West Palm Beach in Spring 2008

Entire Photo Album
March 15th, 2008
We flew Delta Airlines from Raleigh Durham RDU to Fort Lauderdale FLL. Dad and Betty picked us up and we headed north to Singer Island.
We stopped at the place they were staying on Park Ave and went out to see the ocean at Rivera Beach. We walked up the beach to the Hilton Singer Island Oceanfront Hotel and had Pina Coladas at Coconuts on the Beach.
March 16th, 2008
Rivera Beach Oceanfront.
March 17th, 2008
Loggerhead Hospital on Juno Beach. Check out MarineLife.org. Since it was St. Patricks Day we went to Duffy's in Palm Beach Gardens for green beer.
March 18th, 2008
Lion Country Safari. Check us out feeding a giraffe and watching flamingos on YouTube. Check out www.lioncountrysafari.com. Back on the beach, we witnessed a young man reeling in a black tip bull shark. That evening we drove downtown West Palm Beach to check out the night life on Clemetis Ave.
March 19th, 2008
Dad turns 74! Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, Loxahatchee River Historical Society. Too Jays for lunch. Checked out a rental in Jupiter. Outback for dinner.
March 20th, 2008
Wind and rain kept us from going on the boat tour. We ended up back on the beach and
Dad and Betty hung out by the pool. We walked up to the Hilton and watched the full moon glisten on the ocean while listening to a lame oh DJ try to entertain a wedding party. We danced a little bit and went back and watched TV.
March 21st, 2008
Post Office to ship stuff to PBO. Got gas and went to the AutoSpa. Sailfish Marina to go on the Palm Beach "Now and Then" Tour.
March 22nd, 2008
We flew Delta Airlines from Fort Lauderdale FLL to Raleigh Durham RDU.

Tampa Bay in Fall 2007

September 26th, 2007
We flew Delta from RDU to TPA (Us). Upon arrival we picked up a Kia at Enterprise and went to visit Sally, Jake, Debbie & Kel.
September 27th, 2007
Downtown Tampa Bay features a 2 story shopping center called Channelside. (Jean) Cafe Dufrain.
September 28th, 2007
The Salvador Dali Museum. Grocery shopping at Publix.
September 29th, 2007
Fort De Soto Park. Howl at the Moon.
September 30th, 2007
Starship Lunch Cruise (Slideshow)
October 1st, 2007
Blue Dolphin Cafe and North Sarasota Target. The Lime Tree of Lido Beach in Sarasota (Slideshow)
October 2nd, 2007
Columbia Restaurant.

October 3rd, 2007

Jackson Hole in Summer 2007

July 10th, 2007
We flew American Airlines to Jackson Hole bouncing off of Dallas. We were shuttled to National for a Nissan Maxima. We checked in to the Parkway Inn. We had lunch at the Saddle Rock Saloon where the hostess and waiter sang to us. We went shopping around the shops in downtown Jackson Hole. Wild Exposures, West Lives On, Wild West Designs. We set out to Grand Teton National Park and Teton Village and took a Gondola Ride at the Bridger (SlideShow), then to the boat ramp at Jenny Lake (SlideShow). We had dinner at El Ambiguella.
July 11th, 2007
After dipping in the hot tub we had a buffet at the Teton Steak House. We visited the Town Square (SlideShow) to shop for water shoes at Jack Dennis Sports. We scheduled a Snake River rafting trip at Barker-Ewing. We had lunch at Bubba's BBQ. We traveled by bus to West Table Dock. Issac was our guide and took us from the West Table Dock to Sheep Gulch. The Gun Barrel (SlideShow). Jackson Hole Rodeo (SlideShow). The Snake River Brewery.
July 12th, 2007
We had breakfast at Jedediah's House of Sourdough, then traveled to the Grand Teton National Park (SlideShow), Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls (SlideShow) and hiked up to Inspiration Point (SlideShow). Jens Gade took us on a Barker-Ewing scenic cruise from Deadman's Bar to Moose Landing. Route 89 Restaurant. Snake River Grill. Silver Dollar Saloon in the Wort Hotel. Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Pictures from Amy & Hank (SlideShow)
July 13th, 2007
Yellowstone National Park. Mammoth Hot Springs (SlideShow). Sheepeater Cliff (SlideShow). Norris Geyser Basin (SlideShow). Gibbon Falls (SlideShow) Old Faithful Inn and the Old Faithful Geyser @ 6:05pm, 7:40pm and 9:05pm.
July 14th, 2007
Old Faithful Inn & Upper Geyser Basin (SlideShow). Old Faithful Geyser @ 4:15am, 6:48am, 8:46am (SlideShow). Grand Prismatic Springs (SlideShow). Fire Hole Lake & Swimming in the Fire Hole Canyon (SlideShow). Canyon Village. North Rim Inspiration Point (SlideShow). Hayden Valley (SlideShow). Lake Village. Yellowstone Lake Hotel (SlideShow). Fishing Bridge.
July 15th, 2007
Yellowstone Lake Scenic Cruise (SlideShow). West Thumb Geyser Basin (SlideShow). Colter Bay (SlideShow). Grant Village. Jackson Hole. Wort Hotel. Silver Dollar Grill. Parkway Inn.
July 16th, 2007
Parkway Inn. National Car Rental. Jackson Hole Airport (SlideShow).

