Monthly Archives: December 2015

Holiday Greeting 2016

We love the sunrises over Grand Traverse Bay

We love the sunrises over Grand Traverse Bay

This is Jan's Color...for sure!

This is Jan’s Color…for sure!

Love those early morning walks on the beach

Love those early morning walks on the beach

Morning light show

Morning light show

Jan and I wish all our friends and family happy holidays from beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama. Again this year the two of us want to take time out to touch base with those important in our lives. We send our very best to everyone this very special time of the year. The plan is to change up the mode of our holiday communication by foregoing the traditional Christmas Cards this year by going digital. Our web site allows for two way communication so let us know what is up in your life.

This has been a good year for us. Life in Traverse City is still great. Our decision to spend our winters on the Alabama Gulf Coast is standing the test of time. We are getting in touch with the South and the life-style in this part of the world. The community has welcomed us in true southern style and we continue to make many new friends all the time. Of course Michigan still calls us back every spring; especially when it starts to get really warm here.

After the first of the year we finally got to take a breath after finishing up the renovation and outfitting the new digs. Once that was checked off the list, the transition to being coastal snowbirds came easily. When we arrived back in October it seemed like home right off. However once March arrives our thoughts will turn to heading north so the cycle continues.

Our summer was great enjoying our time in Northwest Michigan. There was so much to do we just ran out of time. Our late summer/early fall trip to Utah exceeded our expectations. If you have not done so, check out our web site for a blow by blow account of the trip. Right now our winter plans are on hold for at least two months or more as Larry recovers from major surgery on his shoulder two weeks ago. On that front things are looking good so it just gets down to physical therapy, patience and time.

Our travel plans are starting to take shape for 2016. On the short list are a month trip up the East coast in the spring and a two month trip to the Pacific Northwest late summer/early fall. We love to have guests so if you are near us do stop in…we always have an extra bed or two.

If you come this way you will find there is plenty to do. If you like the beach, you will find the sun, surf and sand to your liking. Everyone here takes a week off during Mardi Gras. If you like to party there is plenty to do. Last winter we made trips to the National Naval Museum (home to the Blue Angels) and the USS Alabama. If you come this way we would love to go again.

Snyder winter hang out

Snyder winter hang out

One of our winter past times -  would you believe mid 80's December

One of our winter past times – would you believe mid 80’s December

Mardi Gras is colorful...Gulf Shores has a large parade

Mardi Gras is colorful…Gulf Shores has a large parade

The Blue Angels live close by...caught this shot on a walk on the beach

The Blue Angels live close by…caught this shot on a walk on the beach

USS Alabama...Nice experience, great views

USS Alabama…Nice experience, great views

As I stated earlier, our life in Michigan moves fast. There was lots to do around the homestead. We tried to get everything on the list done but the bike trails, the sand dunes and the micro-breweries seem to call us away all too easily. It was great to get together with the Snyder’s at brother Dale’s cottage and we hope we can do it again next year. We love the yard in Michigan and wish that we could duplicate here in the south but living in Condo limits us on that front.

Rainbows over the water are always a treat...

Rainbows over the water are always a treat…

The Snyder summer gathering...

The Snyder summer gathering…

Over the summer made several trips to Sleeping Bear National Park, love that Lake Michigan color

Over the summer made several trips to Sleeping Bear National Park, love that Lake Michigan color

Still getting our hands dirty...

Still getting our hands dirty…

The flower beds always look good just about the time we decide to leave

The flower beds always look good just about the time we decide to leave

Those of you that are close to us already have heard about the new Rpod which did not work and the last minute purchase of our Airstream. By the way we love it and it was worth all the pain and agony we went through.

Our summer hang out with the ill fated Rpod in the foreground

Our summer hang out with the ill fated Rpod in the foreground

Last photo before we head out...packed and ready to rock and roll...

Last photo before we head out…packed and ready to rock and roll…

Here is a collage of photos from our trip. We loved Utah and had a great time getting there and the final leg back to the Gulf Coast in October. The side benefit of the trip was catching up with Brother John and Brother Duane along the way.

Crossing the Big MAC means we are on the road again...

Crossing the Big MAC means we are on the road again…

Our hang out on the road has wheels...photo in Zion National Park, Utah

Our hang out on the road has wheels…photo in Zion National Park, Utah

We loved the Rocky Mountain National Park...coming back down the trail

We loved the Rocky Mountain National Park…coming back down the trail

Here we are at 14,000 feet on Mt Evan, Colorado

Here we are at 14,000 feet on Mt Evan, Colorado

Rocky Mountain day hike...

Rocky Mountain day hike…

South Utah was an adventure...here we are in Temple Square in Salt Lake

South Utah was an adventure…here we are in Temple Square in Salt Lake

Dead Horse Point State Park...a favorite...love the Colorado River plus it is more fun at sunset

Dead Horse Point State Park…a favorite…love the Colorado River plus it is more fun at sunset

Adventure in Canyon Land National Park

Adventure in Canyon Land National Park

Love the red rock formation...Canyon Land

Love the red rock formation…Canyon Land

Bryce Canyon National Park is a favorite...fun Hoo Doos

Bryce Canyon National Park is a favorite…fun Hoo Doos

Bryce Canyon a must see!

Bryce Canyon a must see!

The arches and bridges were never boring to look at...

The arches and bridges were never boring to look at…

Bryce Hoo Doos...love that red rock

Bryce Hoo Doos…love that red rock

Zion National Park Patriarchs;  The peaks of Abraham - Isaac - Jacob.  Yes there is a story

Zion National Park Patriarchs; The peaks of Abraham – Isaac – Jacob. Yes there is a story

Jan top of Inspiration Point...our highest and steepest climb!

Jan top of Inspiration Point…our highest and steepest climb!

Larry on Zion Inspiration Point...had lunch and ready to head back down the trail

Larry on Zion Inspiration Point…had lunch and ready to head back down the trail

Grand Canyon...love the South Rim Trail views

Grand Canyon…love the South Rim Trail views

Mesa Verde National Park a unique experience

Mesa Verde National Park a unique experience

Santa Fe was very colorful and educational experience

Santa Fe was very colorful and educational experience

Well here we are back on the coast. Going to the beach every chance we get.

Gulf Coast sand keeps calling us....Mississippi Bay City Beach

Gulf Coast sand keeps calling us….Mississippi Bay City Beach

Status update...the black sling takes away from looking good on the beach!

Status update…the black sling takes away from looking good on the beach!

Happy Holidays to all of you as Jan and I celebrate the reason for the season!

God Bless,

Larry and Jan