The Big Trip

Ken teaching Abby how to ride a motorcycle. She loved it. Rose relaxing at Suzanne and John’s condo. Rose making a beach in a bottle craft at our campground. The finished product. Lights and all. The lady in charge of the craft, Wanda,  discouraged Rose from hiding all of the creatures in the sand.  (We just have to remember to secure it when traveling or  that won’t be fun.) Abby and I ate at the Japanese restaurant  Stix for an early dinner. Early dinners aka Happy Hours are very  popular here, especially for the older crowd. We returned to Bistro La Baguette for Saturday pastries. Rose guarding the pastries. Croissants, pains au chocolats, apple strudel,  chocolate twist, and coconut ball. We saw quite a few alligators on our way to Miami.  In fact, the road we took is nicknamed “Alligator Alley.” Cecibon Haitian restaurant in Little Haiti, Miami.  Excellent chicken, spicy meatballs, plantains,  homemade lemonade and more.  Little Haiti  Bike/walking trail 2 miles round trip nearby 

Suzanne (Ken’s sister), Rose, Abby and me surprising Ken with his old high school football jerseys during the Super Bowl game Sign I encountered while biking  Tigertail beach on Marco Island Raccoon having lunch  Lots of seashells at Tigertail Beach Ken, Abby, me, Suzanne and Rose at beach  Same beach  Rose at beach  Dinner at Le Camper *  * The Camper Ken treated us to dinner for Valentine’s Day  Ken and me Aunt Suzanne and Rose Us four  Aunt Suzanne with Rose and Abby Aunt Suzanne and Abby Abby Suzanne and Ken Rose’s new hair  Leanna’s Beauty Salon did an amazing job  Rose did great sitting for 7 hours  Saturday morning pastries at the Bistro La Baguette, a short walk  from our campground  Gopher tortoises One of the 500 burrowing owls on Marco Island who nest underground  Another great week. Abby is still visiting with us which has been great. We enjoyed time at the beach on Marco Island, our campground pool, Aunt Suzanne’s condo pool, and more. The weather has been quite warm durin

Rose at Bistro La Baguette in Naples. Croissants were amazing. Abby, Rose and me Rose and Abby Rose, Abby and Ken Rose (new beachy outfit) Celebrating Abby’s 18th birthday. Rose made this strawberry heart cake and played Happy Birthday on her violin. Of age to gamble. Of age to lose at gambling and gain wisdom.  She’s 18! Abby in Downtown Naples Rose and Abby in Downtown Naples First alligator sighting  Dewayne (Ken’s brother) flew over from Austin to meet us and treat us to Mexican for Abby’s birthday celebration on the 9th  (Still celebrating) The Cafe breakfast in Naples Abby and me after hair appointments at the House of Blondes (great place) Uncle DeWayne and Abby Wow! A great week with warm (hot at times) weather and great company. Abby flew in to celebrate her 18th birthday with us and Ken’s brother flew in as well. 18 doesn’t signify a lot but responsibilities. Maybe that’s the point. She can now vote, be called for jury duty, donate blood, join the military, enter into a contr