Pasco Winter Quarters, Land-O-Lakes, FL: This morning dawned cold, misty, and windy. Laid low until the sun came out late morning and then headed out for some lunch and wanted to check out Honeymoon Island State Park south of here. The park is a really pretty natural area with hiking trails, kayaking, and 4 miles of pristine beaches. This barrier island is known as an important location for resting and foraging shorebirds. There is also a ferry service that runs to a couple of the other barrier islands. It got its name when the owner of the island, together with Life Magazine, held a contest for newly married couples. The winners would stay in thatched bungalows for a two-week “honeymoon”—thus the name. Walked a little bit of the osprey trail and then headed to my sister’s to meet them for dinner. After dinner we played spades. We each won a game. Life is good.

Me starting out on the Osprey Trail

Honeymoon Island State Park

Osprey nest dripping with Spanish moss

Honeymoon Island State Park

The spades group...