Corey Billie's Airboat Ride Day!

This morning was an early rise, as we drove into Fort Myers to the Winn Dixie, where a van was picking us up and taking us to the Everglades for a four hour tour. Had we known where this airboat place was, we could have done it the day before while we were already out there for the Manatee tour. It was very close to the Marina.

This was cool. From the minute we stepped into the van, Dwight the tour guy started talking. He was mixing in some personal stories with a lot of history. It was a good ride out. We had 12 people on the van.

When we got to Corey Billie's we had to go in and sign away our rights to hold them responsible for anything that may occur on the tour! Eight of us boarded the red airboat with Capt. Gary. He was good. He toured and talked, introduced us to a gator or two, drove us all around the mangrove and through the saw grass. We saw quite a few big birds. He also gave us some thrills on the ride. It was really cool. I tried to video the whole thing, and did get some good footage.

After our ride, we were introduced to Buster the 3 foot 1 1/2 yr old gator. Kim Billie told us all about Buster and then had us hold him, one at a time. I was the first one to go. He felt so much different than I had imagined. I thought he would be hard shelled, but he was like rubber and soft. That was neat!

On our van ride back to Fort Myer's, Dwight continued talking and telling us stories. It was a good trip all round.

We stopped at a Pollo Tropical on the way back to the house, for lunch. It wasn't as good as I had remembered from Miami.

We got home to a pool that was just the right temp. We all went in the pool. I also spent some time in the jacuzzi.

We watched some of the video from this week. I am no video shooter! I move the camera around way too much!

John and Amber went out and got the fixings to make us dinner. We had shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta and cheesey biscuits. It was a great meal. Once again, filled to the brim.

Manatee Day

This morning we drove out past Naples, to the Everglades. We had a Manatee tour scheduled. It was cool. We went to this marina, boarded this pontoon type boat and trolled around the channel. We saw several manatees. There was another couple on board with us, Vito and his wife from Southern Connecticut. W also drove down the river and saw a huge alligator, in an inlet of sorts. He was sunning himself. It was a fun trip. We learned about the "skunk Ape" and about the island, out near Key West, where they did experiments on animals clonning, etc. Made for great story telling, don't know how much of what Capt. Jim Walker said was true, but it was part of the experience!

We stopped at the Cheesecake Factory for Linner on the way back to Cape Coral. Stuffed ourselves once again!

Monday on Sanibel

This morning we decided to go over to Sanibel. I had this bright idea, the night before, to hide a conch shell, that we had purchased, on the beach for Amber and John to find. The beach was way more crowded than we had anticipated, so it was harder to pull off. They didn't fall for it. We did however execute the plan with some success on a couple older gals, wading just off shore. They didn't jump up and down, as we had imagined, but picked up the shell and quickly bagged it.

We did see some dolphins playing around, right off shore. Like I said, there were quite a few people at the beach this day.

We rode around and found a place for lunch, Island Pizza. We ordered a pizza feast and ended up taking alot home.

We scoped out a perfect place to get some sunset shots for Amber. We stopped on the Causeway. We weren't the only people there.

We came home and did up some brats ate and relaxed in the hot tub.

A Different Kind Of Sunday

First full day in Florida. It was really nice waking up to the sound of the water flowing over the edge of the jacuzzi into the pool. It pure sunshine, gentle breezes. The clocks got set back last night, so we got an extra hour of sleep. Today's plan was to go up to the Turvis Tumbler Outlet in Venice and trade in the tumblers with cracks in their seals. I took back 8 for Sharon Potter. I only had one to turn in. They had a lot of new designs since I was last there. I picked up a couple new designs. Later found out that they have an outlet in Fort Myers as well. We stopped in at Sonny's B B Q for lunch on the way back to Englewood. We had to go by Mommy and Deac's to pick up a few things for them. We didn't stay too long. We stopped for a D Q on the way back to Cape Coral. We later went out to Chili's for dinner. with the time change, the jacuzzi had shut off, so the guys overrode the timer and we spent some time relaxin in the hot tub. After getting out and changed, I went back out to the patio. It was neat sitting out there at the table watching the colors in the pool change. Good day!

Travel Log: StarDate 11/05/2010

It started two days ago.... our 2010 vacation. Greg and I got up, finished packing and got the car loaded and were on the road, heading south by 6:00a.m. We drove over to John and Amber's to pick up their luggage. We were driving to Florida, but they were flying. So we took their luggage to make it a little easier on them. We got there right at 6:45. After briefly seeing Gonzo and Bella, we hugged Amber and got on the road.

Sheetz was our first stop! Gas and breakfast was first on the list of things to do. We stopped in Lumberton at Smithfield's for lunch. After all..... they have the best North Carolina style B-B-Q. I usually get a drumstick on the side, as their chicken is pretty darn good as well!

We made a couple other brief stops along the way, and still pulled in to Brunswick, Georgia right on schedule. We did make one unscheduled stop, not cause we wanted to.... but because the South Carolina Trooper pulled us over. A little matter of speeding. He was a nice guy and we were back on the road before you knew it.

