Expats In Holland: From WV to FL

Our 5 weeks on the run took us to Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Florida. First with a trip to ol' PNC Park for a Pirates game.

Then to Morgantown, where we had some delicious steaks (as usual). :) Then to Charleston to see Sittee. We also had time to go to the new WV History Museum, and visit the Capital while we were there. Really interesting to learn more about our WV roots.

This is the famous statue outside of the capital building called Lincoln at Midnight, where he deliberated over West Virginia's statehood.

There was also this nice tribute to WV coal miners.

Then we headed back up to Wheeling, where we celebrated Meagan and Trevor's upcoming wedding with a shower!

The Shower was beautifully decorated (with Meagan's hard work and planning), though not as beautiful as the bride-to-be. We had a lot of fun. We're all very excited for the wedding... only a couple more months!

After the shower, we had a nice barbecue with the family back at the house. It is so relaxing for Chad and I to be back in West Virginia, to sit on a deck, look at beautiful green trees, and smell the fresh air, and to be with family and friends.

Then, it was off to Florida. We flew into Miami, then drove to Naples via Alligator Alley. Yes, it is the way it sounds. We made the drive with Ute, who flew in from Rotterdam to attend the conference in Naples with Chad.

We're trying to blend in so the alligators won't see us. ;)

Along the way, we stopped in Everglades National Park, where we walked on a trail not more than 15 feet from alligators in a canal. The wouldn't let you do it if it wasn't safe... right?

OK, let's play a little Where's Waldo-ish game: where's the alligator? Can you see it's eyes?

How about here?

OK, enough teasing. In a controlled park nearby, where we were up safely on an overlook, we saw this big boy! He was by far the biggest one we saw.

There is not much to say about Naples. Retirement homes and a couple 'resort' hotels along the beach. A very sleepy area with a lot of this:

Once back in Miami, Chad and I celebrated our 4 Year Anniversary! Chad found this amazing hotel, where our room was blue.

We went to one of the most luxurious South Beach hotels, The Delano, to have a $15 drink at the bar, and stroll around the pool.

You know, just waitin' on my girl Beyonce so we can hit the clubs (FYI: she and Jay-Z stay here when they come to Miami).