Covid Cometh

Left on the afternoon of Thursday 01/11/2024 for our regular Ft Myers beach trip despite some reservations, many had assured us it was back from the destruction of hurricane Ian in fall 2022. Well not exactly. I’d estimate only about 30% of the buildings were restored and usable. Our condo was running on a generator, the elevator wasn’t reliable, and getting in and out required navigating an obstacle course of construction equipment and paraphernalia. No businesses were open, no restaurants, and no pool for Peggy to exercise in each morning, as is her Florida routine. Many buildings are being fixed, but many are in ruins and will be torn down. Here’s a picture of the Wyndham resort just two blocks from where we stay….

We stopped to see Mike and Vicki’s new home on Saturday before going on to our rental in Ft. Myers Beach, stayed the night with them Friday 01/16 and stopped by briefly on our way home. Their house is lovely, on a peaceful street with a view of a state park out back. Here’s the view you see as you walk in the front door

There’s no development behind their house, just park. They both are very happy there. Played golf with Mike on Saturday then we all went out to eat. On Friday before the visit Peggy and I drove to Jack’s London Grill for the Robert Burns day celebration only to discover I had read the ad wrong, it was to be on Saturday. We returned to Ft Myers on Sunday.

I played tennis each morning, we went out to eat daily and took our regular walks until 01/26 when I came down with covid, about 36 hrs later Peggy did too. We quarantined essentially until it was time to come back home.

Before covid we were able to attend a lecture on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict at FGCU and an excellent concert by Seraphic Fire but we had to cancel plans for other events we had tickets to. Other noteworthy things: we came in fifth at trivia at Landsdowne Street pub, just the two of us. There were 20+ teams, fifth place wins a reserved table for next week (we brought 4 people with us a week later and didn’t so well the second time), I finally saw a Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Babcock-Webb WMA, birding being a great covid quarantine activity. Got home Sunday evening 02/03/24.