San Diego in Spring 2007

April 11th, 2007
We flew American Airlines to Palm Springs bouncing off of Dallas. We scooped up my Mom at the airport, rented a Taurus from Hertz and drove west to San Diego. We were amazed at the windmill farms. We rented two rooms at the TravelLodge in the Hotel Circle and had lunch at the Mission Valley Diner. We drove to the Old Town Market to buy tickets for the Old Town Trolley. There was a detailed display of the history of San Diego. We jumped onto the trolley. The driver Larry took us on a trip to the
San Diego Harbor, home of the Midway Aircraft Carrier, Seaport Village, Marriott Hotel & Marina, Horton Plaza Shopping Center, Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado, San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park / El Prado. The view from the bridge that crosses over to Coranado is great. We returned to the Old Town Market and had a Mexican dinner at Fred's.
April 12th, 2007
We had breakfast at the Mission Valley Diner then went to Sea World. Following are the photos from Sea World: Anheuser-Busch 50 state flags. Jean, Clydesdale, Mom, Jean and myself, Dolphin, Polar Bear, Walrus, Penguins, Beluga whale. They had huge tanks with manatees and a glass tunnel that went through the shark tank. Jean in shark jaws, panarama looking out over the bay, Ducks, Flamingos (Slideshow). "Believe", featuring Shamu (SlideShow). Loggerhead, Tropical Fish and Jellyfish. "Dolphin Discovery", featuring Dolly (SlideShow). "Clyde & Seamore's Risky Rescue" (SlideShow). Cabrillo Monument and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The monument contains 160 acres at the tip of the Point Loma peninsula, which reaches an elevation of 422 feet. It has a breathtaking view of San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. Jean & I, San Diego & Coranado, Mom, Jean & I, The Monument, Lighthouse Lens, Lens color, Coast Guard Ship (SlideShow). In the evening we drove to Coranado Island and had an exquisite dinner at Ocean 1500 inside the Hotel Del Coranado. Pictures from walking around the Hotel. Nathan, Jean's nephew, and Courtney (SlideShow). We missed seeing the Ghost of Kate Morgan.
April 13th, 2007
Breakfast at Mimi's Cafe. Nathan and Courtney's place with many tropical plants and trees. Balboa Park (SlideShow), Museum of Man (SlideShow), Museum of Art and Photography, The Fountain (SlideShow), Rose Garden (SlideShow) and Museum of Air and Space. Coranado City Beach and then went to dinner at Il Fornaio.
April 14th, 2007
We got off to an early start heading east. We stopped at The Morongo Casino and had breakfast. Next we dropped in on Kitty and Bill, friends of my Mom, in Yucca Valley. They have two houses with beautiful views. The larger, more outstanding house is just being completed and they are moving from one to the other. We drove to 29 Palms and stopped at the Oasis of Mara, the north entrance of the Joshua Tree National Park, we drove to the Jumbo Rocks, Sheep Pass, Ryan Mountain and stopped at Keys View (SlideShow). Keys View is 5185ft and overlooks the Little San Bernardino Mountains, Desert Hot Springs, Indio Hills, Palm Springs, Catherdral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indio known as the Coachella Valley. We had a late lunch at Applebee's. Our next stop was at Judy's home, a friend of my Mom, to retrieve her car. We went onto the Comfort Inn in Palm Desert. Mom came back and took us to an awesome show (SlideShow) called The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. After the show Mom took us on a tour of landmarks and cool places in the cities of the Coachella Valley.
April 15th, 2007
We toured El Paseo Drive. There was an attempt to go to The Living Desert, but it would have taken all day. We met Mom and went to the Street Market at The College of the Desert. We had lunch at Foster's Deli, then went to a huge second hand shop in Catherdral City. Then we went to a Friendship Dinner at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage. There we had a parting dinner with my Mom and her friends (SlideShow).
April 16th, 2007
Early flight to Dallas, and then onto Raleigh.

