Now Is Heaven

In driving to revisit Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine, founded in 1565, my foot slipped off the brake at a traffic light in Palatka, FL and I hit the car in front of me. The young driver said her neck hurt even though no damage to her car and a bend added to my front license plate-police & ambulance came-no tickets, no anything. So, does this mean my blessed accident-free record of 51+ years is still in tact? My guardian angel 😇 is amazing-for which I give thanks. Prayers for the young woman driver named Echo, who has had health issues. I still made it on time to see the Fort where parking is a challenge. On the way, I passed by Ocala Downs, the home of the pineapple orange, Horseshoe Lake Park & Retreat, and a Seminole Indian Community. Castillo de San Marcos was built under direction of Spain and primarily made of sea shells and sand. Natl Park Svc keeps it up, so it still is standing. 

Today to Cumberland Island, but 37-degree temperature caused me to decide not to venture to the island itself. Rather, I took in what the Visitors Center and grounds offered. St Mary’s, GA, is pretty to look at. After Cumberland, I found a Tire Kingdom in Brunswick, GA to rotate tires and change oil with an appointment for 2 pm. Blythe Island, only 15 minutes away, occupied my time and attention for almost 2 hours waiting for my Pearl’s car appointment. Blythe is such a wonderful word-carefree, indeed. And I felt carefree at Blythe Island! Here’s to  a Blythe day to you all!

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Visit with family a pleasant break and now headed to St Augustine then Cumberland Island in GA. Thanks to Bruce and Anna (and also Bella, the cat). A bit chilly for FL this morn. Went to St Patrick’s Day parade with more beautiful dogs than I’ve ever seen in a parade followed by a great band comprised of 2 bagpipers, fiddler, keyboard player, drummer, and guitarist-an amazingly different combination. Some pix below – the video of full moon with sound of musicians in the background may not play. have a gratitude-filled day!

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Chillin 😎 ​

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More pix

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https://nowisheavendotorg.wordpress.com/2017/02/12/210-21217-visit-with-pnut-ted-brandi/

I am totally fascinated by caverna-stalactites, stalagmites, spekiothems, columns, draperies, and all things cavern. Somehow besides being awed at the creativity displayed, it takes my imagination to wonderful new places! This is FL only cavern!

So grateful to find my first sand dollar this morning! The white sand is more like the consistency of flour than sand. An egret was posing for me this morning, too. Thanks be! Pensacola is just a stones throw. Fort Pickens is located in Gulf Islands and what a huge fort it is! Sound of the waves is so calming for me. Yesterday birds posing, too. Not sure what happened to the post I did for Crater of Diamonds and Toltec Mounds-will try to repost. Enjoy your day!

Today was a beautiful sunshiny 70-degree day for visiting the IWork Jima Memorial in Harlingen TX (see pix). The video and volunteer were very informative-like, Iwo Jima means sulphur, and the Japanese had everything underground so no one could see them or their equipment. War is so destructive; I weep. A Marine military school is also on the grounds.Thanks to Lonnie&Sue for letting me stay here in their place! It’s been fun, relaxing and productive! Typing up journals in MSWord, I’m now up to 170+ pages. Harlingen Public Library was my workplace for 5 days of figuring out techie stuff, using their Wifi, and finally deciding to turn off iCloud photos. Still trying to access pix for a couple of places. I’m headed out some time over the weekend to Arkansas, then Florida. Life is Good!

Happily in 2016, I’ve finally been in all of the United States but Alaska which is a target for 2017! I  collected 555 unique Passport Stamps and 286 Centennial stamps for a total of 841! I’ve been to 320 National Park Service units with 93 left to go. What a joy and a privilege it has been! I’ve driven 53,000+ miles and visited with old and new friends & family. I’ve shared as best I could some of the adventure on FaceBook. I’ve now typed up 156 pages of journal notes and still have more to do. To all of those who encouraged me and those I’ve met along this wonderful journey-thank you for being the amazingly wonderful people you are and sharing yourselves with me! Thanks be to God for the freedom and protection provided on this journey, and as it continues. God bless us everyone! I’ve attached a NPS map with date stamps I put on for when I visited each location. 

Ok, officially 2017-me oh my, did 2016 fly by! My wonderful car needs a new 12-volt battery after 173,000 miles! It’s really lasted way over expectations-I’m grateful. And strangely, my car’s windshield while sitting under a carport, cracked half-way down! Insurance company is working out approvals-weird, right? My car is now totally emptied out so it can get a thorough cleaning; she’ll feel so much better! 

From 12/28 to 12/30 visited Waco Mammoth which I believe I posted info. I believe Mammoth were on this planet 25 million years ago to 10,000 years ago. Quite fascinating to look at the land now and realize its history. Cane River Creole in LA: visit was an old plantation with store and outbuildings. Two booklets I have yet to read on young men serving in the military. Natchez in MS:

Jean LaFitte and New Orleans Jazz, both in NOLA (New Orleans, LA) are a unique flavor, indeed. Established in the 1700s, NOLA has an amazing history and mixture of cultural influences that create its uniqueness. The French Qtr and the horse drawn carriages delighted me the most. Chocktaw Indians have a 10,000 year history and still participate in activities with Jean LaFitte NHP. The New Orleans Jazz NHP has a location in the old mint building, which I was guided to in an amazing way-and there was a parking space right in front of the entrance just for me! I got to see a museum with a large portion devoted to Satchmo! 

May 2017 find our spirit in harmony with Mother/Father God and humankind!