Ah for the good old days when getting together with grandkids was easy. Regan and Carter were especially easy – they learned to fly to Florida by themselves at an early age. And summers at Onawa were a given. Now things are getting more challenging especially when grandkid #1 – Reagan – is a college student at faraway University of California San Diego. 

She, understandably, couldn’t fly from UCSD to Florida so we turned the tables and flew to see her. And it worked out just fine!

Actually, my original plan was to drive from Florida to San Diego in the Tesla. Cooler heads prevailed and the Tesla road trip got as far as Austin, TX. That was sufficient to test out electric car travel but not so far as to lose the copilot somewhere in West Texas when she went stir crazy after all those hours watching the nothingness of that landscape pass by. And, as Judy pointed out, once in San Diego, a six-day haul, we’d have to turn around and do it all over again to get home. Austin turned out to be the half-way point.

Thursday, March 31, 2022 – Tampa to San Diego

Our trip to San Diego started on my mother’s 100th birthday, Mom and Dad’s 77th wedding anniversary and 10 years to the day from the day she passed away. We didn’t plan it that way, and the coincidence didn’t occur to me until just now, but Mom and Dad would be looking down with great satisfaction, I’m sure. They’d be pleased by the date coincidence but mostly pleased because they so much loved their first grandchild and would be happy that she’s become such a fine person.

We picked up a car at the airport and drove to our hotel near the UCSD campus.

Friday, April 1, 2022 – UCSD

We had two main objectives with his trip: to spend time with Reagan and to see the UCSD campus so we can envision her environment when we’re sitting by the fire whiling away the hours  in our retiree dotage. When we’re home and if we had a fire place, that is. We do have plenty of dotage, you can be sure.

Reagan had school stuff to do so we spent the first part of Friday exploring the campus on our own. It’s a modern campus – no 200-year-old ivy-covered buildings here. It’s built on the side of a hill so the campus runs downhill from south to north. Reagan’s Eleanor Roosevelt college (UCSD is divided into seven such colleges to keep things manageable) is at the top of the hill. That means classrooms and dining for her are down hill and the trip home is up hill. She commutes on a skateboard.

I’ll let the pictures give you an idea of the campus. She’s taking enough science and math courses to make your (my) head spin. Her objective is to major somewhere in the STEM world.

The campus is technically within walking distance of the Pacific but it’s not an easy hike, especially if you’re carrying a surf board. You can catch views of the ocean from campus and we noticed a number of hang gliders catching air currents over the coast so we hopped in the car to investigate. There’s a fairly large hang gliding facility there; somehow I resisted the temptation to take a lesson.

Reagan freed up around three PM so she met up with us at her dorm and took us on a guided campus tour to fill in her perspective of what we’d seen by ourselves. We discovered we’d had lunch at the same outside dining facility within minutes of each other. Small world, considering the size of the campus!

The Torrey Pines golf course is no more than 10 miles from campus – we could see it from the hang gliding spot – and that was our destination for dinner that evening.

You probably know that Torrey Pines is a big deal golf course. It hosts the PGA’s Farmers Insurance Open every year. It was dark when we got there so we couldn’t see much of the course but the three-course meal we had was of championship caliber. A very pleasant evening.

Saturday, April 2, 2022 – Catalina Island

Rather than sticking poor Reagan with the prospect of entertaining two grandparents for an entire weekend, we decided to make a weekend excursion out of it. Catalina Island, not far off the coast of southern California, was a logical destination.

You get to Catalina by ferry boat. The closest one for us left from Dana Point at 9:30 AM. Dana Point is a surfing spot of some renown, and is a strong hour’s drive from UCSD so we left at 7 AM to make sure we didn’t miss the boat. The trip was almost uneventful except that, as usual, Nana had her Dunkin’ Craplota attack. She googled up a Dunkin’ store on our route. Only problem? It is located on Camp Pendleton behind a rather imposing security check point. We turned around; Nana had to suffer for another 30 minutes to get food until we got to Dana Point.

