Sailing Day

Bill and Kristen McNair took sailing lessons in Newport, RI and last year rented a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands and sailed around for a week. So they treated all of us to a day of sailing in the Keys. Before the day was over, they had everyone rolling sails, tying things, pulling ropes, etc. Beautiful weather and what a fun day thanks to the McNairs.

Bill is the captain


Fred and Kristen, the first mate, working with the sails while Brad and Sam supervise.


Brad, Sam. Fred. and Kristen taking the sails down.


I don't know what Lisa is doing???

Dinner at Annette's

We took the fish that Fred caught to Annette's to be cooked. Sam wore his special retirement shirt. We had the fish cooked three ways: fried, blackened, and horseradish encrusted. The horseradish was phenomenal---a hit with all except the guys who only like it fried.



The whole gang: Bill and Kristen McNair (Sam's friends from St. Louis who are here for a few days), Lisa, Sam, Brad, Janice, and Fred


At the end we were stuffed, but the waitress talked us into trying Annette's Stuffed Cake. Look at it!! It was carrot cake with cheesecake stuffed in the middle. About a lb per slice and it tasted so good!!! She also makes chocolate cake with peanut butter pie in the middle. What an unusual idea.

Fred's Reef Fishing Trip

Fred, Bill, and Ted went fishing Friday. They caught lots of fish and had a great day!!!


Fred's King Mackerel weighted 25 lbs.



On the Best Bet


The guys with their catch.

Last night we went over to Ted's cabana and he grilled fresh fish for dinner. Delicious!!!

Marathon 2010

From this



To this

The Pit BBQ in Miami

Our annual visit to the Pit. Delicious ribs and the best baked beans that I have ever had and sugar biscuits for dessert.



Tex and Fred are ready to start on Hwy 1 down to The Keys!


For those of you who still work, sometimes this sign just applies. Don't you just love it??? This Pit has all kinds of signs on the wall. Reading them makes you smile.

Drive through the Everglades

We drove from Ft. Myers to Marathon on scenic Hwy 41. Many people think it is alligator alley but the freeway 75 is really called alligator alley. However, hwy 41 has hundreds of alligators all along the road in the canal and lots of birds, too. We saw hundreds (and I really mean hundreds) in the 90 mile drive. These are just a few. I actually got to see some going after the fish. There were so many more than we have ever seen and I assume it is because there is so much more water in the canals as Florida has lots of rain this year.



This one had his eye open and watched every move I made.





This is what the Everglades looks like. Those alligators are on the other side of this canal with only this railing between them and the road.

Sam Arrives

My brother, Sam, arrived on Monday. He is spending 22 days this year in Florida, his longest vacation ever--almost retired. He is using up his vacation time before the big day!! He left all that snow in Chicago and got right into his shorts and flipflops. We drove to Marco Island for the day and went to the famous Snook Inn for oysters and fish sandwiches. We toasted to Sam's retirement.



And gave him a little early gift. (read what it says)


The beaches here are covered with shells at the water's edge. All the sand has broken shells in it---not good sand like in Ft Myers and Naples. But lots of large shells.


You couldn't walk barefoot on this beach!!