Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Woke up this morning feeling the tropical warmth—for the first time since we left.  Definitely a shorts and tee shirt day.  Showered and dressed before Mike woke up.  Sat outside enjoying the warm tropical breezes.  Had a lot of angst trying to get our TVs set up.  I thought getting into our site was going to be the worst part of our day.  But it was nothing compared to the TV debacle. When we got here they gave us these little boxes to hook up to our TVs in order to get cable.  Mike got the one in the living area going last night, but not the one in the bedroom.  Drove ourselves crazy.  This morning he went over to the office and got another box—and it worked!  Finally!  A few friends stopped by.  We walked around the lake and then stopped to see another couple who have lived here for a few years. Our first day here was beautiful—blue sky and warm breezes.

Love the tropical trees down here.

W. P. Franklin Park, Ft. Myers, FL, to Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Left Ft. Myers this morning at 8:15.  Headed east on Rt. 78 (River Drive) past all the beautiful estates in this area.  Huge homes sitting on lots of acreage and all enclosed in elaborate fencing and electronic gates.  Took Rt. 29 south and picked up I75 east along Alligator Alley.  Cut off on Rt. 27 and saw a Marathon station with an actual restaurant.  Stopped there and fueled up and ate some lunch.  So glad we didn't have to stop on the service plaza on the Florida Turnpike.  Took the turnpike to where it ends on Rt. 1 and took that through the Keys.  Arrived here at the park by about 3:00 and didn’t get set up until 5:00.  Mike still has more to do and he hurt his shoulder again (sigh).  Going somewhere for a drink or two shortly.  For better or worse, we’re here for 3 and a half months or so. We’re pooped.

The old seven-mile bridge

It's reputed that some singer by the name of Allan Jackson or something lives on this island--in a grass hut....and wears a loin cloth.

Back in the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys

W. P. Franklin Park, Ft. Myers, FL:  Warmer this morning, but pretty windy.  Both eagles were up in the sky soaring around this morning.  Looked like they were having fun.  Meeting my sister, brother, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law for dinner tonight.  Tomorrow morning bright and early (I hope) we leave for the Keys.  We’ll be there until March.

The property across the river from our site.  He used to have a rather large yacht moored at his dock.  Haven't seen it in a couple of years.

Sunset on the Caloosahatchee.

W. P. Franklin Park, Ft. Myers, FL:  Chilly and windy again this morning.  And while I was making the bed I noticed our little lizard by one of the windows in the bedroom.  Tried to catch him and he went into the decorative plant we have in our bedroom.  Took it outside and set it on the ground hoping he’d get out.  Not sure if he did or not.  Guess we’ll find out shortly.  Ron and Jan came over around noon I guess.  We had pasta and chocolate cream pie for dessert.  Both eagles showed up while we were all sitting outside.  They hung around for quite a while.  Must be a mated pair.  Got a little warmer in the afternoon, but the wind didn’t let up much.  Nice day though.

Both eagles were up there this afternoon.

Ron and Jan

W. P. Franklin Park, Ft. Myers, FL:  What a difference a day makes.  This morning was shrouded in fog.  Foggy, windy, and damp.  And what a difference a day makes—Mike’s shoulder is much better.  Since the weather was lousy we decided to go see “Flight” with Denzel Washington.  Great movie.  After that we drove over to Jan and Ron’s.  We got there around 3:30 and chatted with Jan until Ron came home from work.  Jan looks great!  Had pizza and Jan cracked a bottle of white zin.  Back home to our site and I made a chocolate cream pie for dessert tomorrow.  They’re coming over here.  Hope the weather is better than today.  Think it was around 80 today though.

Shrouded in fog this morning.

MacGregor Blvd. in Ft. Myers--going by the Edison and Ford winter homes.

Ron & Jan

W. P. Franklin Park, Ft. Myers, FL:  Had to take Mike to an Urgent Care facility in Cape Coral late this morning.  He woke up at around 3:30 with severe pain in his right shoulder.  Thought it might be his RA.  It took until noon before I convinced him he needed to see someone.  Searched on the Internet and found this facility in Cape Coral, so after much prodding he finally agreed to go.  Luckily we got right in and the doctor wrote him a prescription for steroids.  Got back and he took one of the steroid pills along with a couple of pain pills.  He’s now asleep in his chair.  He should be feeling better soon--hopefully.  Also, we discovered we have a little lizard inside our RV.  It’s almost impossible to catch them.  If we can’t I’m afraid he’ll die.  He’s so cute!  And the eagle is back in his lofty perch in a tree across the river from us.  He’s here every year.  

Our resident eagle.

Manatee Lake SP, Sarasota, FL, to W. P. Franklin Park, Ft. Myers, FL:  Left Manatee Lake at 10:00, and of course it’s the warmest day we’ve had since arriving here.  Arrived at W. P. Franklin before noon and were set up by 1:00.  Sat outside enjoying our beautiful view of the Caloosahatchee River.  Called Jan and let her know we were here.  Ron is taking Thursday and Friday off, so we’re planning on going over there Wednesday and having dinner with them.  We drove over to Sanibel Island and had a late lunch at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grill.  I had Mahi Mahi and Mike had a pork chop.  Really good.  I had one Mojito before dinner.  Limited to one since it was pretty potent.  Mike had a Bloody Mary which was loaded with large olives. Explored around Sanibel a little after lunch and then drove back in rush hour traffic.  85 today!!!   Yes!

View of the Caloosahatchee and the estate across from our site.

Doc Ford is the main character in the books of Randy Wayne White.

Only had one of these tasty Mojitos.