Thursday, January 18 - Look at that date! January is more than half-over, which is good to consider, although the time seems to march along at too great a rate. It feels like January here, as we are in another cold stretch. Temp this morning was 31, and will go to at least that tonight. Like one guy I met while on the way to the garbage bins said, "Which way to Florida?"

Snow in Alabama and Georgia today, and there was an accident on one of the near-by highways because of icy roads. This explains why we're still in the Port Richie area. We had planned to go to the Panhandle earlier this week, but when we saw that the temp would be in the low 20s in Tallahassee for a couple of nights, we decided to stay here until tomorrow.

We have had some good days, however, so we aren't complaining. I gave Gail a couple of days off while I went biking, doing 50 kilometers both days, enjoying the Sun Coast Trail after biking through the Starkey Park mentioned in a previous posting. Then we went to Tarpon Springs on Tuesday, and found the staring point of the Pinellas Trail, which goes all the way to the other side of Tampa. We did 20 kms out, then back for a very enjoyable ride. Weather was pretty good all three days.

Then it got cold, so yesterday and today were shopping and walking days, although after shopping today we went back to the park and did the 13 mile return trip in the cold. Once we got rolling it was quite all right, and felt good to get some exercise. All in all, this old guy did about 220 kms during the past week. Keep in mind that this is all flat country, so it's not nearly as difficult as it would be at home. Gail calls herself a Florida cyclist, as she likes the flatness, and zips along very well. I can hardly keep up with her when she gets going.

Tomorrow we are heading to Cedar Key for one night, then on to St. Joseph's State Park, located on a sandy spit near Port St. Joe's in the Panhandle. Sister Marilyn has now confirmed she will meet us in New Orleans on the 27th, so we have a week to poke along until we meet her. Looking forward to showing her around the Crescent City.

That's about it for now. We've enjoyed our stay at Orchid Lake, but it's time to move on. We think of all of you who are dealing with the ups and downs of this crazy winter. You know it's crazy when our favorite dog, Dodger MacKay, is forced to wear booties when he goes outside. Who'd have believed it?

More later. Stay tuned.