New Years Eve

We are settling into life in Stuart without any problems at all. So well that Tim will bestow on us the title of Honorary Floridians!

On Thursday we go bike riding with Tim and Carolyn - along the nature trail beside the St Lucie canal. We stop for lunch sitting out on the verandah of the local golf club clubhouse.

In the evening we drive into Stuart, a lovely Old Florida style town where art and culture are alive and well with galleries, antique shops, museums and the landmark Lyric Theatre built in 1926 as a silent movie theatre.

We have a lovely meal at Wahoo's Riverhouse situated on the east side of the St Lucie river. Seafood is the specialty. There is an inside dining room, deck bar and ... a Tiki bar.
The restaurant has wide waterfront views of Stuart, the river and the Roosevelt Bridge. The bridge is lit up at night providing spectacular views.

The Roosevelt Bridge is a beautiful bridge. It is a major highway segmental bridge completed in 1996 to replace twin parallel drawbridges. The older bridges frequently caused massive traffic problems in Stuart as they had to open to let boat traffic up the St Lucie river. The new bridge carries US Route 1, it  is a high level bridge approximately 1 mile long.


















On Friday I have a day for the queen! Tim drives me to the Treasure Island shopping mall. He drops me off about 11.30am and picks me up about 5pm. I found nice coffee and then ....!!!!!  I'm not sure what Trevor did.

The weather clouded over for the weekend. It even looked like it could rain though it is still warm.

We visit a small museum beside the St Lucie Lock which is very interesting and informative. Displays show how water is regulated and managed in South Florida - centred around Lake Okeechobee, the nation's second largest freshwater lake and Florida's largest lake. Its name is derived from Seminole Indian words meaning 'big water'. Though somewhat shallow, averaging about 10 feet in depth, the lake covers 730 square miles.
The lake is extremely important in monitoring and regulating water to prevent flooding which occurs after hurricanes. The Herbert Hoover Dike a man made structure around the waters of Lake Okeechobee protects the area against storm surges or flooding by maintaining a safe lake level.  It almost completely surrounds the lake, averages 30 feet in height, is approx 143 miles in length and consists of levees with 19 culverts, hurricane gates  and other water control structures.

We continue to enjoy our spot at Phipps Park. It looks as if the number of motor homes has grown. We walk and ride around the area always looking for the ever elusive alligator!
Happily we keep on top of the changes to the security code for the gate, which is usually locked when we bike home from Tim and Carolyn's place.  We really have become locals.
















On New Years Eve we lunch at the Pelican Cafe under the Roosevelt Bridge. We wander around the river walk passing by the yacht club and along the streets of downtown Stuart. Such a leisurely life!
Trevor has an afternoon nap - it may be a late night!!

We all had dinner at Giuseppe's Italian Grill. Luke joins us which is nice.
We have a wonderful meal! I had Flounder Florentine served with artichokes in a heavenly sauce. we are certainly setting up the New Year to be a good one!

We walk to the home of Carolyn's brother Ed and his wife. They live in the same community and host a block party each New Years Eve. They have a DJ;  there is dancing in the street. Trevor has a shot of Moonshine - real Moonshine from Tennessee - he said it was ... powerful!!!

Back at Tim and Carolyn's, getting ready for midnight. All round the Tiki bar. Tim and Luke set off fireworks. Some of their neighbours join in the firework displays. Its all a lot of fun!! Such a great way to finish off an amazing year.  And then it is 2013.

We bike home about 1.00am