Dave's Granparents live in a retirement community/town called The Villages. About 75,000 people live there and they plan on expanding to 100,000 people. Currently there are 2 town centers, one Spanish style and the other Cape Cod style, that have shops, a town square, movie theatre, etc. The whole area is intertwined with country clubs, golf courses, community centers, and pools and I am pretty sure that most everyone owns a golf cart and maybe even one car. Golf carts even have their own lane on the roads with special signs and parking to remind those who aren't from the area that golf carts are everywhere. We had a wonderful time visiting Mimi & Papa (and their dog Meggie), going bowling, to the movies, listening to live music, riding in their golf cart, and eating yummy food!
Clearwater Beach, Gulf of Mexico:
This beach is located near Tampa, FL. It has beautiful white sand beaches and is set up as a small tourist resort town that consists of 3 small islands connected by very large bridges. It was so beautiful and we just happened to find a public park/beach area that didn't have very many people on it!
Cocoa Beach, Atlantic Ocean:
Cocoa Beach is near the Kennedy Space Center and an airforce base. The beach was just packed with people trying to catch the shuttle launch (which was cancelled due to thunderstorms). We were suprised at how warm the water was and how far people could walk out on the shore without putting their head underwater. Again, another beautiful, white sandy beach!
Orlando...Airboat ride, Epcot Center Disney World, CityWalk Universal Studios:
If you every have the chance to go on an airboat ride, take a ride! It was so unique and we were able to see some baby alligators along with other wildlife of Florida. The pictures of the alligators below were taken on the shore before we went on our ride...funny that the fenced in alligator area was located next to the children's playtoy area...hmmm.
Disney World's Epcot Center was very entertaining and full of things to explore! We really enjoyed all of the rides and activities and just happen to pick the right places to visit and the right time, we barely had to wait 15 minutes for any of the rides!!! I also only had to wait 3 minutes to get my picture with Pooh and the gang...made me feel like I was 5 years old again! We stayed to watch the fireworks and light show at closing which was for sure worth the wait!!!
We also went to CityWalk which is the shopping/food part just outside of the Universal Studios gate. We walked through the shops and stopped to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe! Afterwards, we went back to our hotel to swim and lay in the sun before packing our bags for the flight home. A WONDERFUL trip and much needed relaxation time together!!!
