Saturday - October 17

 Dreary day with occasional rain.    We went to Starbucks for a latte and then Publix for some much-needed groceries for Flo's fridge and cupboards.   

Home to put our stuff away and Mark got Big Red cleaned out!    We are on a roll.   She shed is in good shape, too.

I had a nice chat with Aunt Marian (almost 98) - she is doing well and anxiously awaiting her 4th great grandchild (all girls).

Watched football in the afternoon and then went to 4:00 Mass with Father Steve at St. Francis.    Boy, it poured while we were in church and then continued thru the evening.    I love the sound of the rain coming down on Flo.

Michael and family had a great day at Disney.....

Ready to take on the day...

Brooke, Brady, Blair, Davis

And away they go!

Tomorrow we're taking a little road trip with1st stop in Lakeland for lunch with Ron and Vicki.   Then to Orlando to see Michael and family.

I will update the blog when we return on Monday.

It's 11:20 and just finished watching Notre Dame lose to BYU in a heartbreaker.....28-24.

Friday - October 16

 We are starting out the '26-'27 Fort Myers socializing with a bang today!    Met Jim and Lydia at McGregor Cafe for breakfast and then continued our chatter downtown at Peter's Coffee Cafe.    So good to be with them and catch up at 2 favorite places!

Mark, Lydia, Pat, Jim at Peter's

Said our good byes and Mark was off for a haircut with Jose and I had a mani-pedi with Alisa.   We enjoy catching up with Jose (Mark) and Alisa (me) after being gone 6 months.    Mark was done before me so got Ruby washed, picked me up, stopped at Williams Hardware and on home.   The car thermometer showed 96!    But much better temps are coming starting tomorrow!

Radar showed some nasty storms heading our way from the south, but only got a few sprinkles!    It mainly went inland.    Never fails when we get the car washed, it rains!   

Liam called on his way to Mizzou (U of MO).  He and Connor are meeting friends from high school who go to Mizzou.

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - October 15

 We were busy little beavers today emptying out the she shed (patio furniture, big umbrella, flag, grill, ladders, etc.)    Also got Betty Bunny and Tillie and Trixie, the turtles all situated + Izzy, baby turtle that Maeve painted for us.    Unfortunately, Freddie, the frog passed away last spring when a large palm frond fell on him while the landscapers were trimming!   😢   And  I was a very happy camper to be back with my washer/dryer and did 3 loads!

Got Ruby emptied out, too, and slowly getting our stuff where it needs to be.

Such a nice sight to wake up to the palm trees but although it was very pretty out, the heat and humidity were something else!    But, so nice to stay put all day and no getting in the car and "back on the road!"

Connor called this afternoon to catch up -  he's doing well, keeping busy and happy at U of I

The rain started before 6 and continued - heavier at first and then nice 'n gentle.

Usually there are many walkers and bikers out and about here at CT, but since we've been here, only saw one lady riding her bike today!    Tooo hot

Wednesday - October 14

 We are HOME!!!     Arrived at CT around noon and it is HOT!    But so happy to be here and done traveling for a bit.    Patience was in order today traveling from Ocala with I-75 busy as ever but especially around Sarasota where traffic went from 4 lanes to 2.    I stopped in Venice to get Ruby some gas and an iced coffee at Black 'n Gold Coffee Roasters.   We got Flo settled on our lot and then left for Cracker Barrel and a nice lunch before tackling our stuff.

First in order was getting Joe and Joan's mini cricket out of the she shed.    Got that and our bikes on back patio covered.    Lots more to do, but just so hot decided to work inside and just cool down.

Till tomorrow...

Tuesday - October 13

 Started the day getting diesel for Big Red ($5.29) and then on our way by 8:05.

Highway 301 is great thru Georgia and then Florida - Georgia had very little traffic.  We passed many pine tree farms with all sizes (maybe some were Christmas trees) but Georgia is big lumber country so these very tall trees will be cut down (passed a few big loads of logs) and eventually at lumber yards for building supplies.   Also passed some pecan and peach trees.  We stopped in Folkston, GA for coffee at Elliano's (neat place but only drive-thru or walk-up).   At 10:42 we were crossing into Florida!!!

We arrived at the Ocala Sun RV Resort in rural Ocala (big-time horse country) around 1:15.  We hit 90 degrees today.

We drove to Swampy's for dinner along the Rainbow River to meet friends Ross and Carly from Hernando.    We met them in Okeechobee several years ago in their RV at Water's Edge.    What fun to be together - last time was this past April 16th.    We loved the ambiance of "Old Florida" at Swampy's, watching the folks kayaking or on their boats.   Food was excellent and so much to catch up on.    

Pat and Carly

Mark, Ross, Carly, Pat