Ocala and just the two of us

After a couple months on the road and visiting friends and family, we headed to north/central Florida to stay in my parents place in Ocala....alone.  We watched a ridiculous amount of movies, read quite a bit, visited the local farmers market, the bowling alley, local parks and took some day trips.  On one particular day we met up with Andy (who we had scene in Louisiana, Mi, NM, and now FL) and picked some grapefruits at his friends place.

More grapefruits than we could possibly pick and eat in a few week span.  They are SO tasty!

Andy and I.  We drove to a unique little restaurant near Crystal Bay, famous for Manatee.

We had a lot of good weather with some beautiful skies both day and night.

At the local community center we played some billiards.

Then we had a taste of real Florida...bingo!  80% of the people there had white hair.  We were the youngest there by about 30 years.  Eva is the one who helped us as the the games weren't just simple bingo, but games like "picnic table" "american flag"  "four corners" and all you could win in different stages of each game.  When the man called 22, everyone would yell "toot, toot" like a train.  55, they would say "five, five" loud and drawn out.  This would go on with a handfull of other numbers.  It was good we did have help by those around us because we wouldn't have known half of what we were doing.  And due to the fact that they generally had bad hearing, they would explain to us very loudly.

Bingo wasn't just a game for these people, but a way of life.  It really was quite an experience and a hell of a Friday night if I do say so myself.

While in Florida, we made the most of the new purchased convertible...especially while driving along the coast.  Since we drove highway 1 in California, we figured since we were so close we should drive along the 1A1.  We took it from Daytona Beach up to St. Augustine.

We also visited the other coast of FL from Clearwater up to Tarpon Springs (a small greek town).
Happily, we managed to get Sari Saks into two more locations in FL.

Andy and Vanessa sharing a walker (don't ask), as we enjoyed the sunset.

Hey, that is my move!

We had a great time during the rest of our stay in FL and took off early a couple days ago for our 14 hour drive to Houston, TX...where there was frost on the windows and people were wearing winter coats.

Sanibel, Thanksgiving and the Clines

After our California adventure we flew down to southwest FL.  We were met by Mrs and Mr Cline (also known as my second set of parents).  This is the longest period of time I've spent with them for years.  On our first day in we went for a bike ride.

Vanessa and M Cline hit it off...although they had briefly met a couple times  in NYC.

Mr. Cline had me scheduled for a full week of tennis matches.

Then Pete (Pedro) arrived.  Although he had to work a bit the first couple of days, I still harassed him enough to make the most of the few minutes I saw him.  He always has something up his sleeve too.

M C is always in good spirits....and spoils us beyond belief.

We had epic battles of cards at night, yoga in the morning and other activities to fill the time between our 7 meals a day.

Warm weather and palm trees were very welcoming.

We got Sari Saks into Traders...our first Florida retail location.

Uncle Tony came down for a couple nights too. We spent a lot of quality time out on the deck....a great setting to let time slip away.

Age finally arrived and quickly took over.

We feasted for a full week, but especially with this meal of scallops, crab legs, muscles, corn, and lobster bisque.  YUM!  hungry just rethinking about it.

Notice that even Mr C and I dressed up. :)

M C taking a breather and cheering on her favorite team after warming up the troops for our big tennis outing.

Even if Pete's game is off, his socks make up for it.  He carried me to a victory.

The Dynamo Duo.  You would think looking at the photo that Age was focused on the match...I wonder what she was really thinking about?

Not just a family, but a ferocious team not to be messed with.   Pete wanted everyone to be clear about the fact that they were playing with a tennis ball while on the tennis court.

An awesome Thanksgiving that consisted of tennis, eating, more eating, watching football while eating, giving thanks and hearing Pete talk about his turduckin (a chicken stuffed in a duck, stuffed in a turkey).

They were thankful for everyone being around and in great spirits.  I am thankful for this trip, everyone who is in my life and the exciting unknown that the future holds.

I decided to buy a car; and with Mr. C's help, found a classic 95 convertible.  I have to say that I never thought I would own a convertible....not too shabby.

Farewell to the Clines and thanks sooo much for everything!!!!!!  It was a great week and a great Thanksgiving.

SF comes to a close...but treated us well

Vanessa's dad came into town for the weekend.  We met up with Isaac and his girlfriend and spent a rainy day down near Santa Cruz doing some wine tastings.  (I was designated driver)

She does this to the men she loves.  She is obviously just kidding....right?...I'm pretty sure.

As I went to spend the day with Pete and Mark, Vanessa spent a day with her Dad and brother.

The following night was Pete's birthday.  He threw a party.   It was a hit.  You can see Mark was loving it. Could Pete be telling a story?

Pete and Vanessa becoming friends....with each other, and with the bottle.

God only knows.

I know, I know...awe.

Mark wanted in on the action too.  I just looked so huggable on that couch.

Vanessa was bouncing all around the party, making friends, hearing and telling stories, while the wine was a flowin.

Jove in his normal smiley state.

It was then time for the shuffle.  If you don't know it, youtube it.  It's the new "in" dance.  Mark and Pete breaking it down here for you.

The following day I went to check on an old friend from high school, Mark Conrad and his beautiful little daughter.

Mark and I had a brother day.  We went to Golden Gate to golf on their par 3 course.  Why do we still get the same score as if it weren't a par 3?  I had to remind Mark to stand near the ball.

We had a great, sunny, quiet day for it.

We realized how not good we are at golf....but did leave with more balls than we started, so we considered it a success.

The three amigos...with the fourth lingering in the background.

Our final day of San Fran was spent with my parents who flew in as we were leaving.

Which do I look like?

It was amazing the haze over the bridge this day.  2 minutes off the bridge on either side and it was sunny blue skies.

Thanks so much for the hospitality and fun times to Mark, Ashley, Beth, Jove, Pete, Isaac, Travie, Timon and everyone who helped make our San Fran/Mendocino trip memorable.