As much as I love Rochester, it’s also fun to get away and see something new, especially in winter. To state the obvious, you see things in Florida that you don’t see in Rochester. From my travels this year I’ve discovered that you know you’re not in Rochester when you find a coconut shell on your morning walk.

You know you’re not in Rochester when the streets have names like Turtle Beach Lane.

You know you’re not in Rochester when you find yourself walking with a turtle.

You know you’re not in Rochester when your neighbor has a mailbox shaped like a manatee.

You know you’re not in Rochester when your landscaping has more to do with stones than plants.