out and about

the weather has been so spectacular we have made a habit of eating lunch outside - both at home and out at waterside restaurants... and this morning I went to the beach for a walk in the water (which has remained warm due to the wonderful weather)

On Wednesday we met our former landlords Al & Carol for lunch on the Manatee River at Pier 22- you can come by boat but we came by car- LOL

Then Thursday it was so gorgeous we decided to head over to Longboat Key to Mar Vista for lunch on the Inter-coastal

and this morning it was again so beautiful I couldn't stay away from the water!

the water is so clear you can see the bottom (next two photos taken through the water)

a flock of black skimmers hanging out with a few gulls nearby-

the area between the beach and the parking is lined with trees and picnic tables and a few rudimentary grills for use by beach visitors-

these were my shell finds this morning-  a few small but perfect ones- and a few interesting imperfect ones--- LOL

tomorrow we are off to Miami for a few days to see family and then we will be back home for the holidays--- enjoying the weather before winter (such as it is here) settles in....