Feb 21 - busy roads, busy beach

We decided to join the gang going over to Fort Myers Beach in the morning, before heading back to NSB. It took a full two hours to do the 20 minute drive; about 25 minutes to come back because of construction at the toll booth at the bridge back to Cape Coral.

It was actually humorous. Then, of course, we had to look for a parking spot. We both (two cars) found parking meter spots and walked to the beach. Jason, Mike and Kim hit the water; it was cool for Jill, Lorraine & Sandy. I didn't even have my bathing suit, not intending to go in the water anyway. Perhaps if I'd had it ...

The beach was pretty and very crowded. Of course that's partly because we were right in the heart of things, at the foot of the causeway coming over from the mainland.

I wandered around; it was quite pleasant albeit hot if you simply sat on chairs on the sand. I used to be a sun-sitter but not any more. I find it too hot. Even though I am in the sun all day biking, it's not the same. The breeze keeps me cool; the helmet breathes and provides shade.

I checked out the pier and a couple of shops; we had a maximum of two hours on the meter, from 1:30 to 3:30, so our time was limited. You're not allowed to add money to the meter beyond 2 hours either. Cars around me had been tagged when we got back, but not us, so they were paying attention. Our time was just running out when we got back.

We had a big breakfast before leaving for the beach -- bacon, eggs, toast etc. so neither of us needed any substantial food before leaving. On the way to the car we stopped at the DQ and I had a big vanilla cone so I was set for a while. I knew that we'd stop along the way when we got hungry.

We left Jason's about 4:30 heading back to NSB. I decided to head straight east for I75 but that was probably a mistake. It took over 45 minutes to get there. I'd misjudged, thinking that it was a shorter drive to I75 than the way that we'd come in, but it was about the same. The route out, however, had many more lights and a lot more traffic.

So time to I75 was the first delay, then there was an accident on I4 that slowed us down a little but the kicker was the 1/2 hour spent at the Subway waiting in line for our subs. I then added 10 minutes to our trip opting to use the 417 toll road instead of I4 through Orlando ... all in all making the trip closer to 5:30 rather than saving time over the trip to Jason's ... oh well, it is what it is.

It was a good day all in all. We were sorry to leave Jason, our short visit over. We always enjoy their company. We probably won't see them again until we get up north.

I had Christie this morning; Sandy goes over shortly. Next week is her last week in NSB before moving to Tampa -- I now have her newly painted mountain bike to re-attach all the parts. I may or may not get to that today. I do hope to go biking ! Speaking of which, it's going to be another warm one, with wind from the southwest again, so here I go to Merritt Island ...

Biking, bike assembly, bathroom finishing, railing finishing; I've got a lot to do !

Onward !