Just Cruisin

Because of the marvelous reviews I have been getting on my writing and photos I have decided to write one more blog. Sooo here I go. Yesterday we got ready to go to the sand catsle compitition on the Fort Myers Beach.

From here to there 7 miles. The one really bad thing here is the traffic. It took over an hour to get there. Then they want $10 to park and $10 more for the admission. Well for those of you who know me you have to be thinking "There is no way Herbie is going to pay that to see a pile of sand", and you would normally be right but in a weaker moment I pull in to the parking lot. Lucky for me I ask if dogs are allowed on the beach, because most places they are. " I don't think so and no you can't get your money back". Well Mama didn't raise no fool, I leave. We drive up the beach a mile or so, park for free and we all walk on the beach. Because this year has been warmer than normal the sting rays have come early,

by about a month. The rays like to come right up to the shore line and bury themselves in the sand. When they do that you can't see them until you step on them. Of course they don't like that and then you get stung. Can be real bad, as bad as death. These are pretty small so I don't think you die but you hear about people going to the hospital. After walking the beach for about half and hour Karens done so we head back to the camper. The worst part of here is the traffic. Between the familiys on vacation and all the spring breakers it gets bad. 2, 2 1/2 miles to the beach can take an hour or more in the car. We were going on a gaming cruise that evening so I told Karen I think I am going to take my bike back to the beach. She says your crazy it is 85 degrees out. So of course I get on my bike and head out. It was fun because cars litteraly go slower that people walk. The biggest draw back is the bridge at the beach

. Its really steep but when I got to the top I stopped took pictures and watched the traffic just crawl by.

 Then I went to the boat dock and get the low down on it. Walked around the beach for a bit and then headed bach here to the pool. After a short swim and shower it is time to drive back to the boat dock. Needed to allow nearly an hour. After arriving only about 45 minutes later I go to buy the tickets. Now we find out you need a picture ID to get on because you are going out into international water. Karen doesn't have one. Lucky for us they call a cop over with a good sence of humor. Half a dozen questions and she is cleared to leave the country.

 The cruise is $10 for over a 6 hour trip. A real deal, plus for another $14 you get a dinner buffet.  You don't have to take the food.   The food was great, after dinner we go out on the deck to enjoy the trip.

Soon we were being escorted by 4 or 5 dolphins.

 They played in the wake of the boat for 4 or 5 minutes. After about 1 1/2 hours we arrive in international waters and let the gaming begin. Karen not so good, me a free trip plus a little extra. At 10:30 we head back in. Gaming done so they start playing music and another buffet if you want to pay another $10. That number seems to be comming up a lot today.

The trip was really worth the money as long as you can control your losses. Today was very slow. Temp hit 90 & a little humid, so going on another bike ride was out of the question. Went in the pool this afternoon and a walk after dinner. Talking a little rain again tomorrow but won't be much and again after 5.
Enough for now, I guess I will save all those pictures of Karen for later, OH what the heck just one,

Post again soom maybe, going home soon.  Herb

PS sorry about the dolphin viedo, but I am still learning and my teacher is busy.

Fort Myers, the every day

Just a quick update today April 1st, April fools day .  Seems like we have just been relaxing.  The weather has been absolutely perfect.  It rained  last Tuesday.  Typical rain for here this time of the year, 1.5 to 2 inches of rain in less than one hour.  Yesterday  the prediction was for a big storm.  It did storm all day in Tampa across the state to Titusville.  They had some really bad weather but by the time it got here we only got 1/4" of rain, and that was after 9 PM.  Florida is really dry and needs all the rain they can get right now so this will help.  Nice thing about the rain is it has been late in the evening, usually after 8, 9 o'clock   Speaking of Titusville the space shuttle is on the launch pad being prepared for launch April 19.  They have said it has sustained minor hail and some storm damage but nothing serious.  We are staying here until the 17 of April, thanks David, and I am thinking about driving over and watching the launch if it isn't postponed.

We have been spending more and more time in the pool. 

 

 Every day the temperature creeps a little higher.  Usually 83 to 85.  Every activity has a group of regulars and the pool is no different.  We have made new friends, some local, others from the USA, and then the Canadian's. 

 

 I have to say they are the friendliest bunch we have ever met.  Because they can only be out of Canada for no more than 180 days a year a good share of them have had to leave by today.  The park seems real quiet today.  Being the 1st of the month plus the exodus of the Canadians. 

 Speaking of the end of the month the last Wednesday in March the park has what they call a "black top party". 

 

 We knew about it but didn't really know what it was.  Just another reason for everyone to get together one last time.  Food, beer, wine, ice cream, soda, and popcorn.  Also man and woman singers and band.

 

  Mostly songs from the 60s and earlier.  The local NBC affiliate sent reporters to cover the event.   It was a real gas.  People were going around selling 50/50 tickets.  This was one of those people,

 

the one in the yellow shirt, I know Karen had a good time and so did I. Because we needed a wrist band for the block party, which were free,  the day of the party we needed to find someone who could get us one.  Because of that we also found out about "Happy Hour".  Those tickets you had to purchase.  It was the last party for the year, food and beer, & soda.  Rum will be supplied by me. 

Today, this morning at the ungodly  hour 9:30AM was the last bicycle ride.  Karen thought THAT would be a good idea, I had to get up early.  We show up at 9:15 to find 170 other bicyclist. 

 

 They don't leave the park so how far can it be?  That's when one of the organizers tells us 6 miles.  I didn't like that but he also said free coffee and donuts at the end.  You ride two by two, intersections are blocked off.  Impressive.  

 

 It was quite a ride but we made the coffee and donuts, oh coffee and donut and lucky to get that.  Old people sure like there donuts.  Tonight we went to the Happy Hour party.  Food, beer, and wine.  Horse races were held and then music by a DJ until 9 pm.  It was a good time.

Yesterday was the start of the beach sand castle competition on Fort Myers Beach.  We plan on going to that tomorrow and I am sure pictures will follow.

Well short and sweet, that's the way I am.  Our adventure is getting close to its end but we are having a grand time.

One last thing, to our friends Steve & Karen who are on vacation in there motorhome out west, we hope by the time you read this your motorhome is up and running again.  I lost a few injectors while I was driving truck.  Doesn't take long to install but sometimes the wait for delivery takes the longest.  Good Luck to you.  That's it for now.

Herb