Picture Retirement
retired from work, not life
Travel the World
When we were working, our vacation destinations were highly predictable – anywhere in the US or the Islands that could be reached within two to four hours by plane. Typically we chose a resort in the Caribbean, a ski village in Colorado or a visit to Mickey’s house in Orlando. We could never be away for more than nine days (constraints of business ownership) so it was important not to use precious time getting there. We also did not have the luxury of time to plan and execute a vacation that included multiple destinations and intricate details. Vacations were expressly for relaxing and having family fun, which meant one destination, one hotel and built-in activities. Everything changed when we sold our business and retired.
For the first time in our lives, we could go beyond a one week vacation and really travel. We took our first trip abroad when our daughter was sixteen and on summer vacation. That was the beginning of a love affair that will never fade. Malcolm took months to arrange travel plans that included planes, trains, automobiles and several hotel reservations. We traveled for a month throughout France and Italy and packed our bags for departure every fourth day. It was an ambitious and aggressive trip. He made some rookie mistakes, but we had one of the most memorable trips of our lives, and we learned how to travel. Read More
Treasure Hunting
We love to ride our bikes and take them almost everywhere we go. We notice things more acutely and feel more connected with nature when we are riding . After a while, we actually start to consciously look for things that are unusual and photo worthy. The ride becomes a treasure hunt.
Last year we were riding on Jupiter Island when we noticed a small trail just off the road. It was one of those perfect days when the sun is bright, the temperature is in the low 70’s and all is right with the world. Read More
Stack It Up
There is something intriguing about stacked food. The visual aspect is appealing since most stacks are colorful, but sometimes it is the combination of textures that make it interesting. We have several recipes for stacks that include eggplant, beets, tomatoes, fruit and cheese. Today we are featuring a nectarine and fried cheese stack that is not only pleasing to the eye, it is also very delicious.
We purchased a processed mozzarella cheese since it is dense and will hold up well when heated. Fresh mozzarella is great for a Caprese salad, (sliced beefsteak tomatoes, basil and cheese) but I would not recommend it for this dish, unless you don’t mind it looking a bit messy. Read More
Natural Beauty
South Florida Beaches are stunning, and we are lucky to be within twenty minutes of a real beauty. Hutchinson Island, just over the causeway from Stuart, Florida is our favorite place to take photographs or just hang out for a while. Being retired makes it easy to be spontaneous, so we are likely to drive out to the beach at any time of day. The conditions are always unique and our photographs typically reflect the experience. Read More
Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson
Since we do not have a road trip planned this month, I thought we would show you the one we took in February, 2016 to Key West and the Dry Tortugas National Park.
Visiting the Dry Tortugas National Park has long been on my bucket list. Malcolm was not as enthralled as I about taking the 70 mile ferry ride from Key West to the park, but he finally acquiesced and we booked the trip. Read More
