I don’t know about you but for me the beach is my Happy Place in the whole world. Maybe it’s related to my Caribbean sunny, warm and at times superhot island of Puerto Rico. I simply LOVE IT!

OK, I am sure that all of you heard of Siesta Key, the #1 beach in the USA. It’s located in Sarasota, Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. The sand is super white, the water is unmistakably blue and it is amazingly beautiful, just what Mother Nature created for all of us to enjoy FREE, smile.

However, since Siesta Beach became the #1 Beach in the USA, people from all over are coming to enjoy it and at times in the Key the traffic becomes too much to handle.

Well, today I decided to stop by, in spite of the fact that the temperature was basically in the 40’s or 50’s, the wind was brutal, made it feels like 30’s, and then surprise, the beach was almost empty. YESSSSSS! The few people there were all bundled up, the birds decided not to fly today and I even stood less than a foot from them and they didn’t bother to fly away. Sweet!
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Overall, I had a great time enjoying my happy place. Tomorrow, I’ll show you one very famous beach tree that brings so many memories to me as a child and what beach vendors use to do with its leaves in the island. So, stay tuned and wait to read my tomorrow’s post.

And yes, I never get tired of seeing these cuties during my walks. They are sweet, loving and look at you like a friend. (Except that gator resting on the pond)
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However, the white one is a bit scary with those long things, smile.  

Wow, this tree is not in flower now but what a sweet memory to come across this tree in Florida. My favorite flowering color is the red, although I’ve seen it in pink and have no idea of how many other colors this majestic tree can produce.
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Anyways, it made me so happy to see it, even without any flower to show. BOOM!

Traveling is one of the most relaxing things if you will. Sometimes, you do not need to make big plans, or take time from work, book a cruise, purchase plane tickets or anything else. Just plan to go somewhere where you can hit the road in the morning, enjoy the place and head back home at night.

This is exactly what happened here. The trip to Ft. Myers, FL was as smooth as you can get. The day was a bit cloudy, however that didn’t spoil my fun. The only drawback to me was that I was planning to go to the beach, however, I took the wrong exit and ended up in the bay. Problem? Not at all.
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I discover that downtown in North Ft. Myers is as hip as any other, just like Georgetown in Washington, south Beach, Miami, Ocean City, Maryland and many more. There are tons of modern restaurants, lots of modern high rises with amazing architecture, the people are super friendly, walking tours, arts and music everywhere and my goal to enjoy the day somewhere relaxing was met. Boom.

Have you eaten Dole pineapples? I am sure that your answer is yes. In spite of the fact that I prefer fresh pineapples 100% of the time, when cooking, I turn to Dole for quality and flavors.
 
While in Hawaii I was fortunate to visit their company and I liked what I saw. They have a little train that takes you to the farm, the plantation and a cute maze among other atractions; and since the weather in Hawaii is mostly adorable all the time, the tour was enjoyable. Take a look at my slide show and enjoy.

When I was scheduled to tour the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor I thought that I was just going to see a site to learn about World War II Era. I was wrong!  Little did I know that the visit would make such an impact on me.
 
I hate wars and prior to my visit, I really had heard of Pearl Harbor, but never paid attention to what really took place there.  When I arrived at the Visitor Center in the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and before I boarded a US Navy launch boat to sail to the USS Arizona Memorial, I watched a film documenting the attack on Pearl Harbor, complete with actual footage. Just watching the film, I became emotionally disturbed.
 
Built over the sunken wreckage of the actual USS Arizona battleship, the memorial is a tribute to the 1,177 crewmen that were on board and killed during the tragic events on December 7, 1941. Inside, there is an assembly room and shrine with the names of all the victims, where visitors pay respects and honor the victims; our American soldiers.
 
My ride to and from the Memorial was packed with people, yet you could not hear anyone speaking, just the waves. The sadness that I felt throughout the whole time during my visit was incomprehensible. You, see, I don’t have knowledge about the military, wars or battles. However, the unusual feeling of deep sadness and need to mourn for all the soldiers that were killed that day that I felt was overwhelming. Needless to say, I was unable to hold back my tears.
 