The ferry took about an hour and a half (40-odd miles). It was cloudy and cool – I sat most of the way on the open deck. The only break in the monotony was a rather impressive display put on by a pod of dolphins.

Avalon is the only town of any significance on Catalina. We docked there and walked from the pier into town to find a place to finalize our arrangements for the day’s activities.

Reagan had heard of Carter’s Miami Mahi Mayhem experience with us in Florida. She wanted her piece of the action so we arranged for a fishing charter from Avalon the afternoon of our arrival. As in the case of Carter’s trip, we had no idea what to expect. So we dumped our bags at our in-town airbnb and reported to the town dock to board the Mojo. Everything was located within a few blocks of each other; the weather was ok but in the 60s so not warm.

One thing a charter fishing captain worth his or her salt abhors is to come home fish-less.  The tips are lousy and so are the TripAdvisor reviews. Our man ( who’s name escapes me) was no exception. He knew where the white fish were biting. Not as exciting as pulling in a 35-pound Mahi but, hey, we caught a heck-of-a-lot more fish -15 or so decent-sized fish – so had excitement of a different sort. We were never more than a few hundred meters from shore, the ocean was calm, the scenery nice, lots of birds and sea lions to watch and the fishing action was steady. In all, a fun afternoon.

The captain cleaned our catch, creating a sea gull mayhem for our enjoyment. We were back with the fillets to our house by 3:30, in time for a rest to recover from our early morning revelry call and trip up the coast.

But what to do with all that fish? Our captain had pointed us to a restaurant that proved to be only a few steps from our airbnb. They did, indeed, agree to cook up our catch but not without some hesitancy – the restaurant was quite busy that evening. But cook they did and we had a very tasty dinner. We had half of the fish done up as fish tacos and the other half as lightly-breaded fried fillets. We split the leftovers with Reagan and the next day and they made our Sunday night dinner at the San Diego airport hotel.

Sunday, April 3, 2022 – Catalina Island

Time to see what Catalina Island is all about, outside Avalon, that is. How to do it? A jeep ride with the Catalina Island Conservancy seemed like a good idea. The Conservancy is a private land trust that controls 88% of the island, excluding of course the town of Avalon and certain other private holdings. As the name implies, the Conservancy is set up to conserve the natural features of Catalina. So after a quick breakfast at an outside bakery, we mounted up our jeep with a knowledgable and pleasant driver/guide and headed for the hills.

The 20th Century history of Catalina is interesting. The island was originally home to native peoples and eventually claimed by Spain, Mexico and then the U.S. Owners began to develop a tourist business on the island beginning in the late 1800s but things got really interesting when William Wriggly of chewing gum and Chicago Cubs fame bought the place in 1919. He built infrastructure to support the tourist trade, used the island as the Cub’s spring training facility and even used the island to make movies, particularly westerns. He imported a herd of bison/buffalos for the movies. They were never repatriated and today the herd continues to call Catalina home.

Eventually William’s son Phillip who continued in his father’s footsteps. But in 1975 he deeded his holdings to The Catalina Island Conservancy. The Wriggly family continues to own an estate in the interior, including a fancy house or two, vineyards and horse stables.

The pictures show the rugged landscape of the interior. The roads are minimal, often dirt and not conducive to passenger car travel. We saw the buffalos and stopped at the island’s airport, Airport in the Sky. The airport is another Wriggly creation; they leveled two mountain tops and filled in the valley to create a 3,200 foot runway. Because of its location, the terrain at either end of the runway features a quick drop down the side of the mountain, making careful flying essential for an enjoyable visit.

Upon our return we had a lunch at a Mexican restaurant, checked out of our hotel and walked to the waterfront to board our return ferry at 5:00 PM. We were back to the campus by 9 PM, where we dropped Reagan and then made our way back to the airport and our hotel there. The leftovers from yesterday’s fishing trip, zapped in the microwave, served admirably as dinner. Next morning, we flew back to Florida. 

Mission accomplished. We saw the campus and renewed our 19-year relationship with a really incredible granddaughter who we love so very much.

