A Lost Summer & Pandemic Pause

  Thanks to the corona virus pandemic, a summer road trip did not happen to be in 2020. I had already started to write this post a year ago but the desire wasn't there to finish it, so I will catch everyone up since the pandemic seems to coming to a conclusion in 2021.

 First we moved to a different house in February of last year. We have a nice golf course view with abundant wildlife and no neighbors behind us. 

My view of the #8 hole of the North Course:

The view from the tee box: A narrow opening to the fairway of the 285 yard par 4.

 I love the huge driveway and carport:

  There is enough space to park my trailer entirely in the driveway to prepare for trips.

  Here in Florida we got in some fun times before lockdown and even after. We were still playing golf, albeit each golfer must ride alone; no gatherings of more than 10; and of course social distancing. Our restaurant and bar had been closed except for takeout service so we all gathered under one of the large shade trees near the 18'th hole and clubhouse to divvy up our winnings (or losses in my case!). Bring your own cooler of beverages or go to the takeout window to get a pitcher of beer.

  

  Before lockdown:

Cypress Classic in March (member-guest tournament):

Bloody Mary Open on New Years Day:

 British-American Ryder Cup in October:

After lockdown:

Empty shelves at the grocery store: (except for $5/doz organic eggs)

I don't know if the gators know about social distancing:

Social distance golf cart style:

  A friend  suggested I blog about the simpler times of not long ago and it got me thinking about many good times.

A recent camping trip not too long ago with new friends: 

 A good bye party some years ago with old friends for a departing co-worker :

 At a wedding of a co-worker:

The championship bowling team:

Our annual New Year's Eve Party:

Our annual golf outing from work:

2013 U.S. Open at Merion:

The throngs following Tiger- for a practice round!:

And those dearest and oldest of friends:

Family:

As I look at some of these photos I realized we have lost many friends and family to the corona virus but that we also loose loved ones anyway.

Grandmothers:                                                         

Parents:                                                                

Aunts&Uncles:

And of course our friends:

IN MEMORIUM:

T.C >2019

Maggie>2017

Steve>2018

They were some very close friends that are no longer in my life. I also lost my cousin Bill who lived in Cleveland and Doreen's cousin's husband Tom who we always enjoyed visiting with when they came to Florida every winter.

  Now let's move on with happier thoughts and lgihter moments. As I stated earlier I started writing this post a year ago and put it on pause because there was really nothing to blog about. But we did make one camping trip locally to Crystal River on the Gulf coast.

This was in June of last year and it felt good to get away for a few days.

With the exception of this one trip and playing golf there was not a whole lot going on in 2020 so I took a part time job working here in Cypress Lakes.

Two nights a week to stay occupied and make some beer money.

Finally things are returning to normal thanks to the vaccine. 

                             

The bar and restaurant are open again:

Family from PA on vacation in Orlando:

 Lastly I am pleased to say that we will be hitting the road this year starting July 5 for a trip to Pennsylvania. We will likely spend a week at the Jersey shore and a week near Pittsburgh with extended stops upstate and thereabouts. So stay tuned and lets all have a great summer in 2021.