12 Days on the Beach- and my New Raccoon Family

Hi, gang!  As Dom is getting along so well, I felt comfortable enough to head to PCB for 12 days. 

I was joined by a Tennessee girlfriend, Patricia for about a week.  She and I lived it up with gift cards given to me for Carrabba's and Seafood Grill.  She took me to Dee's Hangout twice.  We had big fun-  hadn't seen each other for more than a year.  It goes without saying that we did Happy Hour at the LIQ across the street daily.

After she left, I spent my solitude on the beach, at the pool, and on my balcony.  Didn't even leave the condo property.

The water was AMAZING!  Some of the nicest that I've seen over the years!

Rain Shower in the Distance

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Mama Raccoon brings her 4 babies every day for a meal.  When I'm home, I'm constantly looking out the window for them.  "Good Racoon Mommy".

When I'm not here, Dom feeds them when he thinks about it.  "Bad Raccoon Daddy".

The female normally knocks on the door to alert me that they're hungry.  Apparently, she was knocking and not getting a response.  So, Dom is sitting across the room watching tv.  Our of the corner of his eye, doesn't he see feet, then finally a head climbing up the screen window in the living room!

The adorable little shit knocked out the screen!

Dom proceeded to find a squirt gun, crack the window and blast her in the face. 
"Mean Raccoon Daddy".  (Kind of amusing, though)

Mama with 1 baby a few weeks ago

All 4 babies yesterday.  Growing fast!

A Fun Three Weeks at the Beach

Just returned home from PCB yesterday.  Had a ball.

I decided to explore on the way to the condo.  Had read about "Morrison Springs" which is located about 45 miles North of PCB in Ponce De Leon.  Pretty, but not as nice as our Gulf.  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g28930-d672192-Reviews-Morrison_Springs-Florida.html

Pal Patricia came in for Labor Day, Hurricane Hermine visited and ruined a lot of holiday plans for visitors.

They have a big 3 day "Gulf Coast Jam" every year.  It was cancelled because of the weather.  The bad storms came Fri, Sat and Sun.  Double Red Beach flags were flying.  NO SWIMMING!

Patricia and I enjoyed the crystal clear water and went to The Firefly one night.
http://fireflypcb.com/

Keith and Lauren came over last week for a couple of days and a night.  We enjoyed beach time and Happy Hour at The Liq across the street.

Although Hermine didn't affect us with storms, (Patricia and I waited for her in a hot tub with no luck)there was quite a tidal surge, and the water became muddy.

On my last night, I got a couple shots of the tide "rolling in".  I'd only seen that once before.

So..... back with my dear Dom for a week or two, then back to the beach!

PCB With Patricia, Lauren and Keith

I had a lovely 10 days on the beach.  Last Thursday, my pal Patricia arrived.  We feasted on lobster tails Friday night.

We were joined by dear friends Lauren and Keith on Saturday.  Played on the beach all day and had a pizza delivered for dinner.

Went over to Beach Package (now called "The LIQ") for happy hour and stocked up on 30 packs of beer.  Only $15 each.  At that price, I couldn't afford NOT to stock up!

When we headed back to the condo, Keith made me a "Throne".  Too funny!

In the morning, we had a good breakfast and hit the beach at 9:30 in the morning.  Drank beer, played "ladder golf", and had great fun.

Lauren and Keith left late afternoon, Patricia headed out Monday morning.  (She remains my FAVORITE roommate. We're extremely compatible and I'm so happy that we've become dear friends!)

For the rest of the week, I cleaned up the condo, spent time on the beach and just "chillaxed" as my niece says.

I've got something GREAT to report-  I've been bitching and whining about the beach service chairs taking up all of the prime shoreline spots for a couple of years.  Apparently I'm not the only one.  The rental service now must move BACK to open up spots for guests.  (I'm feeling kind of smug right now).

Headed back a week from today for a couple of weeks.  Dear high school pal is flying in on Monday for a week.  Can't wait to see her!

September at the Beach

September is a lovely time to visit PCB.  The kids are back in school, the beach is uncrowded, and this year the water was spectacular.

Patricia drove down for 4 nights.  (My favorite roomate!).  Much to my delight, a lifelong hometown neighbor and family friend, Rondi came down from Colorado for a couple of nights with her husband Roy.

We had a grand time.  I had a pizza delivered one night.  Then we hung out at the beach the entire next day.  It was wonderful to be with an old Ohio pal!

I was there for a couple of weeks.  Patricia and I hit our favorites....Dee's Hangout and Los Rancheros.  For the most part, I just hung out at the beach all day, then fended for myself foodwise.  I don't like to eat out alone.

Much to my delight, pals Keith and Lauren came over to spend a night.  We did some Stouffer's lasagna in the condo, Keith sprung for happy hour across the street, then we played on the beach the next morning.  (We're getting really good at ladder-golf)

This was amusing..... the gulf was loaded with stingrays.  I had done some research on them and learned that they're harmless but curious creatures.  (Unless you step on one, as Rondi's brother did a few years ago here).

From the 22nd floor, we'd watch these critters swimming towards people.  Wait for it....wait for it.....  "AHHHHHHHHHH".  They'd run screaming out of the water.  Funny.

So.... it was a wonderful 2 weeks.  Dom and I are headed back in October.  Cannot wait!