SUMMER RENTAL by Mary Kay Andrews

This is the first story I have read by this author.   It was a very quick and enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more of her books.

Growing up near the beach, this story grabbed me right away; about spending a month in a beach house. You have Ellis, Dorie and Julia, who have been friends since grade school.  Now in their thirties, they decide to spend August at the beach in Nags Head. Willa, Dorie's sister invites herself along only to cancel at the last minute.  That leaves the other three to cover her cost.  The house they rented is right n the beach, however the house is in bad shape.  The owner can only be reached by email.  And, to top it off there is a beach bum living in the garage apartment.

AMAZON - Summer Rental

SANDY SAYS 3/3 STARS

THE WANDERER A THUNDER POINT NOVEL by Robyn Carr

This took me a little bit to get into the story.   But, enjoyed it then.   Set in Thunder Point, Oregon and  during the fall-New Year.

Cooper-Hank Cooper comes to town after learning of the death of an Army buddy.  They along with another buddy were to have met up and gone hunting.  Cooper wants to find out what happened and meets with the Sheriff, Mac.   Turns out Ben owns land that includes beachfront, an old bait shop, dock and bar/ deli.   Mac informs Cooper that Ben fell down the stairs leading to the cellar, which strikes Cooper as strange as Ben was a large man.   Include in the mix the very small town and way of small towns.   Cooper is not the only newcomer, there is Sarah and her brother Landon.

What will Cooper do?  Will he keep the property since he inherited it?  Will he move on as is his custom?

This is the first of a new series

AMAZON - The Wanderer a Thunder Point Novel

SANDY SAYS 2/3 STARS

DUDLEY FARM HISTORIC STAE PARK

Location and Phone Number

18730 W Newberry Road
Newberry, Fl. 32669
352-472-1142

Located 7 miles west of I 75, exit 387


Hours

9 am - 4 pm Wednesday- Sunday


Fees

$5 per carload with a maximum of 8 people
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Honor system, you stop on way in and pay.

Groups should make reservations 1 month in advance





Have you ever wanted to step back in time?  Dudley Farm spans 150 years and 3 generations of the Dudley's.   They lived and farmed here.  There are a total of 640 acres, with the park today spanning over 325 of those acres.  The land and buildings were donated to the state in 1983 by Myrtle Dudley. The 18 buildings are authentic and not re created.   It was very interesting.  And, you can see horses, mules, turkeys and chickens.  You can see the fields of crops.  People in period costume are there as well, helping to complete the picture.  They have several events throughout the year.

                                                

 

                                          Photos courtesy of Steve and Sandy Lampp





Dudley Farm Historic State Park


(Link used for the hours, location and fees)


I am not paid by or affiliated with the Dudley Farm.
The observations are strictly my own.
The prices and hours were in effect when I was there 05/17/2013

ANGEL MINE A Whispering Wind Novel by Sherryl Woods

One thing I love about Sherryl's stories are that the are quick to read, and upbeat.  They may be predictable but that is another thing I enjoy.  Knowing kind of what to expect when I get one of her books.

Heather and Todd are actors and in love.  Todd takes a job for financial security and that causes a break with Heather.  Three years later, heather has an adorable little girl Angel.  Feeling overwhelmed she sets off to Wyoming to find Todd, Angels father.  Only problem is that Todd has a secret from when he was a teenager and that leaves him terrified to be around small children.

AMAZON - Angel Mine

SANDY SAYS 3/3 STARS

WIND CHIME POINT an Ocean Breeze Novel by Sherryl Woods

The second in a trilogy about three sisters. A very quick and enjoyable read.
This is the story of Gabriella.  She along with her two sisters spent their summers in Sand Castle Bay, NC with their grandmother.  After helping her sisters and her grandmother get the family restaurant back open after a hurricane, she heads back to Raleigh and her life.  Which is being a top PR women for the biomedical company she works for, and her boyfriend.  Only to get pregnant, have her boyfriend reject her and the baby and then be let go from the company because she is unmarked and pregnant.  So, back to grandmothers house she goes.
What will happen?  Will she keep the baby?  Will she find a job?  What about her budding friendship with Wade?

