February 11 - Naples, Florida

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 contract, gamble and more. Fun stuff! Lol 

We started the week with long routine dental appointments (only ones we should need on the road). Since we are here a month, it’s easier to schedule appointments in places like this. 

It was a lot of fun hanging out with Abby and celebrating her birthday. She wanted a hair appointment for her 18th and we spent a good chunk of Saturday at the House of Blondes. She spent one night at the camper but otherwise has been “roughing it” at Aunt Suzanne’s and Uncle John’s who have a beautiful condo 20 minutes from our campground. 

We have been enjoying the pool at the campground and biking and kick scootering. I’ve been able to do a few 10 plus mile bike rides as long as I start early (mid 70s is just too hot to be biking) but there is SO much traffic and Florida apparently has a reputation for the worst drivers so seek out bike paths and sidewalks. So far we’ve seen many people who speed through red lights, drive the wrong way on a 3 lane road, get their car stuck in the bushes in the median facing the opposite direction of the flow of traffic, and that’s just before 10am! Because of the many snowbirds and older drivers, locals say this is normal. 

Ken is still running, Rose is still being a great student, and I’m feeling better and still missing Alaska. 

Thank you for the prayers for health and safety.