Back To The Land Of All Snow

Gosh, where to start?  We fled CT (otherwise known as the land of snow) on January 17th and in our two weeks in Florida we missed something like 30 inches of snow falling at home.  And there was already a good 24 inches of snow on the ground when we left.  Day two of the drive south was January 18th and Lee's birthday so when we figured out we'd be hitting Jacksonville around lunch time we decided that we'd stop for a nice lunch to celebrate the car thermometer passing 60 degrees!  Let me tell you what a difference a true smart phone makes on a long road-trip.  I can speak into the phone and see where what I'm looking for is in relation to my GPS location on a map!  We both thought of P.F. Changs at exactly the same moment and though it was a little off our planned route, we made an exception.  Snow boots off and flip-flops on for the ceremonial setting foot on Florida "soil" -- my feet, not Lee's:

 

He was so happy basking in the rays on his birthday.  But it was clearly only warm to us when the staff repeatedly asked if we were sure we wanted to eat outside.  At least we enjoyed a nice hour of sun before getting back in the car for the last 6 hours drive south (FL is sooooooo long):

We spent a few days on Marco Island relaxing from the drive and thawing out from the deep freeze that is CT this winter.  We hit the farmer's market on our first day and got lots of delicious food.  One item, a quiche, led us to Bistro Soleil for dinner, where we not only had a delicious supper, but I had the best dessert of the vacation -- beignets and chantilly cream (and this photo was taken after I already inhaled half of it!): 

 

The weather wasn't perfect, but 68 degrees and sunny felt awesome compared to the 20 and snowing we knew we were missing at home.  And the storm rolling in offered a dramatic photo op by the pool (this could be January's photo in the 2011 calendar):

 

At some point in the year since we last go down to the condo they did a good deal of cutting back and opened up our view from the living room through the lanai:

 

We met up with some friends from home who were spending a few months close to the island.  We may have been vacationing on the island for years, but they've spent far more time dining out in the relatively short period of time they've been visiting.  They recommended The Little Bar on Goodland and boy are we glad we listened:

 

We enjoyed a few more days of fantastic sunshine:

 

And wonderful meals by beautiful water (this view is from the parking lot of Lee's new favorite place the Snook Inn):

 

My mom introduced us to our favorite new place, the Silverspot Cinemas in Naples.  We had a very early dinner at the Snook Inn (above) and then slowly made our way up to the theater and had our dessert there.  Really, a pinot noir and lava cake are the most civilized way to hang out in a theater lobby that I have ever experienced: 

 

All too soon we were spending our last day in paradise.  We decided to go to the Marriott to have appetizers and watch the sunset from their beach:

 

So worth the $10 beer:

 

The two day journey home was without incident and timed perfectly to arrive home in advance of (hopefully the last) big storm.  The blizzard that hit most of the country gave us several hours of freezing rain.  It left us with a nice hard crunchy crust on top on what I can only describe as the most snow I have ever seen in the 12 years we've lived in this house.  Contemplating how I will get to the backyard to take photos: 

 

It left some really nasty bruises on my legs, but it was worth stomping through the icy crust to see just how much snow was back there.  Oh, and excuse the blue snow, but I didn't set the camera correctly for these photos: 

 

Some impressive icicles:

 

And the money shot...really look at all that snow!  I'm so glad SS1 knocked the snow off the top of the shed for me as requested while we were gone.  Not sure the roof could have taken it:

 

My footsteps in the crusty snow.  I still can't get over how much white frozen stuff there is over here:

 

More impressive icicles:

 

Do you see the planters on the upper left?  Those are the ones on the huge stump on the huge hill.  Yes, that's how high the shoveled/plowed snow berms are now:

 

This is a view that should be pretty familiar to you, if it weren't for the several feet of snow:

 

This is a view of the parking lot at my work (from my boss' office).  All parking lots have been reduced by at least a third.  I think we'll still have piles by May: 

 

I took all the snow photos 2 days after the snow/ice storm hit.  I couldn't believe how everything was still covered by ice the entire 45 miles from my house northwest to my office, but I couldn't quite capture it with the camera phone speeding along at 70 plus mph through my filthy windshield: 

Now, more than 10 days later, the melting is well underway.  I can actually see one of the planters flanking the front steps for the first time in at least 6 weeks!  It was 50 degrees today.  God I hope this lasts.  I can't take much more snow and ice.

Comments

[Blackswampgirl Kim]

Wow! I think that I am going to have sweet dreams tonight of beignets and chantilly cream. :)

[Layanee]

Amazing how much snow we have isn't it? Even after the big melt today I still cannot walk very far into the garden. I want some of those beignets! Glad you made it there safely and back safely. It won't be long before we are seeing sprouts. At least the blue sky and white 'flocking' of snow on my calendar is cheerful.

[Ilona]

I totally enjoyed following your trip vicariously. I could use some of that sunshine and seafood!

[Heather's Garden]

Kim -- I dream of them often!

Layanee -- My bruises have finally faded. I am enjoying the FL sunset of March much more than the snowy photo of February!

Ilona -- I could use some more sunshine and seafood myself!

[Colby Moore]

I'm imagining the snow being melted marshmallows. And I've just notice this now; the beer and the sunset have the same color. A symbolism of the end of a perfect day.