SHARKS AND GARAGE SALES

January 16, 17, 2014

Thursday, on our way Stuart on the Atlantic we drove A1A, the scenic route. We arrived at Gary and Diane A’s new home and spent several hours catching up on Lake Erie charter fishing and old friends. Gary is still booking fishing charters on Lake Erie, but only for July and August these days. Even though they still have their lovely home and sport fishing boat in North East, they bought a house and a boat for fishing on the Atlantic in Stuart, Florida. He shared lively tales of swordfish, man-eating shark, tuna, and dolphin fish (not the same as porpoise) that he has caught on the Atlantic and released.

(I forgot to mention on Wednesday that I read in the USA Today about a 2300 # great white shark that was being watched off Cocoa Beach, where we were. It had been tagged and seen off Massachusetts in August, I believe, and made its way to Florida. It was a little too cold for swimmers and surfers when we were in Cocoa Beach. I don’t think Tim would feed me to the sharks…)

After a ride to their marina just off the Atlantic and Inland Passage, we went to dinner at Jensen’s Ale House with Gary, Diane, and their neighbors, John and Sue. Third day in a row that I had excellent fried shrimp!!

Today, Friday, we went to several garage sales with Gary and Diane. They showed us killer deals they found in the past and we were all in! However, we did not find deals today! They also showed us a beautiful white sand beach (guarded) and fishing area in Hobe Sound. Tortoises are laying eggs now and the area is protected. The weather is mild to us, 57 F, and still lots warmer than Erie!  We had lunch in Hobe Sound at Scooter’s—fourth day of melt in your mouth fried shrimp. Tim had a very good flounder sandwich.

Diane, Janie, TK on Hobe Sound, Florida

After lunch, we started for Estero. On the road, we got a text from our dear Wisconsin friends that they had to cancel the January 22 cruise-Lawrence’s mother has unexpected health issues.  About an hour later Tim’s brother called and he was at the emergency room in Naples with Carol. We are very concerned about this---we checked in to our hotel and are still waiting to hear.

Along the highway away from Stuart, a beautiful awning  of trees