Last day of 2014

The weather today was cool and damp with constant drizzle and overcast skies, but it didn't stop us from having one of the best days in awhile. After breakfast, we made a quick stop at Bealls, a clothing store, because I needed a pair of sneakers. I ended up buying the first pair I tried on, and "G" thought it was his lucky day, but on my way to the register, I passed the clothing racks and grabbed a few cute tops to try on "real quick." After three trips to the dressing room, I ended up finding two tops that were on sale that fit. It's always a good day when you get to buy shoes AND clothes.

By the time we left Bealls (actually pronounced Bells), "G" was famished, so we decided to stop by a pizzeria that some friends of ours, Patsy and Mya, had opened about 8 years ago after moving down here from Peekskill. They didn't know we were in town, so we took them by surprise when we walked in the door. After catching up with info about kids, friends and life, we were ready to eat. 

Luigi's

To our good fortune, we arrived at the same time as a close friend of theirs, a Romanian man named, Catalin. He had brought with him all types of Romanian, German and French delicacies as an end-of-year celebration for our friends and their staff. We were invited to join in and we were treated to Russian Caviar on buttered toast rounds, French Champagne, Blood Sausage, Romanian salami, dried-smoked pork, pigs in pastry, cheese twists, and cabbage in flaky, buttery pastry. 

Of course, we had to try a piece of Patsy's highly rated pizza, so we each had a slice and the reviews were spot-on. It had to be one of the best pizzas I've ever tasted (Moe, you will forever be #1). Both "G" and I were stuffed and felt as if we couldn't eat another bite, when out came the highlight of the feast - French Custard with a flaky pastry topping. OMG. I have never tasted anything so delicious. This has moved into my #1 slot for all-time favorite desserts. It's been about 6 hours since lunch and I'm still full.

Patsy (aka Luigi) and Catalin

Mya

Romanian sausage and dried pork

French Custard - My #1 Favorite Dessert

Once we said our good-byes, we decided to take a ride to find the campground our friend, Charlie, will be staying at once he makes his way down here. I took a few shots that I sent to him with the hopes that he would reconsider his choice of campground, but he says he will make the best of it, and I know he will.

Driving along Daytona Beach

Our next adventure found us driving down the main drag along Highway A-1A, which runs along the ocean. We drove past hotel after hotel, soaring up in the sky, higher than my head could lift - virtually erasing the view of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. "G" managed to fix the lack of ocean view by doing something neither of us had ever done before - drive on the sand, along the ocean. 

Atlantic Ocean Sounds - missing the smell salty sea air.

It was a spectacular delight for the senses. Even though it was drizzling and chilly, it felt, sounded and smelled fabulous to drive and walk on the sand.

Our last stop for the day was at Ponce DeLeon Lighthouse Museum. We took the self-guided tour and saw the living quarters of the light keepers' and their families. It turns out that this lighthouse is the second tallest in the USA.

We made it to the top!

Video of the fresnel lens of the lighthouse

Looking down from the top. Not an easy thing for me to do.

Quite a day, the last day of 2014. I'm so glad we ended it in such a fun and exciting way, perhaps paving the way for how we shall spend 2015. Tonight will be spent quietly watching TV, getting some computer time in with our free wifi, and early to bed.

Next post shall be generated from Clermont, FL, our home-base for the next two months.

Deep thought for the day:  Love what you do and do what you love. ~ Ray Bradbury