Dec 25th to Jan 1st - Florida

Dec 25th - Thurs - MERRY CHRISTMAS
Another sunny, hot day - not Christmas at all!
In between phone calls this morning, I updated the blog and put a sweet potato casserole together for later.
We attended the Christmas dinner at the park at 3:00. The park provided turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing and gravy. The hostess of each 16 person table organized everyone to bring all the rest - appetizers, salad, baked corn, sweet potatoes, the mandatory green bean casserole and desserts. They also beautifully and differently decorated their table and provided a small gift for each person. At out table, we each received a small glass ornament - quite delicate so not sure what we will do with ours. We did not know anyone at our table but sat across from a friendly couple from Pennsylvania so had someone to chat with during dinner.
Our neighbors Paul & Lorraine (and Lorraine’s sister Bev) were sitting out when we returned. I gave them the leftover sweet potatoes for their dinner and we joined them for a drink while they ate. We pulled out a buddy burner and ended up visiting until nearly 9.

Dec 26th - Fri - Naples
Terry decided to wash the truck today and discovered that the new ends that he put on our 50 foot hose were not very good - they just blew off when he attached the nozzle. So out on a shopping expedition. When Terry & I both got shoes a few days ago, we received a $10 certificate to be used on 12/26 thru 12/28 so I had to stop in at Bealls for a pair of sandals as a couple of pairs of OLD, CHEAP slips ons bit the dust. When we returned, Terry washed the truck with our new hose.
We went for a bike ride in the late afternoon and stopped to see the couple (George & Vicki) that we met at the Christmas dinner. They had an incredible amount of shells that they collected on nearby beaches during the 2 months that they have been here - including sand dollars, starfish, sea urchins and a sea horse. We were not impressed with the shells that we saw on the beaches but found out that you have to go early in the morning (6:30 - 7!!!) before the shells are picked over. Vicki makes “crafty” items with the shells but was looking for more ideas to use the amount of shells that they had picked up this time.

Dec 27th - Sat - Naples
We picked up Gary & Carie for a trip to Costco today - they don’t have a Costco card so we said we would take them with us. We had to stock up on the thin buns that we have not been able to find in the US and that Billy & Lori found for us in Costco. Of course we had to have a hot dog there for lunch. We dropped off perishable items at Gary & Carie’s rig and went on to a large shopping center where Carie & I looked for some shoes for her while the guys enjoyed a beer. Then we had to stop for ice cream as Gary & Carie said it was really good - and it was.
When we went to pick up Gary & Carie, we saw a familiar motor home in their park. Paul & Vicki that we stayed with in Ft. Lauderdale had returned from the keys and had just arrived in Ft Meyers. They weren’t home so I left a note on their door. While we were still out the Gary & Carie, Vicki called to say that they were near our RV park and wanted to come see us. They had not returned to their rig yet to see my note so where amazed when I told them about it. After returning Gary & Carie to their place, we stopped for a chat with Paul & Vicki. It is so incredible how we keep meeting up with people.
We had to hustle home and grab a bite to eat as George & Vicki were going to drop by to see our rig and discuss truck tow ratings. Ray (next door) had consumed a large amount of wine with some friends and joined us to provide a lot of laughs with his witty, honest comments.

Dec 28th - Sun - Naples
We met Billy & Lori at 10 this morning to go on a canoe trip. We rented 2 person canoes and put them into the Estero River right from a dock at the rental place. The river is tidal and had very little current while we were on it but there was a slight breeze behind us as we headed out so we kept that in mind when deciding how far to go. You can go about 4 miles to the Gulf of Mexico but we turned around after about 1 ½ hours and found a place to beach the canoes and have lunch. A steady paddle back and we made it in our allotted 3 hour time frame. There was not a lot of wildlife but it was very pretty with trees hanging over the water.
We decided to make laundry more enjoyable by using the laundry room right by the pool and swimming while the machines were running. Works quite well.

