Final Three!

 We are winding down here on the west coast of Florida!  

Monday we drove to my sister’s home in Punta Gorda. She and husband Spence were delighted to see us. We got caught up on family news and looked at books and photos she is working with for posterity. She was raised in my dad’s family and I was raised in my mother’s so we both know different relatives!  But we get along famously. They both have had health issues so we had lots to cover.

We left for dinner at a local BBQ bar where I got fish!  I hoped it was fresh from the ocean,  Not sure if it was but it was delicious! 

We left later than we expected to so we arrived in Fort Myers after dark. Our GPS led us right to our motel but we were stymied checking in using Register Assist computer to do so.  There is a guy on TV that tells you what to do.  Our first wrinkle was I made the reservation so he needed my DL!  So I went in and eventually got our keys spit out of the machine!  The motel was fine and breakfast was great.  We had maid service the next day so we were ok!  

Tuesday we drove to my brother’s condo that he is closing to sell this week and has bought a house in Rotunda West. So they were pretty sparse in what was not packed up yet. We sat at their dining room table with the balcony doors open with sunshine and a warm breeze enveloping us! 

For dinner we went to Bimini Bait Shack Bar where I chose tuna. Again, a good choice.  Last time we were all down for a vacation on Sanibel Island we had eaten here. We had seen each other last August at the shooting competition in Marion OH so not so much family news to share. But we enjoy visiting. Dan is probably the relative of mine Ted is closest to. 

Wednesday we visited Lee and Ira, camping folks that we have enjoyed trips with.  They lost their motorhome during Hurricane Ian and because of their age chose not to replace it.  So we are both in the same boat with no RV!

They have a very nice house in a beautiful neighborhood.  Ira can do anything and was so proud to show us how he took a three piece entertainment center to make it for a much larger TV. What a beautiful job he did!  

We went to Bahama Breeze where I had coconut shrimp. Third day to eat fish!  I wish we had more time to spend with them but Ted wanted to make Lake City by dinnertime.  We made it, stayed in an Econo Lodge, had a burger at Culver’s and turned in in time to watch Survivor!  I remember who got voted off and then nothing!

We took off about 10 o’clock. Ted has been taking NyQuil for a cold so I let him sleep until he woke up on his own.  We missed the breakfast closing time of 9:00 so somewhere in Florida we stopped at Waffle House where I was charged $7 for TWO scrambled eggs. 

We will stop somewhere in Louisiana and finish up tomorrow.  There is nothing pressing at home until Thursday so we can take our time.  I haven’t mentioned the three family members who passed away recently, all younger than me.  David Homer, Kellie Ruhe and David Reik.  They lived in Florida, Ohio and Kentucky.  Lives cut way too short.  It has been a very good 2+ weeks on the road for us but these deaths remind us to always be kind because at some point it will be the last time you speak to someone.