Have you ever had to retell a story after you’ve already told it? Well in this case, I have to let’s say re-blog this trip from day one….like really was I hacked or did I pull a Bruno and “toss it in the trash”?
Last year we did this same trip almost in reverse order; however visiting the same people and doing different things. On this trip we were priveledged to add a couple more people, one of which was unexpected.
So here we go in pictorial and written perspective.
This was a one night stay in Morrisville, NC so that we could break the travel down and also hit our favorite restaurant. In my honest opinion, our most romantic dinners happen here.
Of course it’s always nice to have a special treat such as a martini. One thing about Scott, he loves to make special moments.
We always like pics of sunsets and sometimes you get good ones, so I will try to share all the evenings that we caught them, this being the first.
The next day, we headed out to Jensen Beach to meet up with our friends, Pat and Roger. This year being extra special as they purchased their first snowbird home and they would no longer have to drive the fifth wheel down, which makes us happy as that drive concerns us.
Here are just a few shots from that portion of the road trip.
Once we arrived we got the tour of their home, here are just a few of those shots.
So as the story goes one must eat; therefore Pat and Roger found us a nice place, but unfortunately no room out on the deck at Shuckers.
The next day, I took a little video shoot (open link in blue) and then we went on an excursion to an oceonagraphic spot.
Scott really enjoyed the feeling of the stingrays. There is a story to tell about the turtles here in that they can never be placed back into the ocean due to a buoyancy issue.
So then something awesome happened. Just after posting the above video on Instagram, I received a comment that said this is crazy that’s where I am….well it was a long time friend of my daughter Becca. Erica now lives in Florida and shared with me that she works at the boathouse in Stuart, so of course, we had to have lunch. So off over the bridge to the boathouse we go.
Besides having a great waitress, we had a great dish as well an Ahi Tuna Stack. If you have never had one, you need to do so. Yum for the Tum.
Also on the 2nd day we spent some time on he beach and watched Roger fishing. Then we had a friend visit, whom I had never actually met. Her brother Kyle is my sisters boyfriend and she happens to live in West Stuart.
Later on in the day we sat outdoors in their lini and enjoyed a delicious dessert of strawberry shortcake.
As I am putting back this replication for my fans, I may leave out a moment or two or even add others that had been missed, so feel free to leave comments for me. Please also feel free to share this blog with others.
The next day we decided before leaving for the keys we would walk the beach. Now let me tell you, I found a ton of unique shells and we watched some fish beong reeled in by the early morning fishermen.
Above is the man responsible for the whole trip; therefore he must be given credit. Below see if you can find a hidden creature.
So now we have said our good byes and are on our way to the keys for three days.
Above is our first sunset at a local restaurant, which we went to with the friends we had meant the yesterday before and intentially planned to be there at the same time this year. We really enjoyed our time with Karen and Larry last year so it was a must this year.
As you notice we had some props, see below my new friend.
Now already our second day in the keys, we decide to meet u with our friends on the two Mile Bridge where they would be fishing.
We got to see Karen catch many fish, must have been Larry’s off day. Here is one catch that was fun for Karen.
Later on as we are sitting out on our deck and everyone was back from daily excursions, we find the another neighbor in our block was still fishing within site. Well he caught something big. Les and his wife are here from England and their stay is a month long. Hit the video link below to see his sting ray catch…which he released and in the video, you will see Larry helping him release and you will hear Les’s wife commenting on her husband being mental.
Here are some pics as well of that catch.
Now time for the day two sunsets, this time at Edgewater.
The pic below is of the new setup on the deck, which we very much enjoy over last yes set up as the umbrellas and high chairs are an added touch. They made some other changes to, due to the fall 2017 hurricane that hit the keys.
The above is last year’s set up…..these chairs are now out front, which makes for another added improvement.
Now on to the third day which we find ourselves on the way to scuba dive. We get to Marathon and decide to eat at the Seven Mile Restaurant and as we are eating we get a call that they have cancelled due to a search and rescue on the reef they go to. However, they gave Scott another hook-up which ended up being cheaper for us.
Had to get a snapshot of this next to the restaurant. Never know whom might be out on the seas.
We did not get a pic of me in the water, but I did enjoy it. We went to two sites the 2nd I did not go out on as the waves from the first stop got to me. You get tossed around looking down into the water. It was all good as I caught Scott in the water.
The last evening Scott and I returned to the local restaurant which is on a camp ground to catch a bite to eat and have a drink.
We also got in one swim at the pool where we met the neighbors to the left of us. Debbie and John are from Maine and we have connected on Facebook. Always nice to meet new people and make new friends.
If you know me, I always have to toss in some selfies, just prior to hitting the pool.