After getting checked in, we headed out to find a fabric shop. Where this new Veracruz does not have the shade for the cargo area, I wanted to get some black fleece to lay over our stuff in the back. We ended up at Wal Mart, where they didn't have the fabric department, but we got a great deal on twin throws, that did the job.

I chose where we went for dinner. I chose Michael's Deli and it was a good pick. The prices were way cheap and the food was way good! Sounds like a win/win to me. I got a 21 piece fried fantail shrimp dinner, with mashed pots and gravy and green beans for $5.99. Greg chose a fried fish plate. It was very good!!

We wet back to the Hampton Inn and got settled in for the night. I sure was tired from driving.

The Bittersweet Replacement

After 5 years, a whole lot of good times and 197,775 miles; the Santa Fe (Betsy), was traded in. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I loved that vehicle. It was dependable, smooth riding and a "looker". Of late, it has been starting to show signs of it's age. It was bittersweet, but we recognized the need to trade, while it was still worth a trade-in. Greg and I talked it over and decided to enlist John's help with shopping for a replacement.

John went right into action. Knowing what we like, he was able to scout out the perfect replacement, in just a matter of hours! John has been working in the Dulles area, so on his way home from work he swung by the Pohanka dealership in Fredericksburg. He called to tell us that he had found what he thought we'd like. I drove over to John and Amber's. The three of us went to the dealership and took a test drive, long story short, we bought it!

It is a 2011 Hyundai Veracruz Limited. I have named her "Double L", which stands for Luxury Liner. From the heated leather seats to the back up sensors, she's loaded. With seating for 7, an incredible stereo system and personal climate control for all aboard, this is a luxury liner for sure!

Thank you John, for your love of car shopping and your expertise in dealing with car dealers! You got us a sweet deal for a sweet ride! A Big thank you to my honey for buying me this new car. You always give me your best! I love you!

My "Grandoggie" Blog

I was having trouble coming up with a topic for my blog. I had a couple ideas, but couldn't get them going. Well, I have finally come up with a topic. The last few times I have gone to church, as I have gotten out of my car, I have heard the dogs that live on a farm next door. I have been tempted to peep through the trees that separate the property, but haven't. You see, the dogs that live there, are small dogs. They sound so much like my "Grand Dogs", that it makes me really miss them. So, last night on the drive home from church, I decided that I was going to blog on each of the dogs. Maybe that will help with my missing them. The next 9 blog entries will be on each of my "Grand dogs." I will start out with the "Ladies", as it is only right. We all have been taught that "Ladies go before Gentlemen", so here we go.....

Dolly, a beautiful, warm brown, long haired Dachshund. Dolly is owned by my daughter, Emily, and her husband Jeff. I don't know exactly how old Dolly is, as she was a shelter dog. I first met Dolly when I was in Alabama, visiting Em and Jeff. They were volunteering at Little Tykes Small Dog Shelter in Daleville, near where they lived. Emily and Jeff took me up to the shelter to see what it was all about. My were there a lot of dogs there. They were all barking and running around. Dolly was off to the side in an enclosure, as she had recently given birth. The main focus was on the tiny ball of dark fur that she had produced. It was a female and it could fit in the palm of your hand. I don't know how Dolly ended up at the shelter, but it was God's plan, for which I am sure. With a heart for helping, the Gelzinis' brought Dolly and her newborn home to their house. I think the plan at first, was to provide some quieter surroundings, and some nurturing for the Mother and baby. Dolly had a medical condition at that time. She has a skin/coat problem. Perhaps it was due to stress, who knows. With some tender loving care, she was soon sporting a lovely coat. And with tender loving care, that "baby" grew and was named "Daisy." That "stay" turned into adoption. Dolly and Daisy never returned to the over crowded shelter, they had a new home and a new family that loved them.

When I think of Dolly, I have to smile. She is such a loving dog. It is fun to watch her eat. Mind you that there are now 9 dogs in the Gelzinis home. They all get fed at the same time. With a big self dispensing dog food bowl, Dolly will run up and grab a mouth full. She will then go find a quiet spot, away from the other dogs and munch on her food. When she is done, she will go back again and again following the same routine. It is cute to watch.

One of Dolly's "tricks" is to display her teeth in a grin, when she is told to smile. She will also do this when you say "cheese." It is really hard to get a good shot of her doing this, although I have a few, as she is usually jumping up your leg and the camera angle doesn't always get it. Dolly is also a "pants biter." She would never rip your clothes, or hurt you. It is as if she wants to get your attention. Living in a house with 8 other small dogs, you have to develop a method of getting your owner's attention, and she has.

One of the privileges that Dolly has, that no other dog in that household has, is to get to go to the groomers. When she goes and get's (excuse the pun), "dolled" up. She is exactly that....a doll. She comes back with a clean shiny, trimmed coat, smelling good, and with bows on her ears!

I hope this gives you a good "mental picture" of what Dolly is like. She is a true sweetheart. Just writing this makes me wish I could pick her up and get a snuggle.

Well, writing about the dogs, has not made me miss them any less....Perhaps even more.