Claire McManus

Gruxy

Claire McManus

RETIRED and loving it,
Terry enjoying travel again, thank the Lord



North America » Canada » Ontario » Ottawa March 6th 2014

Home safe and sound. It is nice to be home! Thank you all for your hospitality, friendship and support.... read more
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Long drive, more than halfway home... read more


We seperated today. Larry and Terry went to the car museum, Costco and Big Buy. Vicki and I went to the Art museum and saw the Appalachian Ballads paintings, of course Vicki, the trivia queen, knew those and recited as we toured, lovely. Also a really interesting textiles exhibit. Then, we drove the Historic section of Pawley Island where we saw marshes and many boardwalks with gazebos on the grass/mudflats. The boys bought dinner, so after our lunch at Cracker Barrel, we are happy to stay in. Pool next! I have added a few pictures of the Patricia Grand's interior/exterior central corridor, impressive!... read more
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So yes, we are still taking advantage of Larry and Vicki's hospitality as winter will not give up on the eastern seaboard. Lovely day yesterday, drive south of home along the mud flats; pool and hot tub in the afternoon and lovely dinner at the Texas Roadhouse with Connie the waitress. There are 5 pools in this buildings: 2 very HOT tubs, one very warm tub, a lovely tepid pool and Terry's favorite, the lazy river. Picture Terry lying on 2 floating tires going slowly around an extended o shape pool with slow current, going around and around, then having fallen asleep, he kept going aound and around! Until a couple hit him gently and he went a.. over teakettle into 2 1/2 feet of water! A good laugh was had by all. Overcast and raining ... read more
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...and loving it Terry and Larry went fishing yesterday, they caught sea bass and shark which they brought home and cooked for dinner, very nice, once! Vicki and I went shopping for essentials and stopped in at the " nothing over 5.99$" shop; very upsetting because in small print, which I did not see right away, was in a select section. So, junk ranged from a dollar to ....., I bought nothing. Terry was tired after fishing, so we stayed home and watched the Academy awards, tonight, steak house dinner for Vicki. We are toying with going to Murrells Inlet, SC for a seafood lunch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNfZ2moUzBo... read more

North America March 2nd 2014

Yesterday, T and I drove 10 to 5 from StAugustine, Jacksonville, past Savannah and Charleston to Myrtle Beach. Arrived after them last night, snacks and leftovers for dinner. BEAUTIFUL, balcony on the 11th, facing the Atlantic We had a great sleep on a Murphy bed and the guys have gone deep sea fishing. V and I will explore the town. I will post again tonight to show our fish dinner! Ps, Diane, the smile is for you, Terry's muscles still hurt.... read more
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Long day We left the Draytons midmorning and Dawn showed us their lovely golf, tennis and country club; the buildings reminded me of upscale Caribean resorts where inside and outside meld into a seamless transition. Just beautiful. We drove first to the old Cypress Garden location, where we drove the parking lot of the new Legoland. Then, off to the Blue Spring State Park to see Manatee. Blue Spring State Park, Orange City - Blue Spring State Park gets my vote for the best "no boat needed" manatee viewing location. During manatee season, the spring run is closed -- but there are several overlooks and boardwalks along the way. Make a day of exploring the park and watching the manatees. Bring your camera because there are great pictures to be taken and memories to be made. ... read more
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North America » United States » Florida » Bonita Springs February 27th 2014

We have spent a lovely 24 hrs in this western area of south Florida. We arrived late last night to a lovely diner with our good friends the Draytons from Terry's Queen's University days. This morning after late coffee in the lanai, Dawn took us around this beautiful neighbourhood. We then left on our own to go exploring: we saw the beach off Naples, the Old Naples town, all gentrified and again had a nice meal there. We visited Costco and Trader Joes, got lost in some upscale mall, looking for the Apple store and came home exhausted at 6. our friends had a previous engagement, so, Terry and I are resting in the cool lanai, enjoying their gorgeous home. Off tomorrow, maybe to Blue Spring Manatee Park and eventually to meet up with Larry and ... read more
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