December 8, 2016

Kim and I drove down A1A from Fort Lauderdale to Miami Beach around noon. I was in a Coricidin-induced coma, having acquired a head cold. Apparently Kate has a cold, too. Either we got it from Kim, or we picked it up at the Kennedy Space Center. Kate is blaming Kim. We talked to her while were driving down A1A. Dallas is having unseasonably cold weather, and she is freezing – and snot-ridden. We told her that the humidity here is unbearable, but that didn’t make her feel better.

​We had lunch at a Cuban restaurant in Miami Beach, then we went for a walk on South Beach. The rain, which was long promised, began not long after we started walking. It ranged from drizzle to downpour. Kim gave me his umbrella, and sacrificed himself as we headed back to the car. When we got close, I remained under the awning of a commercial building, and Kim continued with the brolly to fetch “Sunny,” their car is sunshine yellow Fiat. Unfortunately, every passing taxi made me think it was Kim returning for me!

It took us over an hour to drive the 31 miles back to the Gulag – Kim’s name for the RV park. Upon arrival, we took a driving tour of the other side of the park and discovered that its tenants keep their sites in better repair. Kim walked back there after we parked to check out those toilet and shower facilities: he reported that they are better but still grim.

Yesterday, I did some research on RV parks on the Gulf Coast of Florida. I found a place on Estero Island south of Fort Myers. Part of the park is right on the beach, and Publix and Enterprise are nearby. I called to inquire about rates and availability. I was told that I could only stay from the 17th to the 24th for $650 plus tax because the park is booked for the holidays. Neither the duration of the stay nor the cost worked for me, so I kept researching. I found nothing I liked on the Gulf Coast, so I called the park we just left in Melbourne Beach. I could have a site without a view of the Indian River for $1,440 plus tax per month. I called this morning and booked it. The park has multiple pools, multiple tennis courts, exercise classes, is well kept, is across the street from the Atlantic Ocean, and the people are really friendly – and 70-something. There is a Publix market two miles away, and I can ride my bike there on a path. There is an animal clinic beside the park's office, so if Addison or Jasper need veterinary care that is easy. I can ride my bike to Super Cuts if I decide I need a haircut (next week will mark five months since my last!). And, a very nice young man named William at Enterprise said he'd deliver a car to me if I need one. Bingo! Now I need a tennis pro and tennis gear!

I plan on becoming an expert on 70-somethings while I'm staying at the park in Melbourne Beach. I'll do aqua-fitness, shuffleboard, and cocktails. Jean warned me not to do boogie-boogie with them because Floridian geriatrics all have STDs. Right. I'm not planning on getting to know them THAT well!