BLUE SKY AHEAD

Saturday, March 3, 2012

A Nature Walk

After the beach, we went up Rt. 1A1 to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. We walked along two different trails for a good 3 miles.
See the bridge in the distance? We had to go over that to cross the Indian River. Very windy up there on a scooter!!!
Click on images to enlarge:

Wabasso Beach

So we took the scooters down Rt. 1 south about 2 miles and then crossed over Indian River (which is what our Campground is on). Now on A1A, which runs along the Atlantic. We went to Wabasso Beach.

Friday, March 2, 2012

That was impressive...he said. Never again...she said.

So we are going around the area on our Scooters today. We stop at the Chamber of Commerce, and find out there is a Walmart about 3 miles up the road. Now, Rt. 1 is a four lane road, with a divider, 2 lanes each way. We are going along about 35 (speed limit is 45) and Jim moves into the left lane, as I spot Walmart ahead on the left. I look in my rear-view mirror, and I'm not as lucky. I'm driving along, as these cars pass me, and I slow down, which makes more cars move over to the left lane to pass me. I finally get in the left lane and catch up to Jim. He's in a left turn lane, in front of St. Sebastian's Church. I think he is going to take the left...pull into the Church, and come back out and go...oh no...not Jim....He pulls a U-turn. He's got the Scooter angled down to a foot from the ground, and I am right behind him, quickly realizing we are NOT pulling into their driving...I see a gully...and oncoming cars...and now I'VE GOT THE SCOOTER DOWN TO A FOOT FROM THE ROAD.
We get to the Walmart, and we're taking off our helmet's. He says..."that was quite impressive back there...but I really should not have done that". I said, "no you should not have. And I will never do that AGAIN".....and we walk into the Walmart....where I almost knocked a man on his butt, because I had a backpack on, that has wheels, and a handle, like a rolling piece of luggage...yeah...and I backed up, right into him....he was about 5.4 and I was very apologetic.....

End of the 1st day

While Jim slept on the beach...I think I got a little carried away with the vegetables for the grill tonight...That concoction next to the asparagus is a vinaigrette from the Weber Grill Cookbook. (for my smart-ass friends, the stuff in the plastic bag is Kosher Salt...)

Asparagus & Prosciutto With Lemon Vinaigrette
2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
1 Tbs. finely diced shallot
2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 lbs. asparagus
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
4 tin slices prosciutto, about 2 ounces total

Prepare the grill for direct cooking over medium heat.

In a small bowl whisk the vinegar, shallot, lemon zest, and mustard. Slowly drizzle and whisk in the oil until it is emulsified. Season with the salt and pepper.

Remove and discard the tough bottom of each asparagus spear, usually two-thirds of the way down the spear. Brush the cooking grates clean. Grill the asparagus and the prosciutto over direct medium heat with the lid closed as much as possible, until the asparagus is tender and the prosciutto is crisp, turning once or twice. The asparagus will take 6 to 8 minutes and the prosciutto will take 1 to 2 minutes.

Arrange the asparagus on a platter and spoon on the vinaigrette and crumble the crispy prosciutto on top.