So the next three day leg of our trip takes us to Ft. Meyers to visit with John & Ellen.
We did a couple of really fun things. One of which was to visit the winter homes Edison and Ford.
So after that plan was made, we decide to go visit our Rochestarian neighbor’s home in Florida and to also purchase some orange juice.
The above visit on our third day was very enjoyable and so educational. As we age heritage is so much more important to us. Having been to Dearborn Michigan and going through the museum this was so appreciated.
He gave us some great info and so amazing the knowledge he has built up about these two families.
More pics in a slideshow below.
After this tour we were taken downtown to fort Meyers to go to a restaurant called Ford Garage.
Later in the evening, we had initially planned to go out to dinner; however we were all exhausted and decided to order pizza.
Now I must not leave out our second day, as they took us to a very special place that they have enjoyed many times.
We enjoyed the many wonders of nature such as Cypress knees and birds and our guide named many types of ferns to which we were to remember and were quized on. Our guide by the way was from Rochester. What a small world and the other people in the group were from Butler, PA. Some pics I have put in slide show while and separated the special ones.
After this tour we did some Baells shopping and then back to the house to prepare for a sunset tour. We got the best seats over the walkway bridge and could hear the band at the restaurant, to which we would have had to wait for a seat. No worry here as when we were at the house we prepared snacks and brought wine and glasses, picnic style.
Then of course we needed a bit more to eat.
The above pic was posted on Instagram via the directive on the coaster.
Now we are on to our last stay with friends, the Drago’s.
Just after arriving Andrew was ever so kind to make us a delicious lunch and a bloody Mary. We were happy to be there to see them and to check in on Mary after her recent injury.
After lunch Andrew took Scott and I out on a short fishing trip via their new boat. It was a great time and nice to see Scott smile after some good catches.
Then Andrew had to make it look like I caught something as well, therefore he handed me the rod to pull one in.
Sometimes you get a good pic like the one below.
A nice feature to this venture out to fish was the bridge we crossed over to arrive.
After fishing and exploring the bay and seeing a few dolphins we went back to their place where Andrew put together a steak dinner, I forgot to take a pic but I can say that Andrew ended up saving Scott from a piece of steak that somehow was choking him. Yikes….always a story.
The next day the boys went out to fish on their own while we girls went to a nail spa to get a pedicure.
We ate some of the mackeral as when fileting it, a piece flew back in the water. Crazy stuff happens sometimes. In any event, it was a great one dinner appetizer.
My feet turned out to be a very nice choice of color. This experience was different too as the woman to the left of Mary had bejeweled nails and was running her business via phone while she was getting a pedicure.
When we arrived back the guys were still fishing. Mary and I had a visitor that day and we have named him/her Herman.
Now check out this video of this wonder.
Now for the handsome fish that the men caught.
That’s one happy man right there. We have Andrew to thank for that.
We actually ate half this guy….the other half jumped back in when Andrew was fileting it. Boy he should have cast in a pole then.
So after that Andrew made some awesome Ravioli.
They are an awesome couple. We love them very much. So happy we were still able to visit with Mary having had surgery on her arm. It was also nice to be able to help her some while there.
The third day Scott and I took a trip into St Pete while they worked on some personal business and walked around a bit. On the way back we went to a cool place…. unknown name at the moment. There we had some Ahi Tuna and actually met some one from Rochester. We got his card because he owns a painting business here.
The pic above is later in the evening on our third and last night at the Drago’s, where we had appetizers up on the 11th floor. The pic of the beach was taken from there.
After appetizers we went back to their home and I helped Mary get the chicken in the over and Scott made us an awesome ceasar salad……while we were in town earlier, we picked up anchovie paste, a major ingredient for the salad. Andrew was like a kid dipping into the tube of paste. We are sure he will be purchasing that for himself.
Our next stop was Morganton NC. We stopped just before getting to the Inn at a great Mexican Restaurant. The food and drinks were great.
After we enjoyed a great two nights at the Inn and we actually found some property that Scott made and offer on and he hopes to close in May. We will be making another trip down in a couple of weeks.
The third pic here would be the view…. which would be more spectacular from a house. The second pic is a view when driving into this gated community and the first pic is of a neighboring new build three sites away from in the framing of house.
The above are from our room at the http://innatglenalpine.com/mobile/
The last leg of our trip was to visit Butch and Jaye in WV…long time childhood friends of Scott’s. We always enjoy the company the food and the drinks along with some of their family as well. Here is a sample…smoked salmon served up with crackers and cream cheese.
Now let’s not forget a pic they showed us of Scott at 18.
That’s the end of our trip…. However there will be more pics to come from another camera.
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