Key Largo/Key West

Dad and Mom walked the main street in Key West yesterday. They've been as far South in the USA as one can get. Last night they were staying in Key Largo. Lorenzo and Lois have their car with them in Florida and Mom and Dad rode down with them.

I commented it was 50 degrees here, so Becky and I wouldn't be skiing today. Dad said it was 80-85 degrees in Key West.

Katie is anxiously awaiting their return to PA next week. She says she misses them. Me too!

Barb

Ft. Meyers

We are enjoying the warm weather and our friends Lois and Lorenzo. We seem to find many things to do. Last sat. we attended a picnic given by a fellow looper that lives here in an orange grove. There were about 50 loopers, including the Stobbs and the Meyers and 50 friend and neighbors at the gig. It was a great event. We have an opportunity to go to the Keys and will leave this morning and be gone for a few days. Lorenzo has his car. Will take pictures and update the blog when we get back.

Family Visit: Feb 1-7

Becky, our daughter, and her family came to visit us at Betty's house in Lakeland, FL. Bobby, who is 7 years old, took his first airplane flight to get here. The first day, they went to The Magic Kingdom and watched the Steelers win the SuperBowl that night. Yeah! They went to Kennedy Space Center. They met and spoke with Astronaut John Fabian. That's the Space ShuttleDiscovery on the launch pad. They took a cold day and spent it at WonderWorks. And the last day here they went to an old attraction, Gatorland. Bobby even got to "wrestle" an alligator. The white alligators were new in the last 3 days to Gatorland. Not albino, though. Its a condition called lucism and they have blue eyes. They had a great time at the Vandelinders home and even saw and caught a gecko on the sidewalk. Bobby picked lemons and made fresh squeezed lemonade. Aunt Betty and Uncle Harry had fun teaching us all how to play "Dirty Marbles".

Fort Myers, FL

Mom called this afternoon to say they'd been at Venice FL last night and were headed to Fort Myers today. They were encountering rough weather (waves and wind) and it was going to take them longer than expected to get to Ft. Myers.
Barb

Talked to Dad tonight. The boat is fixed. Seems to be running well. The diver even cleaned the bottom while he was there installing the fixed prop.

Dad said they will be leaving possibly Tuesday for St. Petersburg, then to Fort Myers, through the Okeechobee to Fort Pierce.

They've had a great time seeing Dad's sister and brother-in-law several times while they were in Clearwater. Aunt Betty and Uncle Harry picked them up after Christmas and Mom and Dad spent about a week at their home in Lakeland. When they were ready to return to the boat, Aunt Betty and Uncle Harry gave them one of their cars to use while they were in the area. How great is that! Aunt Betty and Uncle Harry, you are awesome! Mom and Dad made several trips to spend a few days with them as the boat wasn't going anywhere due to the bent prop.

Becky and her family visited during the first week of February, staying at Aunt Betty and Uncle Harry's as well. Got to see Mom and Dad as well as go to Cape Canaveral, Disney World, etc w/ Bobby.

It's been great to know Mom and Dad have been relaxing for a while. They were really pushing to get places for a month or two. Hopefully they will post some pictures soon (hint! hint!). Or that Becky will of their trip to FL.

Safe travels, Mom and Dad!
Love,
Barb