In total, the attack on Pearl Harbor lasted approximately 2 hours and left 2,403 Americans dead and 1,178 wounded.
 
I will never forget that so many of our soldiers were killed by the Japanese during that surprised attack that precipitated the United States to enter into World War II. 

Have you ever been in a submarine?  You should. I had the opportunity to ride one for the first time in my life that took me to depths well beyond 100 feet. For a girl that under no other circumstances go that deep in the ocean, it was my chance to see it all and without getting wet. It was simply AMAZING!
 
During the past 100 years, the natural reefs off the coast of Waikiki have been disappearing. The company that operates the submarine that I rode, Atlantis Submarines, helped to reverse this problem by creating several man-made reefs in collaboration with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program. The site consists of two sunken ships; a U.S. Navy vessel, a Korean fishing vessel, man-made reefs structures, and the remnants of two sunken airlines.  
 
I also enjoyed seeing a large number of reefs residents; fish species seen only in Hawaii’s waters. I was so fortunate and I don’t think I will ever forget that ride.
 
I take my hat off and thank this private corporation for giving back to our country, so that not only our children but future generations have the opportunity to enjoy this natural resources.

This is a trip that if you haven’t been there, you must add to your “Bucket List”. Hawaii’s natural beauty is so beyond description that you have to see it in person. The state is not short of extraordinary attractions either. Translation, the fun you will have will surpass any of your prior trips.
 
Hawaii is not only about the beach and surfing. From the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, a site that each and every American must visit, to the multicultural experience, or the submarine rides, and the food; tons of museums, and let’s not forget, a fun tourist trap area; oh well, let’s enjoy the ride together. This is going to be Amazing!

​I tell you this, if I never have to go to another airport or take another plane in my life, I will be forever grateful. Unfortunately, that’s not realistic; therefore, I appreciate the blessing of traveling by train every chance that I get.
 
For one thing, the train station doesn’t compare to an airport. There are no hassles or chaos. Instead, it’s all about relaxation, laid back, low key, and the expectation of the upcoming fun.  The best part of this trip is that you are not driving; however, your car is already loaded on the car train, so upon arrival, you’ll pick it up and drive to wherever your final destination will take you.
 
I took the Amtrak Auto Train, which takes you from Washington, DC to Orlando Florida. (Technically, boarding is at the Lorton train station, arriving the next day at the Sanford train station.) When you drive to the station, you park your vehicle in front of the terminal, they tag a number and shortly, a staff person loads it inside the car train wagon. Meantime, you go to the terminal to wait for departure time and then, that’s when the fun begins.
 
Once you board the train and get settle, just walk to the lounge car for a snack, coffee or a drink and watch TV, read a book or just relax. Then go back to your comfortable sitting area to relax and enjoy the panoramic view.
 
In the evening, you will be called for dinner. Just walk to the dining car to see that the atmosphere is so elegant, with crisp white table cloths and napkins, friendly waiters, etc., just like you would experience at any nice restaurant. Incidentally, you share a table with other passengers, giving both sides the opportunity to chat and learn about each other.
 
Sleeping arrangements varied depending on what you select; however, they are all comfortable. The next day when you wake up get ready for breakfast. By the way, these meals are covered in your travel ticket, so nothing to pay at the table.
 
Few hours after breakfast the train will arrive to the Sanford, FL station. At that point, they will bring your car back, then you are ready to take off to wherever your final destination will be. Some friends we made at dinner time where heading to the Keys, others to the west coast.
 
Friends, it was so much fun. If you have the opportunity to ride a train for a mini vacation, don’t think twice, pack your bags and run. Have fun!

The other morning, I was going out for a walk, opened my front door and looked at my balcony bench. There was a fox there looking at me. He stayed there for a couple of minutes and then ran away towards my front lawn, where he sat, looked back at me, rolled over, looked back again and then finally ran away.
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I was so happy to see it, however, it was malnourished, since it looks so thin, limping, perhaps, because of a broken leg and almost no hair on the tail and body.

Since that encounter, I have seen this guy several times during my daily walks and in my court. I wish I can call authorities to come pick him up and care for it. However, the little guy is so fast that you’ll see him for few minutes and then almost immediately will run away. Bummer!