Good friendships last much longer than good chocolate

One of the simple pleasures of returning home is catching up with long-time friends. I mean the type of friends you know you can rely on for anything, even if what you're asking for might be inconvenient; they'll do their best to help you anyway. We are fortunate to have a number of such friends.

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We're sleeping in our own bed tonight!

Greg and I arrived back in Canada today, April 17th. I have to admit, although it's been a wonderful adventure, it is nice to be home.

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Greg, are you old enough to drink beer in Tennessee?

So, today we continued our journey home from this four-month adventure. We added three more states to our list, and finally crossed back into our home time zone. We left the Florida coast (far west side of Florida), travelled up through Alabama, then cut across the north-west corner of Georgia (blink and we would have missed Georgia), and have now settled overnight in Chattanooga, Tennessee (south east corner of the state). I'm still not quite used to seeing forested land, after months of desert and sand.

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The wildlife of Okaloosa Island

Yesterday we ignored the overcast weather and went for a drive and a walk at one of the shorelines that faces into the bay from Okaloosa Island. The water is quieter there, and also has more wildlife.

Time to go home - we've run out of toothpaste!

Somewhere along this journey, Greg and I talked about how we'd decide when it would be time to head home. I said our gauge would be when we'd run out of toothpaste. My answer baffled Greg. My theory was that we left home each having a new tube of toothpaste, plus we had one travel-sized one. When they ran out, we'd go home. I was just being silly.

Sun, sand, swim, eat, sleep & repeat!

I didn't post for three days, which is the longest gap I've had on this adventure, other than when we were on the cruise. So, why the gap? Well, we slipped into a comfortable routine that didn't warrant a blog. 

Always lots of families having fun at this beach

Kids and signs say the darndest things!

We enjoyed a nice drive today, without the help of a GPS or Tripadvisor. Greg hugged the streets bordering the inland waters and we found lots of spots to take in the views. At one stop we saw lots of fish jumping high out of the water, at times maybe 10 jumping at once. Very cool.

Greg, happy to be visiting yet another air museum

Destin Harbor Boardwalk, Florida

Today we visited the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. We've passed by it a few times and seen lots of people there, so today we checked it out. Even with fewer spring-break students in town, and it being a weekday, there were still lots of people around. It was a good people-watching place.

Destin harbour

Time ... one of the benefits of retirement

We initially booked our condo for one week, which would mean we'd be leaving this coming Wednesday morning. Greg had suggested that perhaps it would be wise to stay longer, but I said I preferred to go home.

A reminder of the reason we came here

Some things are just full of wind

Another walk at the beach yesterday, just enjoying the beautiful colours of nature.

Some of life's simple pleasures

I'd like to introduce you to the two most recent members of our flock: Katy on the left and Walt on the right. They're sitting on one of the chairs on our balcony. Katy was adopted in Katy, Texas, and Walt is from here in Fort Walton, Florida.

The Emerald Coast, Florida

As a follow up to my March 29th post, about our visit with friends from our previous winter spent in Costa Rica, here's our friend's blog of our time together. At the very least, click on the link to see the lovely photos she took of us. Thanks, Sharon!

Travelling the bridge between Fort Walton and Destin.
Yes, that's white sand on the right!

Bye, bye, Louisiana

Yesterday, in my Tabasco story, I couldn't remember how many countries they shipped to from the United States. Greg remembered that it's 160; thanks Greg.

I also forgot to tell you that we were each given four free sample bottles on the tour. Check out our big collection, sitting next to our car key. Aren't they adorable!