Destination: USA

Photos: Florida Panhandle

Fri, 5 Feb 2021 | By graynomadsusa | Photo Gallery

Of Course I Still Love You

Sun, 24 Jan 2021 | By graynomadsusa | Views [422]

THE SPACEX MISSION FROM CAPE CANAVERAL launched right on schedule—the revised schedule, that is. Yesterday’s launch was scrubbed due to atmospheric conditions but everything was A-OK this morning.          ... Read more >

Some Good News

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 | By graynomadsusa | Views [413]

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE GOT OUR FIRST Moderna Covid shots this morning. The Bad News is that we had to drive eight hours yesterday to Fort Walton Beach for the jabs and spend the night in a hotel. We will be only minutes away for Shot #2, which I guess will ... Read more >

Time For Cocoa

Sun, 10 Jan 2021 | By graynomadsusa | Views [432]

WE’RE BACK IN COCOA BEACH AGAIN and I, for one, could use a cup of hot cocoa. I don’t expect you poor souls in Colorado, Minnesota or—gods forbid—New Jersey to feel sorry for us. It was 38° this mornig and the expected high ... Read more >

Somethin's Happenin' Here / What It Is Ain't Exactly Clear.

Wed, 6 Jan 2021 | By graynomadsusa | Views [415]

“GUESTS, LIKE FISH, BEGIN TO SMELL AFTER THREE DAYS.” Back when old Ben said that there was no refrigeration—heck, he hadn’t even done the kite in the thunderstorm thing yet. Even with refrigeration and air-con, Paul still must ... Read more >

Photos: Back in Cocoa

Tue, 5 Jan 2021 | By graynomadsusa | Photo Gallery

Good Riddance 2020—Hello 2021

Fri, 1 Jan 2021 | By graynomadsusa | Views [384]

WE SEEM TO FIND OURSELVES AT BOYCE Thompson Arboretum every time we come to Arizona. We always enjoy ourselves and usually see something new. This time it was the brand new Wallace Desert Garden which adds another dimension—and 13 acres with a ... Read more >

Musical Instrument Museum

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 | By graynomadsusa | Views [481]

PAUL TENDS TO FORGET THAT WE HAVE visited him in Arizona before—five times if memory serves. This year we're here to support him through the best and worst of the holiday season, not to be entertained. But Paul, who can’t help being the perfect-... Read more >

. . . And Early to Rise

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 | By graynomadsusa | Views [434]

THE DAY BEGINS EARLY IN ARIZONA, at least it does at Casa Paul. Connie is the earliest bird. She is one of those unfortunates who can’t go back to sleep once awake so she rises at oh-dark-whatever. Paul, I’m assured, gets up before six on ... Read more >

A Very Grinchy Christmas

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 | By graynomadsusa | Views [348]

WE CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS LIKE NORMAL FOLKS for the first time in years. We shared a delicious meal in the company of friends, quaffed a wassail or two and shared stories, both old and new. We didn’t exchange gifts or sing carols but Nick and Peggy ... Read more >

Arizona For The Holidays

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 | By graynomadsusa | Views [396]

COVID BE DAMNED, WE HAVE TRADED palm trees for cactus, the Gulf of Mexico for the Sonoran Desert, humidity for dust and manatees for coyotes. Yeah, we’re spending the holidays in Arizona—Gold Canyon to be more exact—with our friend ... Read more >

Photos: Arizona

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 | By graynomadsusa | Photo Gallery

A Flash of Green

Sun, 29 Nov 2020 | By graynomadsusa | Views [329]

WHEN I FIRST READ ABOUT THE FLASH OF GREEN in a John D. MacDonald novel, I figured it was just more Margaritaville-hype of the “we live Florida and you don’t” variety.  Nadia Drake probably felt the same when she wrote in National ... Read more >

Gone Fishin'

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 | By graynomadsusa | Views [732]

OLD-TIMERS DON’T NEED A LICENSE TO FISH in Florida.  Before the Dark Times descended you might see them lined up shoulder-to-shoulder on almost any bridge or pier—today they are keeping their social distance.  I prefer to be closer ... Read more >

Manatees Need Loving,Too

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 | By graynomadsusa | Views [384]

IT’S NOT EASY BEING A MANATEE.  First off is the identity crisis.  We are not—and never have been—mermaids, despite what old-timey sailors may have you believe.  They must have been at sea way t-o-o long.  ... Read more >