101 Reasons Why I Love Florida: Reason #14

Today is a gorgeously rainy day here in Florida. I made my usual drive along the river this morning and saw a pair of pelicans napping on some pilings near the marina. I'd love to get a picture of them in flight, but I really liked seeing them having a little rest, too.

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101 Reasons Why I Love Florida: Reason #13

When I met Terri, she was living about a mile from me with her 7-year-old son and 18-year-old niece. Her son, Brandon, was a well-mannered and adorable little boy, and I loved him instantly. Over the years I have watched as he has gone through all manner of ups and downs while growing into a remarkable man. He is now 23 years old, happily married, and serving in the U.S. Navy. Today, after several months of serving in Afghanistan, Brandon's feet touched U.S. soil, and all of us who love him breathed a collective and ecstatic sigh of relief.

And, yes, that is a camouflage Santa hat. ☺

101 Reasons Why I Love Florida: Reason #12

Because this is where Santa vacations.

101 Reasons Why I Love Florida: Reason #11

Because seriously, where else are you going to see this?

101 Reasons Why I Love Florida: Reason #10

Every Christmas season, the edges of Orange Lake in downtown New Port Richey are adorned with all sorts of art, or "lighted Christmas cards." The lake itself is beautiful enough with its fountain and tropical foliage, but I really love this added touch of Christmas cheer.

101 Reasons Why I Love Florida: Reason #9

The River Lights Boat Parade is a Christmas event on the Pithlachascotee river in downtown New Port Richey. Aside from the obvious fun of twinkling lights and festive decorations, there is also a good-natured competition. Judges rate each boat on theme, number of lights, overall presentation, crew enthusiasm, etc. The winner of the parade gets to trailer their decorated boat as a float in the following week's street parade.

The picture above is my brother-in-law's boat in last year's parade. He did a Christmas Story movie theme, complete with Ralphie in his pink

bunny pajamas, the Christmas tree on top of the family car, kids in earflap hats, and the infamous leg lamp. The boat won first place!

This year's parade was even better. His boat was decorated as a gingerbread house. There was a 6' tall gingerbread man, a small gingerbread girl, five children dressed as dancing peppermints, and enough Christmas lights to send signals to the space station. Professional pictures are still to come, but here are a couple that I snapped myself.

101 Reasons Why I Love Florida: Reason #8

The Ponce Inlet lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida. While my sister and I didn't get to climb it, we drove out of our way just to see it, and we were glad we did. This picture was taken just after sunrise, and it was impossible to capture its striking beauty with a simple camera.