Notes about Florida Trip

My brother in law -wants to know where are my blogs -funny thing is -I wonder also.

I came home from the Florida visit with my folks on the first warm day in the three weeks I had been there. Figures. My parents took me out to a Denny's on the way to the airport -when we were just about finished -12 motorcycle police came in and took up the two tables around us. They were in full uniform and so good looking my mother (77) and I could hardly talk -we were drooling. If I did not have a plane to catch -I would have still been there. I think they must have been practicing for Pres. OBama's visit the following day.They were fine looking men. :)))figures.

I had a nice visit with my parents -but i was ready to come home -I am glad I had my lap top computer with me and had a nice break/visit with NJ friends, Paula and Stan, that had moved to a large retirement community near Tampa. About #300,000 seniors I think. Very very nice. They are very active seniors -Golf and Softball/ other sports/dance lessons/rehabbing rental properties and just enjoying all the activities offered. I could easily live in a retirement community, somewhere in the world. They made me feel so welcomed -I stayed an extra day-at their invitation. Stan and I were able to go to the John and Mable Ringling Estate near Sarasota -worth the day trip -I had a great time. Paula played in three softball games that day and we were able to catch up with her for the third one. WHEW -she is my hero!

I had rented a car in Ft Myers -Hertz- across RT 41 from my parents community. Very convenient. The price was high for the long weekend/ Thurs to Monday. I knew it was about 2 hrs from exit 131 north to exit 240 (242?) on Rt75 - but i didn't know if i would wander. I like to explore a bit, I was flying home that Monday and hadn't done much sightseeing. Anyway -I went on line and checked my emails and found a coupon code from Spirit Air Miles club I belong to -so I used that with Hertz and it only cost me $100.00 plus tax for the 4 days - I should have rented a car the whole 3 weeks. My parents offered to let me use their large Mercury -but.... I liked the Mazda 6 I rented.

The first Hertz rental car had a broken tail light -Hertz,still wanted me to take the car -but i said no- and had to wait about 40 min for a replacement car. I hope everyone checks the lights when they do the walk around -before you sign the rental lease -I never did until the lease in Grand Junction CO and my friend Bonnie found the broken headlight. This time I made my Dad hobble with me -he stood behind the car with his cane and wobbly knees and I touched the breaks and turned on the lights. He is the one that found the broken light. I was sort of upset with Hertz -but I guess these things happen with rentals -but where is their due diligence? What else hadn't they checked?

I get the replacement car -but it had no gas -so this Jersey Girl had to go to a gas station and pump the gas (we DO NOT pump our own gas in NJ and it is a lot cheaper prices also -don't ask me how?) even though i did pump gas on my road trip out West -i still had a little problem -ah- making the gas come out of the hose. LOL. But I wanted to get on the road -I was an hour late and Paula and Stan would be expecting me.

Driving toward Tampa or exit 240 north was a breeze on this great road 75. Very fast moving. But I didn't see alot of rest areas and I had to pee. Finally just before my exit -a rest area! Yea! Paula calls and I tell her where I am and she says - I am about 20 mins away. good. I hang up and go to get out of the car and the horn and alarms go off. whoops.

I quickly start the car again and put it into gear and it stops. Then I re park and get out -again the alarms and horn -FIVE times I try to get out of the car -and five time the alarms go off. By this time i am Laughing and of course still have to pee. I had picked up a card from the Ft Myers Hertz and put it in my pocketbook. So I call the manager -Steve- and tell him the problem -he has never heard of such a problem and doesn't know how to help. The Mazda is holding a middle age woman on diuretics -hostage and he cant help me -Hello?

He suggests I call the toll free number on the front of the yellow cover sheet holding my receipt/contract. He hangs up. I have the contract but my yellow binder is not in my purse -oh yea it is in my bag of maps in the trunk. Crap.

LOL ...The car is to small to crawl to the trunk and my bladder is way to full. I check out the glove box and YEA - the past lessee left their yellow cover in the box -I now have the toll free Road assistance number.

I call and a very nice man answers and I give him my problem and info from the contract. He says he never heard of the Mazda doing this to anyone.??????Figures

But he can help and tells me how to reset the alarm. Which goes off again as I get out. (meanwhile NO ONE has come over to see why the car alarm is going off ????) Long story short -I reset the alarm by opening the door from the outside with the key.

The guy on the phone from roadside assistance has a nice voice and wants to talk and laugh with me -but hey -I am at this rest area for a reason....Thanks for the help......but GOTTA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

All is well that ends well/ when you can laugh with your adventure! :)))))

Florida -Day 9 (Pine Island)

Today, Mother drove Dad and I out to Pine Island -about 30 min -a 17 mile long island mostly fisherman and artists. Not many Pine trees but lots of PALM TREE Farms. A lot of the farmers belong to the the Pine Island Growers. So you see " P I G " Farms everywhere. What a HOOT!

Although we didn't get out and actually TALK to artists. We had lunch at Capt.'s Con's at the North end -it was about 85 and breezy -just lovely. Mother and Dad had the famous house Fish Stew (cream base) fearing crab meat in the stew I opted for a nice hamburger.

We also bought raffle tickets they were selling to benefit the local Lions Club. The prizes were Pictures by local painters -all very nice. I wrote down Mothers Ft Myers house phone number. The drawing is after I leave....but......I still hope. Have you seen the art in this Florida house? OMG 1930 Motel art is better! Keep you fingers crossed.

We also drove past the house that belongs to a woman I work with at the gym. She and her husband come down whenever they can.

A nice 4 hour day trip with Mother driving and Dad directing from the co=pilot seat. They argue and Mother doesn't talk then Dad stops 'helping' and she talks under her breath -that he (so very deaf) can hear? Go figure. LOL I am having a wonderful time -although i may have to walk home -not enough exercise!!!

Thank goodness for cell phone Pictures!