Florida West Coast

We moved from Disney World to Dunedin, on the west coast of Florida, so we could visit with our dear and longtime friend, Pat Joseph, her daughter Susie and son-in-law Tom. As you may remember from one of our blogs earlier this year, Pat's husband Bob passed away last March. He was truly missed on this visit. Our time there flew by as we seemed to go out to dinner almost everyday.  One evening Susie and Tom drove over in their golf cart and we had a great meal at the Lucky  Lobster. On another occasion we ate at a Florida Chain called Ford's Garage. The restaurant theme is all about old Ford cars, with two outside the restaurant and one hanging over the bar inside. Even the sinks in the bathroom were made of car tires. The burgers were just as exciting as the decor.

Josie and I did one whole morning of antiquing, and we were lucky enough to find a great addition to her collection. That day we passed by a restaurant that said it had a "Hall of Fame" Cuban Sandwich so we had to stop in and try one. It was large enough we split one and also had a side of delicious black beans. 

 I played a round of golf at the Dunedin Country Club and was surprised to find that it was designed by the famous golf course architect, Donald Ross, and that many of the greatest golfers in the world had played there.

Our RV friends Lee and Carol are from the Bradenton, Sarasota area and they have purchased a beautiful Condo right on the Manatee River. We had a scrumptious dinner at their new place and enjoyed the sunset from their balcony. The next week Lee invited me to play golf at Lakewood Ranch with two of his friends. Bob and Rich. We had a fun round and it would not be golf in Florida without seeing an alligator. 

I was able to get out on the water two days with my Navy Buddy, Tom. We boated out to Egmont Key one day and then waded on in to help set up tents for the Egmont Key Open House the next day. We rewarded ourselves after a hard day's work with a nice meal at a waterside grill. 

A few days later we returned to Egmont Key and fished the area. We had a fun day catching Speckled Trout, Spanish Mackerel, Lady Fish and beautiful Perch. We practiced catch and release and let them all go.

While Tom and I fished the ladies went antiquing and Josie found a Salt and Pepper set for her collection at a store Paula knew about. They went out to lunch and then came back and played Mah Jongg. 

Tom and Paula had us over for dinner one evening and as Chef Tommy prepared another one of his fantastic meals, Paula and Josie played Mah Jongg. I will try to do justice to the description of this fabulous meal. Josie did provide the dessert. 

                                                                            Appetizers  
                          Marcona Almonds, Pistachio Peanuts, Kalamata Olives, Cheese Cubes
                                                                           
                                                                            First Course 
                          Tuscan Broiled Shrimp Wrapped in Prosciutto, Flambe' with Sambuca   

                                                                           Second Course 
                                                     Ribollita Peasant Soup with Italian Bread

                                                                            Main Courses
                                                  Roast Turkey Breast with a Bacon Blanket,
                                        Mushroom Gravy, Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Ginger,     
                                        Moroccan Roast Beets with Pomegranate and Pistachio,
                                                    Creamed Spinach with Coconut Milk 

                                                                                Dessert 
                                               Cranberry Clafoutis with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Later in the week we had at dinner at a fun local place, called the Linger Lodge. It was owned by taxidermist for many years so the place is decorated with dead animals many of which he found on the road. He even printed up a road kill menu. 

We were very surprised when we were contacted by an old friend from Virginia who saw a post of ours on Facebook and realized we were staying only 2 miles from where he is now living.  Bob and his friend Marty invited us over to their beautiful home for drinks and then we had another great dinner at the Linger Lodge. Bob is the uncle of the first family Josie was a Nanny for, and we have known him for years. We had a great time catching up. 

I was able to bird at the Celery Fields, a local birding hot spot. Not only did I get some nice bird pictures but took a few of the local Flora also, Spider Lilies and Water Hyacinths. It would not be birding in central Florida if you did not see at least one gator.  

We are now parked in Delray Beach, Florida till April 1, 2020.