Joseph John Toste (1913 - 2007)

My Grandpa was modest when speaking of himself. He wished he had finished school but the things that he taught they didn't teach me in school. He taught unconditional love in the way he treated Lady. Bravery in the way he was with Toby. Dexterity when he baked and decorated. How to pay attention to things that really mattered. What it means to be a dime a dozen. How to be a collector. That hard work really pays off. Patience from sitting in the boat on the lake with the water all still watching the bobber. Tolerance when I dropped his favorite pole in the murky sound. Understanding when Grandma gave him a piece of her mind, and how to be a dreamer so you can have peace of mind.
I stand here before you in celebration of his life. The way he cared for others, the way he cared for his wife. The baker he was spending many an hour. He had business going using the power of flour. The dreamer he was, The two dollar bills. The fishing boat, Golfing on the hills. The match book collection, The doughnut holes. The way he looked over the glasses on his nose. The time that he spent explaining the details
When he came home the dogs wagged their tails. Grandmas homecooking, The smell of cigars. Bowling with friends, late nights playing cards. Grandpa moves on to beyond and above. Leaving so many friends and the family he loved. Safe travels Grandpa

This is Alicia's addition. Alicia is one of 18 great grandchildren, Aunt Jo's grandchild and Joey's child. She read this at the post funeral gathering at the Delevan VFW Hall.
I have something so special that most kids never get, I got to meet my great grandpa!!!! My grandpa is special in so many ways, I remember a little snow globe with a golf ball in it and you had to try to get the gold ball on the tee!!!! whenever I would go over and visit I would try but I never got it!!!! I also remember that Grandpa had this little bowl of candy, He would always want to make sure that I had one, I would get there and he'd be like "get a candy" then a little while later he would say "did you get a candy yet, go ahead grab a few pieces." I feel so blessed that I had a chance to get to know my great grandpa. I also realize that the reason they call him a GREAT Grandpa is because he truly was great in so many ways I can't tell you them all!!!!!
Alicia Mueller

This is Catherine's addition. Catherine is the first of 11 grandchildren. Millie's daughter. She read this after the communion part of Grandpa's funeral mass.
I am standing upon the sea shore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the
morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says; "There, she is gone!" "Gone where?" Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at that moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!" There are other eyes watching her and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying. - Henry Van Dyke

To view Millie's addition please visit cory-toste.com

T.H.A.N.K.S.

View a WebSlideShow
My Mom was visiting last October and really enjoyed the Trail for Health, Art and Nature for Kids to Seniors. She asked me to take photos of the trail and each of the the WORLDTrail work out stations.

North Carolina County History

Click here to view a map of North Carolina, or click here to view the formation of the North Carolina Counties.