Mar 28th - Mar 31st, 2011

Picture from Steve and Denyse's deck looking out over the Imperial River

Days in Bonita Springs have been busy and slow - time you get up in the morning, have breakfast, a cup of coffee, read the Canadian news on line, send a couple of e-mails, the day is half gone. We have managed to get in one golf game at Raptor Bay ( won't talk about the scores), swim in the "cool"pool, walks, play bridge, entertain Denyse's brother, sister and spouses for a day, shop for sink faucet for the cottage ( Bernie picked out a very unique one ), tried to go to the beach but the wind and sand were blowing around so much it hurt, lots of great meals and cool drinks, appetizers and happy hour with Judy and Mike ( Dow's Toronto friends ), dinner with Steve and Cheryl (Dow's condo friends ), reading, bed early and lots of sleep.
Texted with Blake and Vicki today and they are having big rain and thunderstorms on Anna Maria Island. Hope it stops soon for them.

Mar 26th - Mar 27th, 2011

Up and on the road by 10 after we picked up our coffee at the Bad Ass Cafe and confirmed reservations at Far Horizons. Beautiful day, a high of 34 C and not a cloud in the sky. Arrived at the Dow's around 3 to a very warm welcome and a map for their "spot". What a gorgeous spot on the river and so quiet. The only traffic we hear is the boats on the river and Denyse's call - 2 stroke, or 4 stroke. Happy birthday to Katja today and Greg tomorrow. A delicious dinner on the deck, cold beer, great wine, a few laughs - great night.

Sunday was workout day, long walk to beach and then a 3 hour cruise on the river and canal in their "party boat". Kids get ready to put us in the old peoples home as the Dow's have a party boat ! Long standing comment made by several of our kids years ago. Reading, swimming, snoozing and dinner on the deck again. Enjoying !

Mar 24th - 25th, 2011

Travel days. Left DC in the pouring rain, traffic, straight down the 95 to the Florida border. 1100 km later thru the traffic, trees popping out in leaf, sun coming out, we stopped at Yulee, Florida. It was bike night at the local pub, a few sights and good food. Fri we made our way along the Scenic Route to Daytona and then across country to Indian Shores on the Gulf side. Bunked in with Karen and Bob for the night and had a great little visit. Missed Angie, Dan and kids as they were off being tourists. Off to Bonita Springs tomorrow.

Mar 22nd - 23rd, 2011

Another warm, sunny day in Washington. The hotel was still on winter heat and soooo hot in room. Windows wide open and a fan going and listened to the sounds of a city. Katie Calder joined us for a day of Old Trolley sightseeing around the city with several on and off stops to see the White House ( a lot smaller then you think and the huge green area around it we had in our minds is not so. Didn't see anybody important - tourists, police, black suburbans and police dogs ) the Capitol, Union Station, the Canadian Embassy on Penn Drive (only one between the White House and the Capitol), monuments of Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln, and the Washington Monument. The Reflection Pool was empty of water as they are in the process of a major restoration. The Memorials for the Korean War, Vietnam War and WW II were all in the same area - the Korean War memorial was quite impressive. Our tour also included a drive thru a high end residential area and Embassy Row. After a great walk thru Georgetown and it's shops, restaurants and architecture we had dinner. Thought we might try a DC Cupcake but the line was around the block - what's with a $2.75 cupcake, packed in a pink box ?  Apparently the shop is owned and run by two Canadian gals from Quebec.

On Wed we woke to dark skies and cooler temps but the rain held off all day. Another Trolley ride to downtown and we visited the Smithsonian Museums of American History, Natural History ( the kids would love this one - lots of animals and dinosaurs ) and National Air and Space Museum ( amazing to see the  space modules they flew in ). A lot to see and take in. You could spend days looking and reading all the info. We spent the evening with Brian and Katie Calder, drinks, a viewing of their wedding pictures and fantastic dinner at Ristorante La Perla where the 70 year old chef came out to chat and then sent shooters to the table. Apparently to cleanse our palette - it did the job. A huge thunderstorm hit while we were dining but was gone by the time we walked back to the hotel. Night, night.

Mar 18th - 21st, 2011 Trip South

( Steve and Mary Lockhart's house )
On the road to another adventure ! We have travelled only 1800 km in 4 days - slow but steady is our motto. Spent a night with Grammie Jeanne and had visits with Brian, Rosemary, Conner, Elaine, and Angie and even managed to get in a hockey game before we crossed the border. The weather has been great for driving with our new vehicle ( and summer tires ). We stayed in Portsmouth, Maine and it is the neatest little town on the water. A lot of old homes, quaint little stores and lots of restaurants. Ate at Rudi's - jazz band playing, waiters all dressed in blue jeans, black shirts and aprons and fantastic food.
On Sunday we made our way to Midland, NJ with perfect directions from Lockhart. Had a great night with he and Mary catching up on news, family, old times and friends, a delicious salmon dinner and a couple bottles of wine. Perfect night !  But woke up to snow Monday morning...... Could not believe it. It didn't last long or interfere with our drive to Washington. In DC, the trees are starting to show some red buds, the magnolias are in blossom and daffs are in bloom - and it is 21 degrees. After our buddy "TomTom" directed us to the Monticello on Thomas Jefferson St, we unloaded,  unpacked, and took off for a good long walk around Georgetown. Ended up at the Fairmont and just by chance Brian and Katie Calder were checking in. He has been transferred to DC. Made our arrangements to meet Katie the next day while Brian is working. Poor boy. Had a fun dinner at Martin's Tavern on Wisconsin ( sat next to the booth where JFK proposed to Jackie ) and on the way back to the hotel stopped at a book store. And quess who we ran into - Brian and Katie. Small world. From snow to daffodils in one day is perfect

Friday, March 11th, 2011

7 more sleeps until we leave for the warm south. Been a great winter for snowmobiling but looking forward to a new adventure.