East to West to East - March 22, 2016

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Sleep decreased and eyes opened around 8:00 a.m. After several cups of coffee later and packing a bag to head for boating on the west coast in Cape Coral with people that we know from home. We are geared up and ready for our two hour road trip from Ft. Lauderdale through the Everglades and the Cypress National Preserve Park to Naples to Cape Coral. It will be time for alligator hunting and other sights along the way. There is fencing along the highway to keep the wildlife out and the people in. It sounds fine to me because I do not want to wrestle with alligators. What is our first thing to do? Of course, we stop to get coffee. Not just any coffee. Cuban coffee and food at Las Colinas. The coffee is cafe colatta. You only need a small cup for the strong and delicious yumminess full of caffeine. What else is in our to-go bag? Croquestas/croquettes with ham, Papas Rellenos with beef, Pastilles with guava and cream cheese. Oh and more coffee - cafe con leches. All so good. I am more full from the bites of these samples than yesterday but is a delightful experience to keep us satiated until we arrive in Cape Coral. Around 1:00 p.m., the three of us arrive at our final destination in Cape Coral at Tim and Laurie's house. After meeting their lab puppy and catching up, we pile into their cigarette boat and get whisked to one of their favorite places. It is slow moving through the canal so that we can look into the backyard of all the houses. A nice leisurely pace. My hat on tight. When we get to the open water, Tim guns the boat and I hold onto my hat and the back of the seat. Woo hoo! Wind in your face and warm sun on your body. A good life. After about 20-30 minutes, we arrived at our destination. At a slow moving pace, we pulled between other docked boats so that Tim could fill the boat with gas, then Tim and Laurie worked as a team to dock the boat on the other side of the dock. As we were walking along the pier, there was a boat called Easy Street. Someone offered to take a photo of us near the boat. Laurie then sent the photo to Bruce. So cute! Our first stop was at The Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar and Grill. We found a great spot at the outside bar where some of us were in the sun and others were not. Beverage of choice served up to our liking. What did we order? Burgundy braised short ribs with goat cheese balsamic reduction and wild arugula, three beef sliders (one special and one original) poutine with grouper, shrimp appetizer. We were all very pleased. It was so nice sitting outside in the warm sun. After settling the tab, we walked around the docks looking at boats before we piled into the boat for our adventure back to the begunnung. Their dog was excited to see us arrive. After several dog pats and more conversation, we found ourselves in the road to head back home. Were we done eating? Yes? No? Maybe? No! Tess found a location for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. If the light is on, then the doughnuts are hot and just out of the oven. What was the Tuesday special? Buy one dozen and get another dozen free. Of course, we took the deal. There us nothing like the gooey goodness of a melting glazed donut in your miuth. You cannot have just one. Reach for another? Definitely. We arrived home just a short while later. After quite awhile and several pats for Dax, my head found my pillow. A good day. Fun had by all. Smiling. Big grin.