 

Carrying on our annual tradition, we scored a visit from the two younger grandkids, Rebecca’s Griffin (age 8) and Esme (age 11). They came the week before Carter and Jeff showed up, so we had back-to-back fun for two whole weeks. Reagan, Jeff’s oldest, is away at the University of California San Diego so couldn’t make it to Florida this year. Our trip to San Diego to see her will be reported in a separate blog posting.

Sun City Center – Friday, Saturday and Sunday February 18 -20, 2022

One extra treat this year, as has become our custom, was for Esme and Griffin’s dad, Kevin, came to Sun City Center for the first few days of their visit. The kids really enjoy having him here and we do too.

Kevin came a day early and worked from Florida. Rebecca and the kids flew in Friday night, but their flight was delayed so we didn’t get back to “The Florida House” until the wee hours of Saturday morning. Nonetheless, on Saturday the four of them drove over to Orlando. There they hooked up with friends from Melrose, a family of four, and toured Planet Hollywood. Actually, the story we got is that the dads took the kids to the park and the moms did relaxing, wholesome mom things. The camera guy and his main squeeze, the videographer, stayed home so no pictures.

Everyone was back to our house Saturday night. On Sunday we kicked off the festivities with a crepe and strawberry breakfast followed by a relaxing day at home and the pool. Kevin flew home that evening.

2-20:

Indian Shores – Monday, February 21, 2022

As was the case for Carter and Jeff, the first thing we did was to visit Uncle David and Auntie Ro at their beach house at Indian Shores, not far from St. Petersburg on Tampa Bay. This visit turned into a mini family reunion since Dave and Ro’s son, Mark, his wife, Megan and their two kids Harry (age 6) and Lewis (age 3) were visiting Grampy and Meme. Ro’s sister, Rachel, was there too.

The four kids, knowing each other from summers at Onawa, Maine, got along famously. Their play focused on sandcastles and playing in the water near shore. Griffin and Esme had the pleasure of being the big kids for once.

After a nice lunch we packed up and headed back across the Sunshine Bridge to home.

2-21:

Tampa – Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Today was the big event day. We didn’t catch any fish, like Carter, but we had a double-header that included golf, just like Carter, and a visit to the Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s home stadium, Raymond James.

Have you ever been to a Top Golf facility before? No? Do it sometime. It’s a blast.

At first glance it looks like a multi-level driving range. You hit balls off a mat and the magic balls and tracking devices tell you how far, fast and well you hit the ball. You earn points by hitting certain targets.

Never played golf before? Doesn’t matter. The system is quite forgiving and everyone can have fun. We took a group of 11 friends, all our age or older, half of whom never played golf before and spent two hours. The occasion was Judy’s birthday and it was a great success.

You can also play a version of Angry Birds, the smartphone game where you shoot at a castle and try to knock it down. Here, you hit golf balls to knock it down. Great fun.

Not only that, but they serve food and drink so you can have a complete party. We did with the birthday group and with Esme and Griffin as well.

Esme, Griffin and even “I don’t play golf” Rebecca did quite well.  We were there from 10 to noon.

Next, a short drive across town to Raymond James stadium for a guided tour.

Have you ever wondered how young kids, especially boys, often Griffin’s age, can rattle off the names of every dinosaur that ever walked the planet? I never did that but lots of kids do. Griffin knows a dinosaur name or two, but his real forte is the NFL. Ask him anything. He’ll name names and quote arcane stats known only to true football geeks. He quizzes his Nana on the identify of teams based on their helmets. So, our visit to the home of the Bucs was a natural.

Did I mention that two of his biggest heros are Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, former Patriots and now, maybe, Bucs? (A favorite pastime for the kids is to get Nana to pronounce Gronk’s name. She never repeats her pronunciations and never gets it right. We love you, Nana!) Both are featured prominently at RJ.

The tour was comprehensive, starting with the room where unruly patrons are housed after they’ve been ejected from the game, to the luxury boxes and the famous pirate ship anchored in one of the endzones. We visited locker rooms used by visitors and college teams but not the locker room of the Bucs. That’s the only privately-owned part of the stadium and the Buccaneers don’t allow visitors. We went to the field but not on it. The grass had been removed to ready the field for an up-coming concert.

