Week 17 and 18 – 3/21 thru 4/3
Uneventful trip back from cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale to our coach in Riverview, thanks to good driving of Bill Hesser arriving around 2pm. Settled in thinking how “BIG” our coach is after spending a week in close quarters on the cruise ship cabin.
Wednesday, a large group of us from the park, went over to the “Beer Shed”, a local joint on the Alafia River offering “free” hot wings starting at 4pm. They were HOT! Encourages drinking a lot of beer. Fun!
Thursday we had a great day kayaking the Hillsbourgh State Park River A group of 11 from the park went, most renting canoes, we in our kayaks. First time for us kayaking with gators. Saw many, but all very docile. One called “Big Moe” said to have been in the area for over 30 years. Fun Day!
Friday off to our timeshare in Weston. Arrived around 4pm with a very efficient check in. The Mizner Place, part of Vacation Village Resorts, truly a AAA five star resort. Lots and lots to do in the area. Checked out the reso
rt materials and relaxed for the evening. Saturday we took a road trip into Fort Lauderdale having lunch on the inter-costal waterway at a very nice place called “15th Street Fisheries”. Shari ordered stone crab claws and we shared their famous skillet seafood dish. Our table was water side with a “flurry” of boating activity being a weekend. Huge, huge, yachts and pleasure crafts. Fun “rubber necking”. After lunch decided to head to the beach. Weekend traffic a mess and we forgot the opening weekend of spring break. Tons of people and kids.
Not bad on the “eyes”, but glad to finally get out of there. Did get a look at the old “Elbow Room” bar, one Bob attended back in the 60’s, the “Where the Boys Are” famous spring break. Back to the condo for a light dinner in.
Sunday we took in the welcome orientation for the resort in the AM. Well done and pointed out lots of things to see and do. Clearly this area is a well kept secret, first class resorts, golf, amenities, light traffic, and beautifully landscaped blvds. In the PM, being somewhat overcast, decided to take in the Sawgrass Mill Outlet Mall, noted as the “worlds largest outlet mall”. After walking all afternoon, I can attest to the same. Shari did pick up some gift items.
Had a lovely lunch at the resort country club along with a “timeshare tour”. We know the routine, listen to the pitch, get a wonderful meal and $55 cash. Did the lunch, as it was raining anyway, sat by the pool in the PM. Great day!
Tuesday took a road trip down to the Keys to visit Skip & Marlene Zacher (Islamorada). Met for lunch and got caught up on “lost time”. Their house remodeling looks awesome!
What a beautiful place. They toured us to some RV parks for future consideration. Be prepared, to park your RV in the keys, figure on a minimum of $1,200 to $2,000 per month to park. Oh well, location, location, location! Was a great day, beautiful weather, fun to see Skip & Marlene. ps: his new “electric bike is awesome”.
Weather has turned awesome, clear skies and mid seventies. Bob & Shari walked 3 miles, Shari did laundry and Bob walked another 3 miles, then spent the late afternoon pool side. Beautiful day! Weston area is gorgeous!
Thursday, drove into Fort Lauderdale to spend the day on the “Water Taxi”. A really neat way to see Fort Lauderdale waterside with some 14 scheduled stops. $11.00 all day pass allows you to get on and off as much as you want. Runs 10:00am to midnight. To ride up and back is about 3 hrs. Great, no traffic to deal with. Lots of beautiful yachts and homes of the “rich & famous”. One boat priced at $40 million. Shari and I took a beach stop, ordered a Bahama Mama and Margarita, all while enjoying the spring breakers. Fun day!
Back to our timeshare condo to begin packing for our check out tomorrow. It was a great week and we would return here in a heartbeat. Florida weather has finally turned to normal. Friday AM checked out by 10:00am. Headed north to Palm Beach gardens to bid our goodbyes to daughter Lisa and friend Bill. Tried to connect with granddaughter Mc Kenzie in Port St. Lucie at a golf camp, but our schedules didn’t work. Took the back roads back to Riverview, pretty drive. Settled into RV by 5:30pm.
Saturday started planning for departure from Hidden River. Going north to the Villages and Lakeland area and connecting with friends there.
End of week 18, April 3, 2010
What a wonderful week we had in the Villages! Our last week in Florida. Thanks to friends Casey’s, Meier’s, Murphy’s, creating a really memorable week, along with their good friends the Jorgenson’s. Three days of golf, some shopping for the girls, pool side talks, and lots of food and “happy hours”. A great time! 
We stayed in an RV park just 7 miles from the Villages. Not the greatest park, but OK to be near friends. The Villages is very much like a “Senior Playground”, Disney Land for Seniors! So much to do and see. We had a great time! I’m not sure we could keep up with the social schedules of our friends.
