29 Jan 2014 - Scott & Brenda visit Naples

Getting to the beach early for the best view...yes, it was a tad foggy.

Scott and I. We couldn't have stayed out in the sun without the shelter. Love it!

It was a frustrating and long process, but Scott and Brenda arrived on Monday. They missed their Saturday flight because of weather and missed connecting flights so spent a lot of time in airports but we've had a day at the beach and a day shopping so their vacation is getting better. They pulled up in a beautiful new BMW, which fits in quite well with all the other high-end cars in the neighbourhood.
When we got up on Tuesday there was a thick fog but the weather report said it was going to be hot so we packed a lunch and headed for Lover's Key. Brenda had seen some of the shells we'd picked up previously and was looking forward to bringing some home to Stella and Holden. It was a great day, and turned out to be really, really hot. By 1 pm we decided we'd head for home and the beach was starting to get very crowded. I'm guessing it's a common issue in Florida...if you want to get a good spot at the beach, go early and map out your territory. Also, it was high tide which made for a narrow beach area and pedestrian traffic was irritating me just a tad.
We stopped at Bealls on the way home...after all, it was Senior's Day, and did a quick cruise to pick up a few things. Brenda is a shopper like me but her arthritis makes walking long distances or walking for a long time quite difficult so we have to pace ourselves.
Wayne was doing his post-dinner internet browsing and found a real deal on one of the last minute vacation sites. Within a half hour, we were booked for a cruise to the Bahamas and have a beautiful room with balcony. God knows, we don't have to buy any clothes but it sure makes a difference when you don't have to pay for a flight to get here. It leaves from Miami, which is about 2 hours from here so we'll just leave in the morning to get there by noon. We have always talked about going on these last minute cruises and it's nice that's we are getting to do it finally.
Scott & Brenda had made arrangements to stay at the Hilton resort on Marco Island so left to see how the other half lives. We came back this morning and we headed off to the outlet mall. We all did a little damage but I did notice that I had a bag from every store we were in. I expect that when I check...and then pay...my visa bill tonight, this shopping extravaganza I've been on will come to a dramatic halt!
Tomorrow is the second day with the writing group at the Botanical Gardens and I'm really looking forward to seeing them. The weather is cold and rainy...a bi-product of the winter storms that are right across the southern states. Every day we see the crazy number of accidents around home and can't believe now terrible this winter has been. It makes us even more grateful that we are here!
Please stay off the roads unless it's absolutely necessary until this crazy weather improves! Until next time, love and hugs to all. xx