AMAZON - Wind Chime Point

SANDY SAYS 3/3 STARS

PAYNES PRAIRIE PRESERVE STATE BANK LA CHAU TRAIL

Directions and Hours

From the park’s main entrance on US 441 north of Micanopy, drive north, crossing the  vastness of the prairie to reach Gainesville. At the first traffic light, SR 331, turn right. Keep to  the right and drive 2.2 miles to SE 4th Street. When this road ends after 0.9 mile, keep right  to turn onto SE 15th Street (CR 2043). You’ll pass Bouleware Springs Park just before  coming to a bend in the road. At 1 mile, take the right turn off the bend, and head straight into the park entrance, Camp Ranch Road. This entrance is only open on weekdays. The gate is  locked at 5 PM. On weekends and holidays, park at Bouleware Springs and walk in on the Gainesville-Hawthorne Rail Trail.

Fees

$2 per person  You walk from parking lot to beginning of trail and the payment stand is there,  they do the honor system and you are supposed to hang placard in your car

Trail

Part of the trail is on a concrete path, that turns into a wooden boardwalk that leads to lookout spots.  You then can leave and walk on a natural path.  We walked to the end where  there was another lookout spot. We walked 3 plus miles.  Along the way you will see lots of birds, snakes, alligators, horses.  They are in their natural environment so beware. You will have lots to take pictures of.  You may want to bring water along.

       

Paynes Prairie La Chau Trail

(link to the Florida State Parks information, directions and fees used above)

I am not paid by or affiliated with the Paynes Prairie La Chau Trail Park.
The observations are strictly my own.
The prices and hours were in effect when I was there 04/26/2013

POSSUM CREEK PARK

Location and Hours

4009 NW 53rd Ave, Gainesville, Fl

Dawn to Dusk

Fees

Free, unsure if there is a fee to reserve covered patio.

This is a large park, 76 acres.  They have a large playground, covered patio with picnic tables and bbq grills, soccer fields, huge skateboard area, 2 fenced dog areas-1 for small dogs and 1 for large dogs, gazebo and nature trails.  At one end of a nature trail there is a huge over area ideal for kite flying and picnics. There are restrooms.
Warning-while in the woods on the nature trails there are roots, be careful where you walk.
And, mosquitos.
Downside is when you are walking on the trails, you hear all the traffic noise.

All in all, I was impressed with this park.  Awesome area for families and kids.

                                                                                                                               

                                
                               





                                                       Photos courtesy of Sandy Lampp







I am not paid by or affiliated with the Possum Creek Park.
The observations are strictly my own.
The prices and hours were in effect when I was there 05/08/2013

SAND CASTLE BAY An Ocean Breeze Novel by Sherryl Woods

Another quick and enjoyable story by Sherryl.  This is the first of another series, An Ocean Breeze Novel.
Having been raised near the ocean, I enjoy books centered around them.  Based in Sand Castle Bay, NC.  Cora Jane owns and runs the restaurant she and her late husband started,  Castles By The Sea.  A hurricane is bearing down on NC.  Cora Jane's son brings her inland to his daughter Gabi's home.  His other two daughters, Samantha and Emily, after hearing the weather reports; head for NC.
Emily has not been back since she took off to spread her wings, leaving behind Boone; her boyfriend.
What will they find after the hurricane leaves?  Will Emily be able to handle seeing Boone again?  How will the three girls careers handle the hiatus?

AMAZON -  Sand Castle Bay

SANDY SAYS 3/3 STARS

COFRIN NATURE PARK

Location and Hours

4810 NW 8th Ave
Gainesville, Fl.

8 am - 6 pm daily Nov-Apr
8 am - 8 pm daily May-Oct


Fees

There is no fees to walk the trail.  Unsure if there is a fee to use pavilion.


This was once a horse farm, that has been allowed to return to natural vegetation.  In all there are 30 acres, with a half mile loop trail.  There are tennis courts, a nice playground, picnic tables and covered pavilion with bbq and rest rooms.
This is near the Oaks Mall, and allows for a nice walk in the woods without having to go far.  Be careful of the roots in the path

photos courtesy of Sandy Lampp

 

 
                               

photo courtesy of Steve Lampp

Cofrin Nature Park

(Link to Florida Parks, I used the location and hours)



I am not paid by or affiliated with the Cofrin Nature Park.
The observations are strictly my own.
The prices and hours were in effect when I was there 04/30/