SIRATA

1/26/09---From our second floor room there is a good view of the beach. Even though the daytime temperature only reaches the mid 70’s there are several people walking on the beach. The clean, white sand feels soft on the feet. We drove around to get acquainted with the area and pick up some groceries to stock the refrigerator in our suite. Sunset was quite spectacular.

1/27/09---Spent the day on the beach as the sun shined brightly and the gulf was calm. The water appeared blue and sometimes took on a green hue. There was someone attempting to fly a kite, but the air was so still he was not having much success. The best flight was a guy in his one man, powered, parasail. He was enjoying the view from his low level flight vantage point. Someone did a lot of work arranging the sand to protray their imagination. Sea gulls blended in the white sand. A boat looks stationary in the big water. Carol picked up a few sea shells. From here it is rather hard to believe that many businesses are closed in Oklahoma City because of the heavy snow fall in the central U.S.

FLORIDA

1/8-21/09---Not much to report during this time period. The 4mcgees have been staying close to their homes in Youngsville, LA. Behaving a lot like bears in hibernation, waiting for spring!

1/22-23/09---The 4mcgees are starting another driving adventure. Keith and Maryann traveled to the boat in Demopolis, Al. Everything was found to be okay and they spent some pleasant time together. The wooden alligator on display in the marina at Demopolis seems to be saying someting about the cold weather.

1/24/09---Keith and Maryann drove from Demopolis to Marianna, Florida. This town is about 57 miles west of Tallahassee. Carol and I (Allen) drove from Youngsville and met them for an overnight stay. Our plan is to spend a week near the beach on the Gulf side of central Florida. Keith said the reason we are going is because he heard on the news that Florida is the best place to be during the next cold snap.

1/25/00---We left my vehicle at the motel and the 4mcgees continued on the journey in Keith’s van. Since we had plenty of time the decision was made to not take the Interstate. We drove south to make our way along the coast. This gave us the opportunity to cross the Intracoastal Waterway a couple of times and learn where it entered the Gulf of Mexico at Apalachicola. The Gibson house caught our attention even though it has nothing to do with the boat manufacturer. There were lots of boats in the marina where the intracoastal enters the gulf.

Because of the slower travel rate it was an all day trip (10 ½ hrs) to reach our destination at the Sirata Motel in St. Pete.

NEW YEAR

12/31/2008-1/7/2009---All at once 2008 come to an end! Who knows what makes time fly bye. Perhaps it is the fast paced life everyone seems to lead. At any rate it is certainly hoped that each and every one of you had a joyous Christmas and started the new year with great enthusiasm.

It was wonderful to have friends and family around for the holidays.
Jeff McGee is the Grandson of Allen. You can see the pride in (Crystal) his mother, as we waited for his departure at the Lafayette airport on January 3rd. Jeff has been in the Marines for a little over 3 years. He is returning to California for additional training before he deploys to Iraq, the last week of this month. He is looking forward to achieving the rank of Sargent next month.

Another important date was January 4th. That is when Keith turned 63. He does not necessarily admit that many years, but according to the calender that is correct! His birthday was celebrated by eating pie instead of cake. It seems there were plenty of good things to eat from the holidays.

BOAT TRIP

December 25 - December 30, 2008

Keith and Maryann have been blessed by having their daughter and her family here in Louisiana for the Holidays. They all spent Christmas Day with us (Allen and Carol), our children and grandchildren. It was fun having so much family here! A great time was had by all. Two days later they decided to drive up to Dream Manor to check on her and to take a boat ride, weather permitting. When they arrived in Demopolis on Saturday evening, the weather was quite chilly. The next day was cold and rainy on and off. During one of the dry times, the “boys” enjoyed playing with Keith’s PT-109 radio controlled boat. FINALLY on Monday, the sun came out! Carpe Diem applied, so Dream Manor explored the Lower Black Warrior River for 2 hours, flipped a U, and returned to the Demopolis Yacht Basin. The river was deep with lots of “switchbacks”, making barge navigation a challenge. Except for being chilly, the trip was PERFECT. What a joy to experience new adventures with 8 year old Max! He thought it was really cool when the railroad bridge went up and then came down again to let a train cross the river. The next morning, they sadly bid adieu to Dream Manor once more and drove Stephanie, Max and Todd to the airport in New Orleans. Stephanie and family returned to the cold of NE Wyoming with warm memories to match those of Grandma & Grandpa’s here in Louisiana.

LOUISIANA CHRISTMAS

12/12/08-12/25/08---Busy time in Louisiana. Finished putting up lights, shopping and making preparations for the big day. Carol had an elective surgery on December 16th to fix a problem around her right eye. Muscle had not attached from when she had brain surgery two years ago. Her vision is much better now. She healed quickly and was ready for her birthday on December 25th. Yes that is Christmas day. A good time was had by all as the family gathered for Christmas dinner.

SNOW

12/11/08---What a sight! The grass is covered with white stuff. "Snow"!!?? This is Youngsville, Louisiana---not Wyoming. The snow flakes looked large while it was still dark. A fine snowman was promptly built. It will not last very long as the ground is still warm. As the day temperature rises, the snow will melt away. My daughter (Crystal) enjoyed making a snow angel. It is looking a lot like Christmas as Santa stands near the reindeer.

HOLIDAYS

11-29-08 thru 12-07-08 The days pass quickly here in Louisiana. We are all busy preparing for Christmas and doing household projects that seem to stack up when we are gone for long periods of time. Lafayette, LA kicked off the Christmas season with the lighting of Santa over the cross walk from the medical center to the hospital. There was a nice crowd out for the evening. Keith & Maryann posed by a nicely lighted tree. Carol chose one that was on display in a store. Keith may have looked a little grumpy, but he soon smiled as the free popcorn was finished and put in a sack for him. You can see by the jackets that it was a little cool. But not "cold" like you folks in the north are experiencing. There were local groups singing Christmas carols and everyone had a good time. That activity took place on the 5th.









Sunday the 7th we went downtown and enjoyed the "Sonic" Christmas parade. There were 17 floats and 13 high school bands. The various floats were throwing candy, soft drink tokens, stuffed animals and other things. Those things were being tossed into the crowds of people that lined the streets. The children really enjoy catching the toys and candy. Of course the last float was carrying Santa Claus. He probably had a tired arm from waving by the time the parade ended.