2016 coming to an end

Where does the time go??  this year has slipped by so fast.  Seems like I say that every year. We had a fun year with family and friends.  We stayed pretty healthy this year with limited doctor appointments. Although it was a wet summer we enjoyed our time at home in Wisconsin.

Since we arrived in Florida the weather has had record warm temps until Dec 30 when the temp dropped considerably and very windy!  We get spoiled so easily.

We took the kayak out on the 28th.  We took a 2+ hour ride where we seen lots and lots of huge alligators, a few other kayakers and a few birds.  It was a beautiful day to be on the water, no wind, sun and warm.

Right after we returned home there was an accident on Hwy 41, someone was turning left into the campground when someone else decided to pass them on the left.  Luckily no one was injured.  Florida law states that the person turning has to clear their mirrors before turning so they got the ticket.

We headed to Marco Island on the 29th, spent a bit of time on the beach.  we walked across the pond to get to the Gulf.

then took the kayak out for a spin.

fun day in Marco

Fri Dec 30: cold front finally comes south.  we woke up to temps in the high 50's, todays high was about 68!  Good day for shopping and oil change on the truck.  we were able to get out walking in a local park before heading back to camp.

Dec 31, 2016  woke to temp at 45 outside, 56 inside!  Had to put the furnace on for the first time in at last 6 weeks.  We had to wear winter coats for our morning walk.

We took a short hike on the Florida Trail, only about 1/2 mile.  Our weather turned warm, about 75 and sunny.

we gathered with the volunteers for a New Years Eve celebration

Alex grilled the shrimp

Eric served the Champange at 7:00 pm..  none of us stay up late!

Happy New Year!

Bird Count: life list at 556, we gained 32 new birds this year.  this year we came in at 327 and December came in at 131.  It makes a big difference when we go to different areas of the country, spending two years in south Florida limited our count.  We still have a lot of new birds to get in 2017, even here in south Florida.