Sunday-Monday, October 18-19

 We are home from a whirlwind, fun trip to Lakeland, Orlando and Lake Wales.

Sunday - we left CT at 8:30 and stopped at The Rose' Cafe in Arcadia for coffee.   Onto Lakeland and met my brother Ron and Vicki at Grillsmith for lunch.    So good to be with them as it was April 15th when we were last together (the day we left FL for the season).    Over a good lunch, we yakked away and then went to their home for 2 more hours of visiting and some games of "Swoop" or as they call it in Lakeland "Tens".    Fun game.

Ron and Vicki

Next stop was Orlando and checked into our hotel on International Drive - so much traffic mainly leaving the Disney parks.    Michael and family are having a great time and they were back at the hotel around 6.    We ubered to Cooper's Hawk (1st time for any of them to eat at one of our favorites).    We had a nice round table and chattered away.   Big day for them and the many rides they enjoyed.  But before calling it a day, the kiddos (Blair, Brady and Davis) wanted to play mini golf at Pirate's Cove.   Rest of us were off to dreamland.

Dinner at Cooper's Hawk

Brady, Blair, Davis, Brooke, Pat, Mark, Michael

Monday - light drizzle to start the day.    We met the kids down in lobby for breakfast and then they were off to Universal for the day and we left for Lake Wales.   

Blair and her Mickey Mouse waffles

 Arrived at the Latte Lounge in a very old, unique former arcade building downtown.    Our good coffee buddies, Joyce and Butch recommended this place along our way home and just 20 miles from their home.    It was neat + the turtle brownie we shared.

We last saw these friends and former RVers from Champaign, IL on May 13th.   My goodness, so much has happened since then with 2 hospital visits for Joyce (6 days in Champaign and 21 days in Barnes, St. Louis).    She had some very serious health issues over the summer but now, doing much better, back to line dancing, etc.    They love coffee shops like we do and this was a good one + they told us about a neat one on a farm outside Fort Mead, FL.    So, that will be on the list to check out in January when we're back together.   Good bye hugs and on our way to CT with the rain.   

Us with Joyce and Butch at the Latte Lounge in Lake Wales

 Started out a light drizzle but at times, heavier and shortly after we arrived at CT, the heavens really let loose with a big downpour!    Next 4 days are to be sunny and low 80s.

We have several doctor appointments the next 2 days.