Happy Valentine's Day

We made it out of the driveway but only because we had this Old Town canoe in which to load all our stuff!  It made a nice sled to haul heavy luggage and beach stuff to the car and helped as we had to go around fallen trees.  We loaded the canoe on the rack on the car with a thought for some canoeing in the marshes of the south.


Being the pessimists (I would actually write realists) that we are, we packed two snow shovels to take with us.


The storm followed us to Charleston where we spent two nights  and perused the streets pulling against strong and cold winds.  Spent most of our time in stores!  Then on to Savannah where we spent one night.  A morning spent on our favorite Pinkney Island preserve revealed no birds of significance.  They had abandoned all hope and like us flew to Florida.  We spent most of our drive through northern Florida in torrential downpours across the ENTIRE state.  Now finally the cold winds have joined us here as we settle near Ft. Myers in Southeast Florida.  Temps in the mid 50's C for highs.  Looks like we are not putting on swim suits or doing any beaching!!


On an optimistic note, maple trees are a beautiful deep red with their leaves just starting and marsh grasses are a purple green showing their hope for spring. I am eager to take photos once my fingers thaw.