Football is a big business and this visit gave us a feel for the scope of football operations that are needed to put the game on the field.

And of course, there was nothing to do upon arriving home but to go for a quick afternoon dip in the pool before it was closed to young visitors. “Five o’clock? Outta here, kids. Us old folks don’t want to get splashed.”

2-22

Sun City Center – Wednesday, February 23, 2022

I often hear grandparents here in Sun City Center say, “The grandkids are coming. What are we ever going to do to keep them entertained?” We sometimes have that concern ourselves.

Fortunately, kids often are perfectly happy to hang out at home, hit the pool and do simple things. Sure, it’s nice to have a big outing for a day or two, but it doesn’t have to be a steady diet of Disney-like adventures. Parents like the laid-back approach too. They’re here to unwind from life at work and home and don’t need a steady dose of stimulation. “How about a nap? Perfect.”

We’re blessed that all four of our grandkids have this attitude. Even as they grow older, they remember the good times they had at Nana and Grampa’s house. The pool, lacking the thrill of a water park, still can be a lot of fun. I used to have some leftover shipping containers (still do, actually) that could be taped together to form houses and castles.

So, Wednesday focused on the pool. We also had a round of minigolf at a not-so-nearby facility. We did it in the evening, a big mistake since everyone, adults included, was overtired from the sun and previous day’s activities. The best part of the outing was meeting up with Mom at Baskin Robins for a bedtime ice cream treat. (Mom had stayed home to do work while we played mini golf. Neither Jeff nor Rebecca are good at unwinding and kicking back. Come by it honestly, I must admit.)

2-23

Sun City Center – Thursday, February 24

Another at-home day to finish up the visit. Both kids had activities that they really enjoyed.

For Griffin it was football. He had Mom, Nana and Grampa outside to play catch. He’s a good passer and a good catcher too. His kicking needs work but that will come with practice. He told me the other day that he wanted to be a place kicker in the NFL because kickers are protected and less likely to get hurt. Good plan, I’d say.

When he can’t find someone to play with, he does it by himself. He passes the ball up in front of himself, runs to catch it, falls to the turf (OK, usually carpet) then leaps up to spike the ball in celebration of his miraculous touchdown.  

Esme’s day started out with Grampa nagging her. “Now that Covid is over, shouldn’t you start up your piano lessons?” “No Grampa,” she explained patiently. “No lessons; they’re boring. I want to do Simply Piano on my iPhone.” “Humph,” answered Grampa.

I wasn’t going to let her off the hook that easily. I searched the Web, googling for “best piano app.” Guess what? Simply Piano was the clear choice. But it costs $145.

“No Grampa, that’s too expensive.” Worried Esme. “I’ll tell you what. We’ll get it and you and I, and even Nana, can use it. That way we’ll get more bang for our buck.” That made sense and off we went. She got right at it and was enjoying it greatly. Reports from Up North say she’s keeping at it to this day. Not only that, but she’s taking advantage of the other app that came with our purchase: Simply Guitar. She’s a double-threat musician.

And I must admit, Simply Piano is a great way to learn the piano. It’s fun and encouraging and easy to use. I’m never going to become a concert pianist like my dad was (before he went into the navy, came home, got married and had me and went to work to earn a real living.)

So, look it up in your World Book Encyclopedia under “blessings.” You’ll find pictures of our four grandkids. They’re our blessings for sure.

2-24

Our goal each winter is to spend time with all four of our grandkids in Florida, their parents too if they’re available, but that’s optional. Here’s a report on Carter and Jeff’s visit. Reports on Rebeca, Esme and Griffin’s visit will come soon, as will a report on our trip to San Diego to visit Reagan, a freshman at UCSD.

Indian Shores, FL – Monday, February 28, 2022

We wear clothes for protection from the elements – lots of clothes when it’s cold, skimpier clothes when it’s hot. We wear clothes to enhance our appearance. We wear clothes to make a statement. 

