Yesterday, Russ and I enjoyed our first full day in Naples. Breakfast was on the lanai. Wow! We look out on a wildlife preserve. The sound of the birds was so beautiful. I kept staring at the palm trees, pinching myself to see if I was really in such a paradise. While out there, Russ read the condo association rulebook and also read through the association address book. He read one of the names of the residents...and I about fell over in shock. The woman was my Sunset Drive neighbor when I was growing up in Whitinsville in the 1950s and 1960s!!! In fact, she saved me from choking on tin foil when I was about a year old. I walked to her place, but she is away. Hopefully, she will return while we are here. I plan on contacting one of her sons to see if he knows her schedule.
Next, we did mega-shopping in the morning at the local Wal*Mart. Then, we organized the kitchen pantry and cupboards so that only our supplies were there. After organizing and eating lunch, we truly acted like a retired couple: Russ napped on the couch and I read 268 pages of a book.
Before supper, we headed to the state beach (Delnor-Wiggins State Park) - - - a whopping 2.7 miles from our front door. We planned on buying a year-long family pass, the best option to pay for all of our visits there the next three months. However, the park ranger told us to return in the morning to buy the pass and then let us in for free. (Thanks, Mr. Park Ranger!) We walked the beach and walked through knee-high water for a long stretch. This time, Russ took the photos. Here they are!
Today we went to the condo clubhouse to register our car. In a few weeks, our development is getting a new gate system installed. The woman in the office was very friendly and helpful. We met another couple in the clubhouse. They live in Cotuit on Cape Cod! What a small world! They love it here and told us we would have a terrific three months here.
Next, we went back to the state park to get our family annual pass. Several other couples were there doing the same thing. All of them raved about living down here during the winter. After getting our "Whittaker" state pass, we ventured out to Bonita Springs, the town closest to our condo. My brothers-in-law will be thrilled to know we checked out an excellent cigar shop. We also drove along the beach road. One cannot see the beach since huge mansions interspersed with old 1950s small homes block the view from the road.
After eating lunch back at the condo, I ventured out in the car ALONE for the first time. My mission? Find the nearest big fabric/quilt shop! I have a project that needs to get done pronto since my guild members want it mailed back to the Northeast to be placed in the early March guild quilt show. The blocks are done...but I need to add the sashing and borders...and I needed fabric! I get a gold star for driving on Rte. 41 (aka the Tamiami Trail)......which is 8 lines of traffic at times! I bought Russ a Garmin GPS device for Christmas. Boy, did that help me out! I met many wonderful people at the quilt shop. They let me know about the local guild. Yay!
I am now back at the condo. Tonight may be a cribbage or backgammon night for us. More later!
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