy hikers
grilled cheese for lunch
and a bike ride from Long Key to Conch Key
We had a beer at the Conch Key Marina
and enjoyed watching the pelicans try to share this tree, which seemed too small for all of them
It was a nice 10 mile round trip bike ride, with a separate bridge just for bikes and fishing
someone needs a quick nap before dinner
good night
Wednesday Feb 1, 2017 - It's only an hour and a half drive to Key West, so we left early to get a full day of Key West in. We have a hotel in Key West for the night.
It's a nice view to wake up to
sun's up and so is Kev!
Our van organization
We're packed up and ready to go
We rode our bikes to the southern most point in the continental US
We made it to Duval St
stopped for some beers and lunch
Sunset at Mallory Square
along with everyone else!
Tuesday Feb 2, 2017 - Today we're headed out of the Keys. We have 2 nights booked at Johnathon Dickinson State Park, a 5 hour drive from here.
We walked to the lighthouse before leaving for Johnathon Dickinson SP
I waited on the front porch while Kevin checked out
Nice bike trail at Johnathon Dickinson SP
Campsite 110
Wednesday Feb 3, 2017 - Today we signed up for a ranger led kayak and went for a bike ride. We were supposed to stop at Skidaway Island State Park outside of Savannah, GA for a few days, but we decided to head straight home to finish getting our house ready to put on the market.
nice day for a kayak
resting at the campsite before we head home
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