I’m still trying to figure out the lady on the Indian Shore Beach Monday. Skimpy, despite 72- degree air blowing at 10 to 15 miles per hour that made me slightly cool in shorts and t shirt. Without getting too graphic, let’s just say that, viewed from behind, her lower garment consisted of two straps about the diameter of a single strand of 12-gauge household electrical wire, leaving exposed virtually all of a quite attractive behind. Fortunately , it was cloudy so sun burn wasn’t a serious issue (remember the little girl in the Coppertone ad?). The top garment strap? I never got that far up to notice. 

Maybe it’s my advanced age or maybe I need a course of testosterone injections but my thought at first was less prurient and more practical: “Does your mother know you’re out in public dressed like that?” But then I noticed her gait and body language: stiff, haughty and challenging as if to say, “Look if you want you dirty old Florida retirees but I’ll dress exactly as I please, thank you very much.”

What did she look like from the front?  I didn’t dare look. Instead I studiously watched my kite flying a good 500 feet in the air. It’d been flying for 30 minutes, requiring absolutely no attention but I made as if only my careful technique was keeping it aloft. 

Kite flying is what brought grandson Carter, Nana and Uncle David to the beach in the first place. Too cool for swimming but ideal for kiting. Carter used two sticks to replace missing struts on one kite. We had three up for almost two hours. No beach goers were seriously hurt when a kite would occasionally tailspin into the beach. But philosophical musings appear when you least expect them. And, like Ben Franklin, I found cause to wonder about natural phenomenon while flying a kite. 

But I digress. I’m supposed to be travel blogging about Carter and his dad, Jeff, and their winter-break visit to Florida. 

This isn’t just your normal fly-to-Florida-and-go-to-Disney trip. It’s a trip enmeshed in a tale of drama, tension and unknown. Originally the plan was for them to fly to Florida Saturday afternoon and stay through Saturday. But smack dab in the middle of the week was a Sunday playoff hockey game that might determine if Carter’s Flames team would make it to next weekend’s championship series in Connecticut. 

The Flames were ranked nine out of 18 teams; only the top eight go on. Would a victory on Sunday propel the Flames to #8? Unknown. Not all of the season’s game results we’re in. Only one thing to do: the guys stayed back so Carter, a big, strapping defenseman you’d just as soon not get checked by into the boards, could skate in what might be the deciding game. 

Long story short: with eight seconds to go, the Flames leading the #1 seeded team 5-4, a player broke toward the Flame’s goal with the puck. Carter sprawled across the crease on the right, Cam the goalie protected on the left but the puck got through anyway. Final score: 5-5 tie. 

It wasn’t until last night, Tuesday, that word came down: the Flames were #9 regardless of the Sunday game’s outcome. 

We of course tried to console Carter with the usual platitudes: you tried your best, you can’t win ‘em all, you’re a better person for experiencing loss. And now we know you don’t have to fly home Thursday night for the tournament but instead do what all losing teams do: play golf in Florida!

But don’t kid yourself; losing sucks. After a 50-something game season having it all come to an end is simply a bummer. But Carter’s as strong inside as he is outside and is already rebounding to be the great, fun guy that we love and love to be with. 

Carter and Jeff’s delayed flight arrived just before 1 AM. We all got to bed shortly after 2. Jeff’s first work call was at 8 AM and his calls continued much of the day with a break for waffles with fresh Florida strawberries. 

Carter and I made a Walmart run for bathing suits (2 for him, one for me), a toothbrush and whatnot for Carter and two big bags of golf balls in anticipation of golf outings in Miami. Us guys tend to play exciting golf with shots that favor woods, underbrush and especially water. But with a generous mulligan policy and judicious use of the foot wedge club we have fun. Judy? Hits them not very far but right down the middle every time. Talk about watching paint dry. Boring. 

We hit the road about 1:30 and arrived at Dave and Ro’s beach house at Indian Shores around 2:30. Jeff did calls until 5:30 while the rest of us went kiting and philosophical contemplating . An early hamburger, salad and baked bean supper and we were back in Sun City Center in time for a rubber of bridge before bed. 