Dec 29th - Mon - Naples
Busy day today. We are allowed to wash vehicles in this park so planned to clean up the 5th wheel today. Scrubbed both sides of the awning, the roof section that wraps down the side, wheels and of course the entire body. Also wiped it down to prevent water spots. It was sunny and hot so the occasional over spray of water felt great. We were just about done at about 11:30 when Carie called to see if we wanted to join them at Bonita Beach. A swim sounded wonderful so we said we would finish up, pick up a sandwich for lunch and call them when we got to the beach so we could find them. Before we could even get our suits on and leave, Carie called back to say that there were no parking spots available so, Plan B, they were going to Barefoot Beach. Just as we were parking at Subway, she called again to say the parking & distance to the beach was even worse so, Plan C, how about meeting us back at our park and driving together to Delnor-Wiggins State Park and only paying one entrance fee. By the short time later that we were both at the park, we had each decided the Plan D sounded better - eat our lunch and then go to the park pool! There were few people in the pool when we got there, the water temperature was perfect, the sun was hot when you got out and we had a great couple of hours.
Paul & Vicki had invited us for dinner so Terry & I had quick showers and were walking out the door when Colin & Linda from down the street showed up. Linda had been reading an entry in our blog about our barbeque light and they wondered what it was and where we got it. Terry showed it to them and told them if they wanted one we could pick one up as the store is just past the park where Paul & Vicki are staying. It is about 16 miles away and they are leaving on Wed so we figured they probably wouldn’t want to drive there just for the light. So, a quick stop to buy the light before collapsing on Paul & Vicki’s patio.
Nice dinner and nice company. We left quite early as we were both fading fast.

Dec 30th - Tues - to Sarasota FL
Finished packing up this morning, went to deliver the light to Colin & Linda and chatted with them a bit before saying goodbye to Ray & Claire and heading north. Just a short 2 hour drive to Sun N Fun RV park just east of Sarasota where we are staying for 2 nights. Set up, had lunch and hopped on the bikes to find Doug & Louise who we met in Shediac, New Brunswick. We hoped to meet up somewhere and have been keeping in touch by email. Finally worked out to get together if only for a short time.
We sat and chatted with them over a few cocktails and were joined by their friends Ed & Diane. Louise started bringing out snacks and then made tacos for all of us for dinner. How nice!!
This park has a restaurant and is having 2 sittings for New Years Eve dinner which Doug & Louise are attending. They tried to get us tickets for dinner and a dance to follow but their table was filled up, Doug & Louise went to Canada for Christmas and Diane didn’t know if we wanted to go so didn’t get tickets for us. Oh well, it was great visiting with them even if Terry rode right in front of me on his bike and caused me to run into him!

Dec 31st - Wed - Sarasota
Relaxed a bit this morning and then took a bike ride around the park. Put on 5 miles and didn’t even ride half of the roads. Then we went for a drive to see the area a bit - west to Sarasota, north along Hwy 41 near the coast and ending up at the Red Barn flea market. Shopped, had lunch and bought a couple of little items. On the drive back we stopped for diesel at $2.29. We needed propane to cook ribs tonight so Terry went in search of it since the park propane service closed at noon.
We joined Doug & Louise and 3 other couples for a drink before they went to the New Years’ dinner here at the park. We came back for our rib dinner and then went to the dance which was sold out but our new friends were given 2 extra wrist bands which got us in.
Had a great time dancing to a good band until 1 and then Doug & Louise and Ed & Diane came to our place for a nightcap that no one really needed. Can’t remember the last time that we went to bed at 2 am!

Jan 1st - Thurs - to Thonotosassa (Tampa) FL
I cannot believe that I let the blog get so far behind! I swore the last time that it happened that it would not happen again - who knew how busy we would be.
We left shortly after 10 for the hour drive to the Southern Aire RV park. Got all set up and were just finishing lunch when Billy & Lori showed up. We are both staying here for the month of January since the weather further north looks too cold. It is cooler and breezy today.
Terry & I went for a bike ride around the park which has about 400 spots with quite a few vacancies. Then I worked on the blog and Terry took a nap - all that dancing wore him out. Billy asked us to join them on a ride so we went exploring. Stopped at a grocery store and checked out a Bealls outlet next door where I found a pair of shorts. Back to the rig for dinner, blog & more napping.