Wednesday, Feb 16, we checked into the La Quinta in Ft Meyers. The hotel is wonderfully situated right at the causeway to Sanibel Island and walking distance to a wonderful public beach.
But alas, Bob was getting sicker by the hour. We decided we needed to attend the mini-reunion (of guys who had served as ET's (Electronics Technicians) aboard the USS Franklin D Roosevelt in the 60's) Wednesday evening. But we also decided to not return to the hotel but instead to head north from the mini, since that would reduce our drive and we could get home (and to the doctor) quicker.
We checked out of the hotel at noon, and decided to explore a little on the way to the mini site - a Perkins Family Restaurant in the center of Port Charlotte. We ventured out to Cape Coral. (We saw a police car with a window sticker that read www.coralcops.com ;-)
This whole area was built up over the past 3-4 decades around a system of canals. This allows many more residents to have direct access to the bay and of course the Gulf of Mexico.
The many houses on the water is a real boon to the economy and this is a fabulous place for people to live that enjoy aquatic fun! The realtors love it too, since the "rule of tens" kicks in - the same house on the water will demand 10 times higher price than just one block off the water!
In our exploring, we came across a wonderful little park (about 4-5 acres) where we could pull right up to the water's edge and have lunch!
The park had walking paths, a covered shelter, and a full playground.
Several condos were immediately adjacent - seemed like a great place to live since you have the advantages of a waterfront condo with none of the headaches (or higher taxes).
Port Charlotte Bay seemed quite large and sufficient to support nearly every aquatic need except perhaps deep sea fishing.
Mini-Reunion of USS FDR Shipmates
At 4PM we arrived at the Perkins. Just as we were setting up, folks started to arrive. I was thrilled that Harold ("Butch") & Ginger Jonas came all the way from Jacksonville to attend.
He had been at the mini in Starke, FL. I felt that was solid testimony that this is a good thing (since if it he'd not had fun in Starke, he sure would not have driven 250 miles for this one!). Another couple, Dale & Linda Doane drove down from Ocala. He was an ET on the Rosy but served just a year or two after any of the others had served. I felt that even though he didn't know anybody at the beginning, he had some solid "shipmate friends" be evening's end.
Those in the photo are (L-R) Ken Klug & his companion Eleanor, Linda & Dale Doane, Harold & Linda Jonas, Bob Peege, Stan Zindzius, Theresa & Bob Siefker.
Our plan is to get as many OE Div members as possible to the FDR Reunion in 2012 at Virginia Beach. My plan is to organize at least one casual get together on the day before the reunion officially starts - either on the beach or in a pub or someplace we can have a party room all to ourselves. I'm hoping we can get 25-30 ex-ET's and their spouses/companions.
Back Home Again in Indiana
At the end of the evening (about 7 PM) we pointed the Ford north planning to hole up in Ocala.
When we got close, we started calling hotels listed in our discount coupon book (you see them at all the rest stops) and there was nothing in Ocala! We finally asked and were told it was due to the Daytona races! Ocala is nearly all the way across the state! We had no idea the race had that huge an attendance!
Anyway, we went on to Gainesville and tried again, this time with success.
Thursday, Bob's symptoms were worse with swollen left eye with much mucus discharge. We left right at 8AM so as to be in Atlanta just after the lunch rush. Our timing was perfect and we sailed right through Atlanta only to get caught in a 10 mile backup about 30 miles south of the Tennessee border! Even with the backup, we made it through Knoxville without a hitch and found a hotel in London KY.
Friday morning we were on the road at 8AM again and sailed through Louisville without a hitch.
When we arrived home, we went to see the doctor and she prescribed an anti-biotic for a maxillary sinus infection (my teeth hurt!). I was expecting a miracle or something but was disappointed that by bedtime I felt WORSE! My good friend Mike Ewing who is an RN said that is not unusual and that it would be 24-36 hours before I noticed any improvement.
It's Sunday as I write this and I felt pretty good when I first "rolled out" this morning. I decided to go ahead and go to church and by the time we were dismissed, I was ready to go home.
For some reason, I decided to write this last (for now) blog entry, but I think I'll wrap it here.
I appreciate the comments and visitors to our blog. Stay tuned for the next adventures of Bob and Theresa.
Until then,
Via con Dios Amigos.
No comments:
Post a Comment