The great snow bird experiment

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While Pittsburgh is known for many great things, it has never been particularly renowned for its winters.  Seeing that the Zoster's grandparents have wised up to northeast winters and now flock south for a good chunk every year, we decided that it was a good idea to visit the wise old snowbirds.  So... Florida and Myrtle Beach -- here we come!  Here is the story of part 1:  the great expedition to Delray Beach, Florida.

Victory! Who needs a satin sash when you have an aeroplane?

Mucho kudos to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) - they cordoned off an entire gate and repurposed it as a kids play area.  There's a huge map of the country in the floor so kids can fly from one city to another, and there's all sorts of flight-themed kid-friendly stuff.  Plus it's enclosed so parents can relax while their kids are kids.  Nice one.

Papa's my co-pilot. Now where's the "turbo" button?

With the fine education that she received from Pittsburgh's "Kidsport", wee Zoe became an expert on all things aeronautical.  Turbulence? Ha - she'd seen worse.  Ear pressure?  Psshaw - the girl had three flights with two ear infections and wasn't bothered one bit.

One more picture and they'll be taking pictures of you... in the morgue!

Somewhat weary from the travel, our first destination was the beach.  The most welcoming of all places, beaches are warm, friendly places to carelessly stroll barefoot with loved ones.  Zoe LOVES long walks on the beach.  But wait - what's that?

Boo!

WAR!!!!!!!   We'd been greeted with a purple flag upon arrival: "Dangerous Marine Life - Portugese Man of War."  No joke - they were everywhere.  And don't be fooled, although they appear both cuddly and delicious, they are neither.  Zoster was wise to this, and wanted nothing to do with the war zone, so we headed back to the southerly homestead.

Breakfast with a view...  In no particular order: Cara; Zoe Mae; Intercoastal Waterway; Ocean. Not seen in this photo: Pool (beneath deck); Beach (obscured by trees).

After naptime Zoe's herculean travel savvy started to tarnish.  Into fury.  So we packed the ailing babe child into the car and enjoyed an storybook drive to a floridian urgent care clinic.  It was one of those parenting moments...  Zoe flailing in inconsolable rage in the back seat. Driving in a strange city. In rush hour. Zoe screaming screaming screaming. No clear directions, and no GPS - just a gist of where we were headed - and the place had no roadside signage.  To further help us, both of our phones had been left in the condo...  We didn't even have a quarter to call someone who cares!

The good doc confirmed a that two of Zoe's ears were definitely infected. That's 100% of her poor ears!  Cara basked in victory (better to know the enemy), and we enjoyed a somewhat better drive back.  And what better solution to a double ear infection than a double pie feast?!?!  Grammy made a delicious chicken pot pie followed by key lime pie.  We'd have taken pictures, but we ate it all too quickly!

Wait a minute - who's reading to whom here?

Storytime with Grandpa...

Back home, Zoster was on the mend, and it was time for the grandparents to regale her with stories of the days of old.  Or boardbooks.  Either way, Zoe was totally into it.  The next day she was feeling better, so we ventured toward the water again, but we were stopped in our tracks by an unthinkable tragedy.  Zoe's waffles attempted mutiny and her snack cup consequently took an unexpected tack right off the pier. Into the ocean.

Help, help! Snack cup overboard! 

Zoe trembled with fear that her companion was gone forever; they'd come so far together.  Mama shuddered at the environmental impact; the oceanic garbage patch was big enough as it is. Papa pondered the financial impact; could they really afford another?  With the family in such dire straits, Grammy led the women and children indoors to safety while Papa foolishly watched and waited until the perfect low-tide opportunity to risk life and limb to recover the wayward cup.  Balanced between a manky old sailboat and a broken ladder, and with no onlookers to ridicule and videotape rescue him if he should fail, Tommy somehow plucked the cup from the sea with his feet.  The difference between heroism and foolhardiness? Victory. The snack cup was saved.*

How many trips to steal all the water from the old folks' pool?

Zoe Mae, of course, had since moved on to bigger and better cups, wholly unaware of the age old battle between man and sea.  The wee lass had discovered the other aquatic wonder of Florida - pools!  She loves 'em, and thankfully this condo had three: An 'owners' pool that none of us were allowed in; a 'guest' pool that was for potty-trained persons** only; and a tiny plastic kiddy pool, just for rock stars like Zoe.  

Be sure to tune in next time as we venture south of south of the border.

Here's lookin' at you kid.

* True story. Two days later, the snack cup was accidentally left behind in Florida, and is now being dutifully employed by Grandpa. There will be a(nother) reunion soon.

** A curious, but excellent, prerequisite in a retirement community if I do say so myself.