Tomorrow we’re off to Miami for a stay of an in determinant length (we know, as I type that the guys won’t have to return until Saturday). 

I’ll try to give an update in a day or two covering the water park, a couple of golf outings and our deep sea fishing expedition and whatever else might arise  

 ja

Miami – Tuesday, March 1, 2022

We’re staying at the J W Marriott Turnberry resort complex on the north side of Miami. We started Tuesday in Sun City Center with a crepe and strawberries breakfast and we’re on the road by 10:30. We did Panera for lunch and got to the hotel by 3:30. Jeff was working on the phone most of the way. 

Our afternoon included a few strokes at the Marriott’s driving range, a dip in the pool at the Marriott’s water park and a couple hands of bridge. Dinner was at the Corsair, an informal dining room that satisfied all four of us. We finished with another bridge session. 

Miami – Wednesday, March 2, 2022

We’d made a tee time reservation for 3:30 the next day, Wednesday, so after breakfast we headed over to the water park for a couple of circuits around the lazy River ride and lots of time floating in the pool. None of us, including Carter, are big water slide fans so we felt no need for that even though they have what looks to me to be a big one. A late lunch and then it was out to the golf course for warmups on the range followed by nine holes on the Soffer course, the longer and more difficult of the two here at the Marriott. 

The course was in perfect shape and absolutely gorgeous vistas of the course and the Miami skyline in the background. The course is, to be sure, challenging although we all played well. I am glad, however, that we bought all those balls at Walmart the other day. 

We learned later that this course is one of Tiger Woods’ favorites here in Florida. We’re going to scout out the locker room to find his locker. 

Afterwards we Lyfted it to a nearby restaurant Jeff had googled called Timo. The guys had pasta, Nana scallops and I had a yellow fin snapper dish with clams and shrimp in a tomato-based sauce and rice. Really good grub all around. 

And of course there was bridge before bedtime. 

Miami – Thursday, March 3, 2022

Thursday (today as I type) is fishing day. We had chartered a six-person boat, the Lady Mitchell and her crew, captain Jesus (from Cuba) and mate Nano (Uruguayan). Castoff was at 8 AM so we did a quick breakfast at Starbucks and got the car out for the 15- minute trip to the marina. 

The weather was perfect, the boat not new but perfectly seaworthy and the crew both competent and entertaining. If we had come back empty handed we’d still have had an enjoyable morning. 

Jesus and Nano visibly relaxed, shedding built-up tension and worry when, about an hour into the trip, we had two strikes (we had six lines in the water). January and February are the worst months for fishing; Nano said he’d once gone eight days without a fish. It was for him pure agony. So a total zip out on March 3 was totally possible. 

I had written my own description of the fishing experience but, you know what? Carter beat the old man with his description hands down. So here’s how the guy holding the rod saw his trip to Florida:

This trip was a bit different but still tons of fun. We arrived a day later so I could play my hockey game. Even though we tied it didn’t matter and we were still not in the playoffs but I got to stay an extra two days. We arrived at two am and then, the next day around lunch we headed off to Uncle David’s beach house. There we spent a half day kiting on the beach and finished it off with dinner, then headed home. 

The next day we left for Miami where we would have a fun filled 5 days consisting of playing on the nicest golf course I’ve ever seen, swimming in the pool, playing cards in the hotel room, and last but certainly not least deep sea fishing.

It was our first time deep sea fishing so we didn’t know what to expect. After about thirty minutes of no bites and looking for the Frigate bird we caught our first fish, a good-sized Mahi-mahi.

Then we found the Frigate and this was great because if they are flying out in the oceans that means they are following a school of fish. We know this because their feathers don’t have enough oils so, they can’t land in the ocean and have to dive at a fish on the surface.

We followed this bird for ten minutes until the now famous Mahi-mahi mayhem occurred and we had three fish on the lines at the same time. We caught these fish claiming victory over the Mahi-mahi mayhem and waited about an hour later we got a bite.

