Old Friends and Valentine's Day

Sun. Feb. 13-Mon. Feb. 14: The frost was heavy in the shaded areas as we got on our way early Sunday morning. We did well to leave by about 8:15 because we figured we were about 3 hours from John and Brenda Sternberg’s “Beach House” at Redington Beach, north of St. Petersburg. Highway 98 was divided and there was little traffic so we made good time most of the way. As we got closer we got on a limited access toll way with toll booths surprisingly close together. It cost us about $10.00 in tolls to go about an hour but it was smooth sailing. Traffic and driving got more hectic the closer we got, but we found the house without trouble, arriving around 11:30. We chatted with John and Brenda until Ross and Pat arrived around 1:00. John grilled burgers and chicken and we had a nice lunch. Then the six of us walked on the Gulf beach, just three blocks away. After enjoying Brenda’s yummy strawberry/blueberry trifle the four visitors all left around 5:00. Our next state park, Little Manatee River, was only about 45 minutes away, to the east side of Tampa Bay. It’s another really nice park with water and electricity on our site. They’re in the country/farm land but close enough to town to have good TV and phone reception. After a small supper we watched some of the Grammy awards and went to bed. Monday morning (Valentine’s Day!) Marv drove me about 45 minutes away to the Tampa International Airport where I caught my 10:55 AirTran flight to Indianapolis. Diane and Chris drove me to the Penquites’ house, where Angie and Bill were still present and, best of all, Craig, Sarah and Analyn were home from the hospital! I would do my best to keep the boys occupied and help out Sarah while Marv picked up his mom on Tuesday to celebrate her 90^th birthday and take her to Saddlebag Resort in Lake Wales for her to stay with Uncle Max and Aunt Donna, and stay in a rental trailer himself until I return on Saturday. (From Marv) Feb. 14, Valentines Day: Well I spent Valentine’s Day morning sending my Valentine away for a week. Peggy left for Indianapolis this morning at 11:00. She arrived at Sarah and Craig’s and called me by 2:00. Analyn and Sarah are home, YEA, and Bill and Angie were leaving. I came back to the camper, tested out the new solar panel and took a bike ride around the park. Beautiful day and beautiful park; if Peggy were here we would probably have tried the kayak on the river. I did a couple of other little fixes on the bikes and camper and spent much of the afternoon reading in the warm sunny 74 degrees!