Mardi Gras in Florida

First I got my painting finished.  I’d love to start another one but will probably wait.  I’ve got too many hobbies now.  But here is the final result.

Also a really nice lady a few spaces down offered to show Rick some oil painting in March and gave us a lovely painting that she had done.

The lovely folks in the park have a Mardi Gras day every year.  You start with a pancake breakfast (yum) and later in the day there is a parade, followed by dinner, an ice cream social, and entertainment.  We went to the breakfast and the parade, and then out to dinner with a big group at the one of the local restaurants.

Here is Rick wearing his beads waiting for the parade to begin.

This was the beginning of the parade.

Here’s Dieter – one of the activity directors for the park!

Next came the chicken revolt – apparently the Colonel’s chicken is on the outs.

Here’s a close-up of the costumes which I thought were darling!!!

Here’s baby 2009!

Apparently it’s the thing in Florida for campgrounds to sell their lots individually.  Unfortunately Riverside has come up with this idea.  Many of these people have been coming here for ten years or more and are a little put off by this move.  Here’s a bunch moving out.

Of course – Snob Hill Realty is representing the owners.

The gentleman representing the realty company really does need clothes.  His mysteriously disappeared from the laundry room one afternoon and he had to replace them.  Of course he attended one of the informative meetings wrapped in a towel pleading for his back!!  But now he’s representing the owners of the park in the Mardi Gras parade!

Finally the kayak paddlers in the park were represented by this float!

There were a few more but these were the best.  Of course the week’s not over yet.  We have a talent show in the park tonight and a flea market and craft sale Saturday.  Rick and I aren’t going bowling tomorrow since my leg is still bothering me.  We are going to the Punta Gorda fisherman’s village instead – a shopping mall, fish place, and more.  I’ll try to take more photos and post them soon.