We
arrived at my brother's house (Al and Marlys Shallbetter) in Saint James
City on Pine Island Florida on Friday May 21st. This is the view from the
backyard of their house. As you can imagine, it has been very difficult
for us to leave this location. It has been just a little over two years
since we visited Al and Marlys and we are enjoying their hospitality and
company very much. We also had an opportunity to meet his son Gary again
after probably 35 years. He lives in Naples, Florida which is just down
the coast about 60 miles. I also met with my oldest brothers son, Dale and
his wife Susan. They live in Boca Raton and have a commercial cleaning business.
Meeting both of them again was a real hoot for me.
This
picture was taken from the street. Our 5th wheel is actually parked on
the lot next door but we have the same view you see in the picture to
the left.
On
Saturday (5/22) Al and Marlys took us to one of their favorite island beaches
to swim and enjoy the sun and sand. The weather has been perfect and the
water temp. is in the mid-80s which is absolutely perfect swimming temp.
Al has two dogs, one of which loves to swim and is always the first in the
water after we stop. She even knows how to climb the ladder to get back
into the boat.
On Tuesday
night we took a moonlight ride on the bay. We left just before sunset so
we were able to enjoy the beautiful evening sky at the sun slowly settled
in the West. We were treated to porpoise playing near us and also to the
gentle hum of mesquitos as they seached out warm blood. We were able to
solve the latter with generous swabs of mesquito repellant.