Friends South

We got to be “those people” yet again when our friends Sally and Steve Gilliam came down with his brother and sister-in-law (Keith and SuEllen) in Keith’s center console fishing boat and anchored off FMB.  We have walked this beach many times over the last month and wondered: who were those people?  Keith and SuEllen live down here year round and gave us lots of tips on good restaurants and fun things to do when the kids are here.  As always we had a blast with the Gilliam’s and Sally and I got to catch up as did Steve and Fitz.  Then on Friday we went into Naples and picnicked with Marsha and the Tennyson’s at the park across from Marsha’s condo at Beacon House.  What fun to have friends with which to visit.  Storms due Saturday and Sunday with extra wind on Monday, we settle in to watch a little March Madness—NOT—what has happened to basketball when representing the homefront is MTSU –good for them but that is about all to brag about.   Even the Lady Vols are struggling- maybe NASCAR will be entertaining. 

SuEllen and Sally--Girlfriends should never be underestimated.

 

Cute Guys!

 

The gang came out to Sunny Days

 

Wedding on the beach--we thought they were going to run into the surf.

 

Picnicking with the buds.

 

Great place for sunset

 

 

Loved the yacht in the horizon

 

Fitz fixing the $3 flashlight--no project is too small.

FMB—this is how the locals refer to Ft. Myers Beach

The Shrimp Festival was great with a parade (still not as good as Canada Day's in Bobcaygeon but good), vendors/artists set up with their wares, great eats and terrific people watching.  Lots of people come here for the season and they seem to have the Happy Hours routine down pat—you sort of follow the crowds about 3-4pm and find the deals.  But you have to ask—at the recommended TiKi  Hut  the beers were $3 a piece which made us look at each other like:  this is not a good deal, but on further research we found out the tokens they handed you with the beer were good for another.  We still won’t go back unless we have cash—they want to keep your credit card and ring you up when you leave—we don’t go for that.  This week brought fog on the bay in the mornings and mid-80’s –we don’t complain.  Monday we sent off LiLa Blue—Larry and Linda are headed for the Keys then over to the Berry Islands near Bimini—may have to do that in the next couple of years.   Fitz and I are a little bored and fight for projects—I don’t care a thing about his mechanical projects (just that they work, then he is a happy camper) but when I start something he would like to micro-manage—we are having to work that out. While out provisioning at Walmart on March 15th,  the phone started ringing. First we get a text that our buddy Terry O’Donnell is headed to the CCU in Franklin—seems he had an aneurism waiting to happen and they went in and did a little patchwork on his artery.  Doing OK now but scared us for the day.  Then the rental agent on the “dirt” house called and said he had someone interested in renting for the next 6 months with the ability to rent for the next year.  We have been toying with moving back in in May or even selling.  Decisions, Decisions.  Then we get a serious call about Next Chapter –our houseboat we have had for sell for 3 years.  If that works out then there will be more decisions.   Happy St. Paddy’s Day everyone—2 years ago we were in Ft. Myers (the city) and enjoyed their celebration—now we are just down the road …full circle? 

Geriatrics show girls

 

Great cars were a big part of the parade

 

Loved the Outboard

 



Man Iron Apron??????

Turtle Art

Fog in the Bay

Living Life in the Mooring Field

This is a super busy waterway when the weather is perfect (except for exceptionally strong winds during the days) and spring break begins (Fitz calls it Urban Water Traffic).  This version of learning how to “squat” involves a five minute dingy ride to shore for shopping or any major exercise (a wet ride back when the strong current and the winds kick up).  There is great cell service but limited TV so keeping up with the news of the day or our favorite programs is spotty.  Since we have the car here we can go places but pretty much need to pick our times so that we will have a parking place when we get home.   Back home Katie had strep throat and I had a bad case of home-sickness because I could have helped out! She has forgiven me, I hope, and is on the mend.   It was so great to see Diann and Bruce Tennyson (who winter in Naples) at Coconut Jack’s in Bonita Beach—I needed a dose of friend badly and this worked.  I finished up my scanning project (digitizing all our photos) and Fitz did caulking work on the rub rails --if this is  retirement it is a good start. 

Great Sunset

 

Diann and Bruce were fun

 

Favorite t-shirt

 


Fitz getting some exercise--the wind and current were so strong it looked like he was sitting still

Big Adirondack Chairs seem to be Ft. Myers Beach yard art of choice 



Cool Beach buggies