May 14, 2002, Tuesday- stuff around the coach this morning, buttoning up some more loose ends. Got the new printer exchange from HP. Now we are operating in first class. Dropped off the old one at the FedEx drop point and then joined Jerry, Lois and Ruth, and then Carol and Dick for dinner and cards. Carol and I championed and came in first. Yeh!
May 15, 2002, Wednesday- took the Jeep over for a 7500 service and noticed the brakes were pulsing high and low. Got lucky and they will squeeze us in on Friday.
Did lunch with Ken and Gwen, our neighbors here in Pelican. Nice grub at the Capri Fish House. Probably our last grouper sandwich of the season. They showed us their condo for sale on the Isle of Capri and as a neat touch, shook the tree out front and gave us some fresh limes.
 |
|
|
Down to 18 coaches in the park. Several more, including us, will be leaving in the next week.
May 16, 2002, Thursday- any early start to be at Bob and Elaine's boat by 9:30 in Bonita Bay. Bob arrived a few minutes late and you could tell he wasn't his normal self. He had left a half hour earlier to come prep and fuel the boat, but got stuck in the elevator by himself. The emergency phone took only 15 minutes to be answered by someone that didn't speak much English in Cleveland, OH. During the intervening time, the building maid heard the alarm bell and got the building manager. To Bob, stuck without cell phone, food, drink or potty, the wait seemed like it was forever.
 |
 |
|
|
|
Finally got the boat ready, fueled and off we were heading to Captiva and Sanibel Island. As we were almost into the Gulf, one of the engines, the port one, had an alarm go off signaling water in the fuel system. So, drop anchor and watch Bob pull off the cover. Next with a few tools, off comes the fuel filter/water separator. He drained off the water accumulated, reassembled and we were on our way. 20 minutes later, in the open gulf, same thing again. This time we rocked and rolled, put in a new filter and started back. 20 minutes later, the same thing happened. Bob was more frustrated then before since he had the same problems before and the certified mechanics had gone over everything with a fine tooth comb and pronounced everything perfect.
 |
 |
|
|
|
So, as they say "next year in Captiva".
May 17, 2002, Friday- dropped off the Jeep to get the brake rotors ground to take out the high spots. Ran a few errands with Sue, post office to return the watch that we just got back 2 weeks ago after being repaired, to the library for 10 audio tapes and CD's for the ride back to Colorado, Home Depot for some 17" fluorescent bulbs, pet supermarket for Hobbes' food and the Social Security Administration for new cards (ours were some 40 year's old and showed it). Stopped at the Pelican Office to say goodbye to our friends there, and finally lunch. After more jobs around the lot, back to Costco and the dealership to pick up the car. Whew….92 degrees. Too hot.
Dinner was at the Temple. A dairy meal with about 75 folks. At our table were Lois, Jerry and Ruth, as was as Dick and Carol and friends from Vail that finally arrived late in the season, Ken and Goldie. After services an Oneg hit the spot.
 |
|
|
May 18, 2002, Saturday- up bright and early to beat the heat and possible showers. Got a ton of things done today. Furniture cleaned and put in the shed. Finished emptying the shed and repacking the coach. Washed down half the driveway, then moved the coach over and did the other half. Finally got the car to Irv and Beth's garage on Marco Island after pumping up the tires to 110% of normal (to prevent flat spots), put in gas stabilizer to prevent gumming, backing soda in the car to prevent mildew and plastic and newspapers underneath to prevent any oil drips. Also, put the battery on a trickle charger to permit it to be charged when it's time to move it in October.
 |
|
|
Bad news today. Lois wound up in the hospital with a blood clot in her vein. Three days in the hospital on blood thinner, and 3 months of thinner afterwards. Good news is that she should be able to work as soon as she is out of the hospital, and should be able to travel for Steve and Becky's wedding. Here's hoping for a fast and complete recovery.
Dinner was to include Lois, Jerry and Ruth, but only Sue and I made it to Bob and Elaine's. Another great meal, our last supper with them, as they say, until we meet again in Vail for the wedding.
May 19, 2002, Sunday- our last day at Pelican. It's time to reflect for a moment. This winter has been mainly a wonderful time with family, long time friends, new friends, professional challenges of the property association, and a chance to slow down for the first time in a long time. We built a strong relationship with several couples in our new temple, and got to the point where it really feels like home.
The only downside, which did curtail some of the things we had hoped to accomplish this winter, was the continued decline on the stock market, to the point of our seriously revisiting our future travel plans. Hopefully the slide is close to being finished, after 2 plus years, and that with seasonal work next winter in Naples, we can get back on track.
Our afternoon was spent with Jerry and Lois at the Naples Hospital, where, naturally, we played two games of "hand and foot". Play was on the hospital tray table, cozy and comfy. Jerry and I graciously came in second, twice. Maybe it was because Jerry sat on a small corner of the bed and I sat on a covered commode.
 |
 |
|
|
|
Afterwards we went to see Ken and Goldie's new home in Quail Creek, where we saw all of the exciting new architectural plans that they have out for bid. Jerry and Ruth joined us there, and then the six of us went to Bha Bha's for a Persian Dinner, tastefully prepared with just the right spices. With some Turkish Coffee for desert I was wired for the night. It was good, but also loaded with caffine.
Saying so-long to Ruth was hard but she has the good spirit to tell us that she will prepare us her favorite veal steak when we return in late October. We shall hold her to it.
|
CLICK HERE TO: |
|
|
|
|