Imagine this Mahi-mahi mayhem had occurred about an hour ago you lost the Frigate and are losing hope of catching another fish.

Then out of nowhere we get a bite I run over to the fishing pole and the fish had gotten out of its grasp. After that 5 seconds nothing happens, but then a rod on the other side of the boat caught a fish a big fish.

I run to the rod and see it’s losing line fast so, I start to reel it in. It’s pulling hard I’m already pulling as hard as I can and I’m not reeling it in at all. Then it loses a little tension the boom a huge Mahi-mahi jumps out of the water 100 yards from the boat and it’s on my line.

I start reeling it in and 30 seconds later my dad’s rod catches a fish that’s just smaller than my fish and it’s about to 200 yards out so we begin the excruciating 20 minute process of reeling the fish in. When we finally pull them in it took my Dad, Nana, and our captain to pulling a giant 44 inch 30 pound male Mahi-mahi and I pulled in a 49 inch 35 pound female Mahi-mahi.

The day totaled six fish in just 4 hours with my fish being the biggest and the one that’ll be mounted on my wall. All in all I had a wonderful time in Florida and can’t wait to come back next year.

The kid can not only fish and play great hockey but he’s a pretty darn good writer if you’ll excuse some grandparental pride.

The result: two trophy-worthy mahi-mahis  Jeff’s was a male measuring 44 inches and 30 pounds. Carter’s was the prize winner at 49 inches and 35 pounds. Mom and pop maybe?  Let’s not go there; too sad to contemplate. 

Back at the dock Nano cleaned and filleted the four smaller fish. The big ones aren’t as tasty as the smaller guys. Stop by Carter’s room someday and you’ll see his 49 incher mounted on the wall. 

Next stop: a CVS store near the hotel to buy a cooler and zip lock bags to transport the mahi-mahis back to Sun City Center. They’ll hit the grill and freezer exactly three days after departing this world. Hopefully they, unlike visitors, won’t stink after that interval. 

We hit a pizza joint for lunch and then hit the hay for a recovery nap after all that fresh air and excitement. Bridge before dinner of course. Then we put on the feed bag at the Marriott’s Bourbon Steak Miami. Carter and I had steak. Judy and Jeff had a lobster/seafood creation assembled table side. A great dining experience worthy of the restaurant’s reputation.

We needed a change of pace so we put away the bridge decks and instead played a canasta variant called Hand, Knee and Foot, which is all the go with old folks at Sun City Center these days. 

Tomorrow: more golf.

Miami – Friday, March 4, 2022

It’s hard to top a day like yesterday. We had a lazy morning, a dip in the pool and a round of afternoon golf on the Turnberry’s second “less demanding” par-70 Miller course. Challenging enough for this crowd of duffers but it’s the fun, not the score that counts. We scored very well on that measure.

Dinner that night was back at the less-formal Marriott restaurant, getting to feel like home after a dinner, a couple of lunches and breakfasts. I don’t remember what we had but I do remember dessert.

Carter, the sharp fellow that he is, noticed a 14-layer chocolate cake on the menu the first night (OK, maybe it was 7-layer, I forget. It seemed awfully tall). Served with hot chocolate sauce and ice cream, one was big enough to serve all four of us. Carter had the lion’s share but I wasn’t far behind. Jeff and Nana? Survival of the fittest.

Last night, at the fancy steak joint? The cake wasn’t on the menu but Jeff twisted the server’s arm and got a slice sent over from the other restaurant.

And tonight? You guessed it: slice number three.

Miami – Saturday, March 5, 2022

Today is packing and going home day. A breakfast, a hand of cards or two and then lunch.

Lunch, you say? At the Marriott? You guessed it again: slice number 4. We’d better get out of this place while we can still waddle.

We dropped Jeff and Carter at the Ft. Lauderdale airport and drove on home via the center of Florida, near Lake Okeechobee. It was eight-ish when we arrived, just enough time to cook up a serving of mahi-mahi and freeze the rest.