Friday Foto Friends #46 and My Pics of the Week

Happy Friday...and Happy Fall y'all!!!  Fall is my most favorite time of the year! Even though here in Florida we don't have the pretty leaves like most northern states have...we do have fall-like weather from October through at least March...so how could anyone complain about that?  It sure beats the heat of summer and frozen months of winter!

So, this past week we have been on a little "stay-cation" with a friend visiting us from up north (Ohio).  The days were actually a bit too warm and muggy for very much outdoor activity, but we managed to fit in a little bit of fun here and there, which also led to some great opportunities for my "pics of the week".

 One evening we went out to eat at a seafood restaurant along the banks of the St. John's River. From our vantage point on the deck of the restaurant, my hubby kept saying he could see what appeared to be an eagle across the river in the trees.  This was with his naked eye...no glasses.  So I started zooming in on the trees with my camera, and sure enough! There was an eagle perched up in the tree, watching the water below for his fish supper!  Good eye, hubby!

 After supper I walked down on the dock and watched some shrimp fishermen casting their nets.  I wanted to call out to them like Jesus did to His fishermen disciples so many years ago:

"Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No."  And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some."  So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.  John 21:5-6

But they were busily casting their nets and I didn't want to disturb them. They were kind enough to allow me to take their pictures.

As the sun was setting

behind us in the west it was thrilling to see the reflections of these boats on the water. Such a peaceful, glorious evening.

The next day we determined to take a little "cruise" on the river at the Fort Gates Ferry

And so we followed the directions above, and waited, and waited, and waited. I did a few jumping jacks on the "wooden ramp", hoping to attract some attention... (no picture of that, thank goodness!)

And finally after we about ran out our car battery on the headlights and I about ran out my energy jumping around like a Mexican Jumping bean, we saw the ferry barge slowly making its way across the river.

 When the ferry hooked up to the ramp, my hubby very carefully drove the car onto the ferry, and off we went...right onto the river...

 This is the little tugboat that actually did all the work pulling us across the river!

 It was a lovely ride across the river...

Here we are playing "tourist" with our sunhats and sunglasses...

Hubby was even enjoying himself once he got the car on the ferry safely...

And after about 20 minutes of riding on the water we finally made it across to the other side.

 Next we drove to a local restaurant for lunch, and saw this classic 1956 Cadillac parked in the parking lot! Now that was sweet!!

 After lunch we headed back to the ferry, and were greeted by this white heron...

 And this Anhinga drying her wings in the sunshine,

 And also this alligator waiting in the water for someone to throw him some fish... (not me!!!)

 Soon we made it back across the river to our home side...

And off we go again safely back home! Whew!

I hope you enjoyed this little "stay-cation" with me! It's always fun to do something a little different and spontaneous now that we are retired! It helps when company comes on vacation and that gives us an excuse to "play tourist" and see and do some things we probably wouldn't do on our own! So thankful for the good weather, good health, and God's amazing creation here for us to enjoy!

Here are some thoughts from Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 that seem appropriate for us retired folks:

Verse 1:

"To every thing there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven..."

Verses 9-13

"What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?

I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied.

He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time.

Also He has put eternity in their hearts,

except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,

And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor--

It is the GIFT of God!!

I take it from this that our retirement time is a "gift of God", and we are meant to enjoy it! Therefore, I hope and pray that we will be able to do just that all the remaining days of our lives, and give thanks to the One Who made it possible! Praise God!

I am linking up with Deb and friends over at "Friday Foto Friends"  Click on the link to see what fun

 and interesting photos others are sharing today!