From Florida 2010

We took a 12-day trip to Florida in May, flying to Miami and driving 2,250 miles home. Our days and nights in Miami involved decrappifying a house full of photos, knick-knacks, and oddities accumulated over 30+ years. We produced 10 super-sized garbage bags, two carloads for Goodwill, and gifts for two dozen people. (And this was actually the second week-long stab at decrappification.) The moral: We don’t need much of the stuff we have.

Chores ended and vacation began with a few days at the beach along Florida’s Gulf Coast, far-enough from BP’s – and “Drill, Baby, Drill”-fools’ – catastrophe. The high point was kayaking among dolphins just offshore.

From Florida 2010

Our path home took us through Alabama and onto the Elvis Highway from Birmingham through Tupelo, Mississippi, into Memphis for a few days with Merri’s mom. Out of Memphis, it is a straight shot of 1,000 miles home. In fact, after a night in Oklahoma City, when we got back on I-40, the GPS indicated the next turn would be in 540 miles, at the exit to our house.

Luke the dog prospered under the care of our housesitter, as well as with visits from friends and neighbors. Still, he was beside himself on our return, as were we. Now, we are grappling with his phenomenal shedding – more than I’ve ever seen from any dog. It’s good to be home.

Florida 2010 (19 photos)

Previous trip: Guatemala
Next trip: Colorado