Spring Training Camp

We got ballgame tickets from some sketchy guys selling tickets on the side of the highway.  We were a little concerned they could be bogus, but to our delight they were great seats, tens rows up, and between home plate and 1st base!!  We had a great time watching the Red Socks play the Oriels.

                                         Entertainment, food, drink, and shopping.  What more
                                         could a girl want!!

                                          We had a ballpark hotdog, lemonade, and ballpark peanuts!

                                         A great band entertained us before the ballgame.

                                         A sellout crowd!

                                        I cheered for the Red Socks, but we lost to the Oriels 4-3.

Boca Grande

On one of the cooler days we took a road trip to an island called Boca Grande.  There was lots to see all along the way and back.  We had lunch on Boca Grande and drinks at a small town called Machala(I'm not sure of the name)!

                                           Lunch at Boca Grande.

                                          The beach at Boca Grande.

                                          A street full of banyon trees on Boca Grande.

 

                                           Afternoon drinks at a quaint town called Machala.

Fort Meyers Beach

We spent a day at Fort Meyers Beach.  Beautiful water and sand, also beautiful people.  I think the guys got  eye infections looking at all the girls!!

Another Day on the Water

More boating fun in different canals, different places to see, eat and drink, and new people to visit with.  Tons of fun, tons of sun!!  Another burnt nose!!

                                           We had a great time at the Low Key Tiki Bar
                                            eating lunch.

                                           Parking at the Low Key.

                                          With friends at the Low Key.

Dolphin Fun

The canals are filled with dolphins, and while we were in Gerald's boat, we happened to come across a pod of them.  Using the boat and going slowly, Gerald created a wake for them, and they playfully swam, jumped and dived behind the boat for a good mile or so.  I didn't get many pictures because I kept my eye on the dolphins unsure of how long they would be with us.( Last year when we were in Hawaii watching the whales breach off the beach in front of us, a woman so badly wanted to capture the event on film that she totally missed this spectacular viewing while getting her camera ready, finding the whales in her view finder, and then alas, to her dismay the breaching  was over!!)

Spring Break

Spring break was in full force while we were in the Cape Coral /Fort Meyers area.  Mind you it was in full force while we were in Playa Del Carmen.  Someone told us that it starts in mid February and goes until mid April!!  I'm not sure, but there were an awful lot of young people on the beaches, and some were very young, like high school!!

Dockuminiums

In Florida, some people live in condominiums, and some boats live in dockuminiums!!  Quite the setup!

                                         Entrance to the dockuminium harbour.

                                         There is a very nice restaurant on location.

                                          This is only one part of the dockuminium.

                                            People waiting for their boats to be gassed up.

                                         A huge forklift loads and unloads boats.

Boating

We boated a couple of days exploring the canals and entered the Gulf Coast of Mexico just off of Fort Meyers.  The weather was awesome and we burnt ourselves AGAIN!!  When you are a sun and water person this is pure heaven!

                                         Gerald's boat.

                                          Cruisin' the canal.

                                          The river.

Gulf Coast Florida

After spending a few days with our friends in Lantana, Florida we rented a car and took off to the Gulf Coast to visit other friends who have also been wintering in Florida for a number of years.  Their house is on a canal which is a boater's delight.  The weather was mostly hot, except for a couple of days that were rainy, and cool.

                                         A beautiful fish pond greets you at the front door of
                                         Gerald and Wanda's beautiful home!

                                         Their back yard sits on a corner lot on one of the many
                                         canals in Cape Coral.

                                            Beautiful palms are everywhere!

Hello Sunny Florida!

We flew to sunny Florida, and after a long slow moving lineup through US immigration, were greeted by some dear, dear friends, who picked us up from the airport.  The evening was to die for with a gentle, warm wind!  The condo complex where our friends hang their hat for the winter is filled with friendly people.  The building and grounds are inviting, beautiful, and surrounded with a lot of spacious greenery. The views are spectacular.  The intercoastal waters are at their front and back doors.  As you stand and look out over the water from their condo you can see sailboats, yachts, and smaller vessels leisurely making their way to a further destination.  There is an awesome pool that is ideal for swimming laps, supported with loungers that allow you to enjoy the sun.  They even have a resident iguana that likes to sun itself on the dock. 

                                       

 

Final Days

Our final days at Playa Del Carmen were spent at the beaches of Playa Car, Puerto Morelos
and a restautrant/bar called Wah Wahs.  The wind was up but the temperatures were glorious!!

So long dear Mexico!!  We will surely miss your sunny, hot days, your fine sanded beaches, your lovely warm evenings, and your vibrant soul! Our stay is over, but you know we'll be back!